The National Investment Commission (NIC) has signed the Task Order for Phase One of developing the Al-Tayeb Specialised Economic Service Zone in Maysan Province, positioning it as Iraq’s first integrated economic city.
Key Developments:
NIC Chairman Dr. Haider Mohammed Makiyah stated that Al-Tayeb Economic City will attract global investors across agriculture, industry, tourism, housing, and entertainment sectors, serving as a model for future multi-service economic cities in other provinces.
The contract, signed with U.S. firm KBR, includes strategic economic studies, investment opportunity packaging, and sectoral planning for the area.
The project aims to:
Establish a major economic hub linked to the Development Road project.
Boost Iraq’s economy and provide local employment in Maysan.
Strengthen interagency coordination for smooth project execution.
The meeting was attended by the Governor of Maysan, members of Executive Order Committee 24771, the Maysan Investment Commission, and representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office. Discussions focused on ensuring timely implementation, promoting sustainable development, and creating attractive investment opportunities in Iraq.
Here is a map below of Iraq with its bordering countries. Can you see now why it is considered a central hup? The main Development Road Project is in blue. The pink and green routes are future road projects that go inward from the central core road. The additional routes extent from the initial road to a specific country’s border or ports of entry/exit.
Think of this road project as the U.S. interstate highway or Germany’s Autobaud systems. What is their real purpose? To align with shipping and transportation of goods within a corridor for trucking.
They too where strategically laid out in a corridor from the port of entry/exit (s) to the interior if you care to study their maps. They also have the same main highways going north to south then east to west. Now Iraq is following this plan too only decades later. If you look at the prosperity of the U.S. and Germany,
we can contribute most of it to the ability to transport these produced goods to markets. The U.S. has even gone one step further in deliveries to the home directly with UPS, Federal Express and now Amazon same day deliveries at no extra charge. Trust me as Iraq too with only its 40 million citizens will need these other middle eastern countries for their markets.
Map of Iraq Development Road Project
HOW TO WIN IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST MARKETS
From my perspective, I see the largest impacts that are going to “drive” everything else for the Iraqi economy are multi-level including the banking sector and with transportation. I have a very hard time separating only a couple factors but these factors stand out as the highest priority. Of course, security too is a given and I believe the may very well be at a level of needed security, not any more or less then in the U.S. or any other developed country. We have already seen the “desire” of the CBI and the GOI to lead these efforts in the many reforms in the banking sector including this huge project of the new First Rafidain Bank as it ties to the Development Road Project.
In today’s news we get more very good news in this direction. Why am I presenting mainly only this kind of news? It’s because of all the news coming from Iraq this is the news. Get it? These are the issues they are now encountering and moving ahead with. Again I am telling you they have moved mostly now from the “Pillars of Financial Reform” that I have talked about with you for years to the now using these reforms to build their economy and bring in the investors. They keep calling this the “next stage”.
So, Iraq seems to have moved on to a “next stage” and we learn about this stage today in the news articles too. There are three articles in particular that stand out on this subject matter of building the Iraqi economy. They deal with mainly with building the infrastructure of Iraq and how this will benefit Iraq and can be used in itself to be profitable, never mind the long-term benefits to other businesses by having this infrastructure in place. Yes, it will help Iraq to grow even more. It is exponential. By this I mean something allows something else and so on and so forth. Then the working connectivity of all the parts together allow for the synergy of the end result – the whole to be realized.
Define Synergy:The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
ARAQCHI: IRAN WILL NOT SEEK TO RESEARCH, PRODUCE, OR POSSESS NUCLEAR WEAPONS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stressed that Iran will not seek to research, produce, or possess nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
The minister said in a press statement that the 2015 nuclear agreement included a fundamental commitment from Iran that still stands and the United States has benefited from it.
He explained that there is not even the slightest evidence that Iran has violated its commitment to the 2015 nuclear agreement.
He stressed that diplomatic engagement has proven effective in the past and can remain effective until now.
He continued that it must be clear to everyone that there is no such thing as a military option, let alone a military solution.
He pointed out that the catastrophic failures in the region, which cost previous US administrations more than seven trillion dollars, speak for themselves enough.
April showers bring May flowers and so will we see these lovely flowers? Still no RV and “NO!”, it’s not going to happen this week…lol..lol.. How far must they go until they pull the plug…? Still also no recent news of finalizing the WTO accension for Iraq. I believe this is all related to this Development Road Project too.
So, today I have some more interesting news.
For today’s Newsletter I want to continue the news about the ongoing effort for the economic development in Iraq. My impression of this news is that this is Iraq’s time. Why am I only now showing excitement about this effort. This excitement comes because of all the components I see now coming together and I can see the writing on the wall of the end result.
Okay so another analogy coming….Those of my readers who know anything about cooking know that to get a dish that is tasty and satisfying you have to learn to first have the right ingredients then, take the time too blend the ingredients by slowly simmering it on the stove. What could go wrong? If you don’t start with the right mix of food and spices then how can they blend to the taste desired.
So, what are the ingredients needed for Iraq needed to develop its economy (the ingredients)?
Desire to grow the economy
Investment Laws
Local Laws
Lack of Corruption and Bribery
Low Taxes
Ability to Transfer funds into and out of Iraq safely
Safe Iraqi banks
Safe and Efficient Means of Transportation
Overall Safe Environment
Infrastructure (water, electricity, fuel)
Within this analogy of my cooking experience, I am presenting a video of an interview with a potential entrepreneur wanting to invest in Iraq Mr. Mohammed Khudairi. In this video we get a first-hand look at the obstacles facing in Iraq. These are the ingredients for preparing the fine, tasty meal (or RV). It seems from his perspective Iraq is close but still needs some work to completely open its doors to outside investors. Seems some ingredients are still missing.
He tells us a potential investor can navigate through them but still to be cautious. His interview also tells us there are still many obstacles to overcome and possible challenges Iraq needs to make to “smooth cut” to a transition to a capitalistic economy. Yes, Iraq is a tough market to get into, however if you listen carefully, you will see the potential is enormous. This means huge potential for growth which means huge profits. My question to Iraq is this – Why don’t they organize a forum of small businessmen and get their feedback on the challenges facing them. If you have been following my blog all this time you know that the CBI already held these kind of forums for very large investors many times already. These forums were held in Great Britian and Iraq and were held many years ago. Many of the changes we still see for small businesses. We know small businesses (mom and pop) are at the heart of any strong capitalistic system.
IRAQ MOVES UNDER US PRESSURE TO LIMIT HOUTHI ACTIVITIES
The Iraqi government has pledged to restrict the activities of Yemen’s Houthi-aligned government within its borders, confining their operations to media and cultural endeavours, according to sources cited by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. This decision comes amid heightened international scrutiny and pressure, particularly from the US, which has intensified its aggression against Yemen.
Since 2018, the Houthis have maintained a presence in Baghdad’s Jadriya neighbourhood, operating an office overseen by Abu Idris Al-Sharafi. This office has facilitated coordination with Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) and other pro-Iran factions. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), the Houthis have leveraged Iraqi territory for logistical support, including the smuggling of arms and subsidised fuel to Yemen, often in violation of international embargoes.
The Houthis’ integration with Iraqi resistance factions has extended to joint military operations. In July 2024, Houthi missile specialist Hussein Mastour was killed alongside members of Kataib Hezbollah in a US air strike targeting a drone facility in Jurf Al-Sakhar.
Despite official denials of an operational Houthi presence, sources indicate that “many of their activities — particularly political and media-related ones — have been halted, but the movement’s representatives remain in Iraq.” Abdulrahman Al-Jazaeri of the State of Law coalition acknowledged international pressure to close Houthi offices, stating, “All such activities are being monitored… strictly limited to civilian, media and cultural work only.”
Supporters of the Sanaa-based government, currently only recognized by Iran, argue that Iraq has offered them essential space to resist aggression and support the resistance in Gaza against the occupation state. Far from posing a threat, the Houthis’ presence in Iraq is seen as part of a broader struggle for sovereignty and regional justice in the face of Western-backed encirclement.
