The Future of Iraq” at the conference table in Dubai. These are his details, 6 DEC

 The Future of Iraq” at the conference table in Dubai. These are his details

2023-12-03 09:19Font

Shafaq News / The Gulf Today newspaper revealed on Sunday the details of a major conference to be held in Dubai on December 7, with the aim of strengthening economic partnerships between Iraq and the UAE, and pushing for a transformation in the Iraqi economy.

A report published by the English-based newspaper, translated by Shafaq News Agency, quoted the “Iraqi-British Business Council” (IBBC) as noting that the trade exchange between the UAE and Iraq witnessed a significant growth of more than 60% last year, which confirms the sustainability of economic relations between the two countries.

The report pointed out that the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, will deliver the welcome speech on the second day of the conference dedicated to “Building a sustainable future”, which will open on December 7 and last for two days.

He explained that the IBBC conference in 2022, aroused positive reactions from 230 delegates, which led to an increase in membership by 15%.

At this year’s conference, the council is seeking the same number of delegates who will meet to deliberate on topics such as “education and training in Iraq” and “building a sustainable future,” the report continued.

The report also quoted the UAE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Industry, Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, as saying, “It is a great honor to join our friends from Iraq and the Iraqi-British Business Council to discuss joint efforts to help the country in the reconstruction process,” adding that “Iraq has suffered a lot but has enormous potential and capabilities to contribute a lot to the world.”

Al-Saleh continued: “The Business Council has brought together companies operating in the field of business and trade from all over the world for the benefit of Iraq and the members of the Council,” adding: “Was the IBBC is committed to a free, prosperous and diverse Iraq, it acts as a bridge between Iraq and the rest of the world and connects governments and the private sector in order to ultimately benefit businessmen, industry and the people of Iraq.”

Al-Saleh praised the Business Council and its leadership for organizing this platform to communicate better, expressing his full support for his mission of “enabling the transfer of technology, infrastructure and expertise to Iraq to enhance its growth and development.”

The Council considered that “the significant growth in trade between Iraq and the UAE, which exceeded 60% last year, underscores the permanent economic relations between the two countries, adding that this conference also emphasizes the UAE’s position as the main commercial center of Iraq, and presents the growing role of the state in facilitating international cooperation.

The report indicated that “the UAE has huge potential to invest in Iraq and for companies operating there, without the need for administrative and bureaucratic functions that can be found in Iraq.”

The report also quoted the Director General of the Business Council, Christophe Michels, as saying that “by defending the private sector in Iraq, the UAE is an ideal place due to its role as a regional center, linking international companies to Iraq.”

The report of the Gulf Today newspaper noted that the two-day conference is taking place at a critical juncture, and addresses pivotal issues such as economic sustainability, education, finance and climate change, while the Business Council expects a shift in education and sustainability in Iraq, with a focus on increasing skills training and industrial cooperation.

In addition, the conference will address sustainability through the exploitation of gas and financing strategies to support investments beyond oil price fluctuations, the newspaper reported.

According to the report, the British member of parliament, Wayne David, a shadow minister for Middle East affairs, will speak at the conference about Britain’s foreign policy in the Middle East. Energy bodies and companies, including Total Energy, BP, Basra Gas Company and Siemens, will participate in the conference, and there will be discussions on financial reform with industry leaders such as the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank and the head of the Commercial Bank of Iraq.

According to the report, there will be participation of senior representatives of British universities, high-level representatives from the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education, and the Office of the Prime Minister. 

Translated by Sharaq News Agency