US Trade Delegation: Iraq Represents a Promising Investment Market
Mawazine News – Baghdad
The head of the visiting US trade delegation to Iraq, Steve Lutes, affirmed on Tuesday that Iraq represents a promising market for investment, and that American companies are looking forward to cooperation opportunities in various sectors, with a focus on creating job opportunities for Iraqi youth and contributing to the development of infrastructure and vital services.
The media office of the Speaker of Parliament said in a statement received by Mawazine News: “The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, received at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy to Iraq, Daniel Rubinstein, accompanied by a large economic delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce,
including representatives of 57 American companies, headed by Steve Lutes, and a number of company presidents and investors, within the framework of the American Chamber of Commerce Economic Conference held in Iraq.”
The statement added that “at the beginning of the meeting, Al-Mashhadani welcomed the American delegation,” stressing that “Iraq welcomes all initiatives that contribute to developing its economy and strengthening its international partnerships, especially with the United States of America, which represents one of the most important strategic partners in various fields.”
The Speaker of Parliament stressed, according to the statement, “the critical importance of investment in Iraq, especially in vital and strategic sectors such as oil
and electricity, which represent the backbone of the Iraqi economy.” He emphasized “the need to stimulate investment in the agricultural and industrial sectors, in addition to service sectors that are relevant to the lives of Iraqi citizens, such as the environment, education, and health.”
Al-Mashhadani explained that “the Iraqi Parliament has enacted an investment law that provides a safe and stimulating legal environment for investment, protects the rights of investors, and encourages transparency and equal opportunities.”
He pointed out that “Parliament, as the ‘house of the people,’ ensures a decent and safe life for citizens and works closely with the government through effective coordination mechanisms to support development projects and facilitate the entry of investments.”
Al-Mashhadani stressed, according to the statement, that “the Iraqi Parliament strongly supports the signing of bilateral agreements with friendly countries, as this contributes to stimulating economic activity, attracting more foreign investment, and creating new job opportunities that contribute to reducing unemployment and enhancing economic stability.”
The statement continued, “Daniel Rubinstein, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Baghdad, expressed his happiness with this meeting, stressing his country’s commitment to supporting Iraq in its path towards economic development and stability, and strengthening the partnership between the American and Iraqi private sectors.”
For his part, the head of the US trade delegation, Steve Lutes, stressed that “Iraq represents a promising market for investment, and that American companies are looking forward to cooperation opportunities in various sectors, with a focus on creating job opportunities for Iraqi youth and contributing to the development of infrastructure and vital services.”
The statement concluded that “the meeting comes within the framework of the Iraqi state’s efforts to support economic openness and expand its investment relations with international partners, in a way that enhances sustainable development and provides a stable and attractive environment for investment in various sectors.”
