By John Lee.
More than 400 companies, including around 50 from the European Union, have gathered in Baghdad for the two-day Iraq National Trade and Investment Forum (INTF) 2026. The event, held on 28-29 October at the Babylon Rotana Hotel, attracted more than 750 registrations from businesses, government institutions, chambers of commerce, financial institutions and development partners.
The Forum was jointly organised by the Ministry of Trade, in partnership with the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, supported by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC). According to the UN in Iraq, the event connected Iraqi enterprises with international partners and brought business priorities into discussions on trade, investment and economic diversification.
Held under the theme "Iraq-EU Partnership in Trade and Investment for Iraq's Economic Transformation", the Forum provided opportunities for businesses to meet potential buyers, suppliers, investors and technology partners. EU member states represented included Austria, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.
The Forum also served as a platform for dialogue on priorities for Iraq's National Trade and Investment Strategy (NTIS), currently in preparation under the leadership of the Ministry of Trade, in coordination with the Prime Minister's Office.
Areas of commercial cooperation explored at the Forum included agrifood, construction and housing materials, renewable energy and green technologies, manufacturing, logistics and transport, and digital services. Policy discussions covered World Trade Organization (WTO) accession, trade and investment reforms, investor confidence and public investment.
Since its first edition in 2022, the Forum has brought together more than 1,000 participants and 700 companies, and facilitated an estimated €7.2 million in business opportunities.
Full statement from UN Iraq:
Iraq National Trade and Investment Forum to strengthen Iraq-EU business partnerships
Iraqi, European and other international businesses, investors and policymakers gathered in Baghdad today for the opening of the Iraq National Trade and Investment Forum (INTF) 2026, connecting new commercial opportunities with dialogue on the reforms needed to support Iraq's economic diversification and private sector growth, at a time of major shifts in global trade.
Held under the theme "Iraq-EU Partnership in Trade and Investment for Iraq's Economic Transformation", INTF 2026 is jointly organized by the Government of Iraq, through the Ministry of Trade, in partnership with the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, supported by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Centre. The Forum provides opportunities for Iraqi businesses to meet potential buyers, suppliers, investors and technology partners, while allowing policymakers to hear directly from the private sector about the conditions needed to invest, trade and grow.
Taking place on 28-29 October at the Babylon Rotana Hotel, the Forum has attracted more than 750 registrations from businesses, government institutions, chambers of commerce, financial institutions and development partners. More than 400 companies are taking part, including around 50 from the European Union, with representatives from Austria, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.
The Forum will also provide a platform for dialogue on priorities for Iraq's National Trade and Investment Strategy (NTIS), for which preparatory work is under way under the leadership of the Ministry of Trade, in close coordination with the Prime Minister's Office. The process aims to bring government and the private sector together to identify priorities for improving the business environment, attracting investment and expanding Iraq's trade with regional and global markets.
H.E. Mustafa Nizar Al-Ani, Minister of Trade, Republic of Iraq, said: 'We wanted it to be a marketplace of opportunities, where European companies meet their Iraqi partners, capital meets projects, and expertise meets ambition. I pledge to you that this forum will not end when its sessions conclude. The Ministry will follow up on its outcomes and agreements and will work with the relevant authorities to remove any obstacles facing companies that choose to do business in Iraq.'
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said: 'Iraq's SMEs are competitive, as we're seeing here at this Forum. They can meet not just domestic demand, but also international demand. These are promising signs that as Iraq deepens its role in the global economy, and expands its trading relationships, that its SMEs will be ready to seize the opportunities on offer.'
Strengthening Iraq-EU commercial ties
The Forum provides a platform for Iraqi, European and international businesses to explore cooperation in agrifood, construction and housing materials, renewable energy and green technologies, manufacturing, logistics and transport, and digital services.
Targeted business-to-business meetings match companies according to their profiles and partnership interests, supporting discussions on sourcing, distribution, investment and technology cooperation.
Henrike Trautmann, Director for the Middle East at the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA), European Commission, said:
'The European Union is deepening its economic partnership with Iraq. We work hand in hand with the government of Iraq and the private sector to translate our shared ambitions into concrete results: increased trade volumes, more investment, job creation and economic growth in Iraq and the EU. This Forum is a great platform to do business and to help improve the investment climate. For Iraqi businesses, stronger connections with European partners can open doors to European know-how, finance and the European Union market. For European companies the Forum provides opportunities to tap into the emerging Iraqi market.'
Showcasing Iraqi products and supporting enterprise growth
An exhibition and the "By Iraqi Hands" temporary supermarket showcase Iraqi products to potential buyers and business partners. Business Corner talks offer practical guidance on access to finance, commercial arbitration, digital tools for agrifood, and quality and trade-related solutions.
The Forum will also recognize business achievement through the INTF 2026 Awards, with winners announced on 29 October. Nine categories celebrate innovation, Iraqi products, retail, women's entrepreneurship, digital leadership, trade, investment, exports and green business.
Amer Khalaf Alawi, President of The Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce (FICC), said:
'This Forum is an opportunity to build a lasting commercial bridge between Iraq and Europe, helping Iraqi businesses connect with international partners and strengthen their presence in global markets. Together with the Ministry of Trade, the European Union and ITC, we are working to turn these opportunities into partnerships that support private sector growth.'
Since its first edition in 2022, the Forum has brought together more than 1,000 participants and 700 companies and facilitated an estimated €7.2 million in business opportunities. INTF 2026 brings policy dialogue and business engagement together to support Iraq's economic transformation.
Connecting reform with business opportunities
The third edition combines targeted business-to-business meetings with policy discussions on WTO accession, trade and investment reforms, investor confidence and public investment. Digital connectivity and green competitiveness also feature, linking enterprises' priorities with the reform agenda.
(Source: United Nations Iraq)
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