"WORLD MARKETS WHY WOULD YOU TRADE WITH IRAQ WITH A PROGRAM RATE?... OH MY BAD YOU'RE NOT." BY FRANK26, 22 JULY

 KTFA

FRANK26: "WORLD MARKETS WHY WOULD YOU TRADE WITH IRAQ WITH A PROGRAM RATE?... OH MY BAD YOU'RE  NOT."..........F26

ITC Provides Skills to Support Iraqi Trade

JULY 12, 2024

By John Lee.

The International Trade Centre (ITC) has organised a tailored training programme providing in-depth insights and practical tools for policymakers who are working to increase Iraq's trade.

The training focused on project management and value chain analysis.

According to a statement from ITC, participants learned to screen markets, analyze trade indicators, and prioritize products with the most trade potential while taking into account competitiveness issues.

They also gained skills to analyze the work of everyone along the value chain, looking for new market opportunities and for entry points to make trade more inclusive of women and youth.

In the project management component, the programme included sessions on activity and resource planning, and the development of robust project proposals. These sessions showed how to plan and execute projects successfully.

The training came through the EU-funded SAAVI initiative, which stands for Strengthening the Agriculture and Agri-Food Value Chain & Improving Trade Policy in Iraq.

Participants were selected from the Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), and Ministry of Trade (MoT).

The programme featured both international and national experts from diverse fields, ensuring a sturdy mix of theory and practical application. A notable component of the training took place in Amman, Jordan, where participants engaged with regional agribusinesses to explore opportunities and potential solutions.

Participants benefitted from training sessions and field visits in collaboration with development consultancy Eco-Consult. This hands-on experience demonstrated advanced techniques and strategic thinking from neighbouring countries.

Lujain Mustafaa, Head of International Relations at the Ministry of Planning (MoP), said:

"The training touched on many topics related to the policy, strategies, and value chain.

"As we work with the MoP, this type of training allows us to witness the strategic thinking of other countries. The field visit demonstrated how next-door countries have advanced techniques, that we aspire to implement in Iraq. It highlighted how economic growth can be driven by the agriculture value chain."

Rasha Saleh, from the World Trade Organization (WTO) department at the MoT, added:

"This training was different and practical for the Ministry of Trade. The group work, where we brainstormed with representatives from various ministries, was particularly engaging. It was a valuable experience."

Participants were awarded ITC certificates at the concluding session held in May 2024 in Baghdad. Through this initiative, Iraqi officials acquired valuable knowledge and tools for effective policymaking, planning, and execution of agricultural and trade-related projects, ultimately contributing to the country's economic growth and sustainability.

Over three years, the SAAVI project has diligently worked on strategy design, building commercial value chain alliances, enhancing youth employment skills, and improving Iraq's trade policy to support the country's WTO accession process.

The International Trade Centre's SAAVI project is funded by the European Union and implemented under the leadership of the Government of Iraq in partnership with the Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Trade.

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