Iraq and European Union Explore Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership

The Iraqi Federation of Chambers of Commerce held an extensive meeting with the European Union Delegation to Iraq to discuss enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the two sides, with the participation of representatives from Iraqi economic and governmental institutions. Hosted at the Federation's Baghdad headquarters, the meeting saw the participation of Federation President Amer Al-Fahdawi, EU Ambassador to Iraq Klemens Semtner, and EU Projects Department Director Fim Rimba. Officials and representatives from Iraqi governmental and economic institutions, alongside program managers from the EU delegation, also attended. Discussions focused on strengthening trade and economic partnerships between the private sector and government, and fostering joint cooperation with the EU and relevant international organizations. A key objective was also accelerating commercial activity in Iraq and highlighting investment projects to attract foreign direct investment. The agenda included the Iraq-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, a review of the National Investment Map, and the "JOBS" project for private sector development. Talks also covered Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) with the International Trade Centre (ITC), as well as commercial arbitration, business integrity, and social responsibility in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Future initiatives and projects were proposed during the meeting in vital areas like the digital economy, sustainable and smart cities, digital transformation, and private sector capacity-building programs, especially for companies and entrepreneurs. These aim to expand Iraqi-European cooperation and guide Iraq towards a more competitive and sustainable economy. Attendees further addressed activating the Memorandum of Understanding between the Iraqi Federation of Chambers of Commerce and EUROCHAMBRES (the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry), and increasing European participation in the Iraqi-European Business Forum, held within the Iraqi National Forum for Trade and Investment (INTF2026). These efforts seek to consolidate relations between the Iraqi and European business communities, opening wider avenues for trade, investment, and developing partnerships between companies on both sides.