By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Trade has highlighted plans to support the development of youth-led initiatives into viable economic projects during the first Creative Economy Conference workshop. Trade Minister Atheer Dawood Al-Ghurairi said the ministry is working to adopt and support innovative initiatives that help transform entrepreneurial ideas into practical, market-ready businesses. The conference, […]
By John Lee. Baghdad Game Lab has announced a new association with HP to support the growth of gaming, esports, and digital skills in Iraq through the HP Gaming Garage programme. The collaboration aims to expand access to future-ready skills as Iraq's youth population continues to grow and the country's creative and technology sectors gain […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has announced that 4th March will officially be recognised as National Entrepreneurship Day in Iraq. The declaration was made during the opening of the second "Riyada" (Entrepreneurship) Conference and Exhibition in Baghdad on Saturday. Al-Sudani praised the "Riyada" initiative as a key element of his government's economic […]
By John Lee. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched the Credit Guarantee Fund to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq. The scheme is a partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), with funding from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Development Bank (Kreditanstalt […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Sunday to follow up on the implementation of the government's "Riyada" initiative and the disbursement of youth loans for qualified applicants. Al-Sudani highlighted the initiative's positive reception among young people, describing it as a foundation for a new labour market reality, encouraging private […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has launched the "Knights" [Al Fursan] programme, a locally-developed initiative aimed at fostering youth entrepreneurship and supporting the private sector's role in national economic development. The launch event, held at the CBI's headquarters on 25 June 2025, was attended by Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Allaq, who emphasised […]
Spotlight on the Artful Mind Project This summer, 25 orphaned and vulnerable girls from Iraq are set to begin Artful Mind-an eight-week program at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS). The program, run in partnership with EPIC (Enabling Peace in Iraq Center) and AUIS, offers English lessons, art therapy, yoga, and life-skills workshops that help these […]
By John Lee. On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani attended the National Conference for Young Environmental Pioneers at Al-Mustansiriyah University, where he highlighted the essential role of youth in raising environmental awareness and advancing sustainable practices in Iraq. During the event, the Prime Minister planted a tree in the […]
By John Lee. Iraq's state-owned Al-Rafidain Bank has announced the launch of the second phase of its "Riyada" initiative [Iraqi Riyada Network for Access Development and Advancement, IRADA Network], following the success of the first phase, which it says funded over 8,000 productive projects with a total of more than 107 billion IQD [$82 million]. The […]
By John Lee. To mark World Health Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Iraq's Ministry of Health held a high-level event themed "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures," launching a new national strategy for the health of women, children, and adolescents. The event underscored Iraq's shift from emergency health response to building sustainable, equitable health […]
From the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Fresh solutions: youth tackle tomato waste in Iraq When Zaid, a veterinarian and university lecturer, decided to enter a hackathon to dream up innovations in agriculture, he turned to […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Supreme Council for Youth has launched "Mubadara Al-Khair" (Initiative of Goodness) programme to empower young entrepreneurs in agriculture, food security, livestock, and climate sectors. The initiative, directed by Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani, includes: Providing loans to youth-led projects. Training and mentorship for participants. Support in acquiring modern equipment for agricultural […]
