The policy discourse on economic development in Iraq has often rested on the assumption that the non-oil private sector must expand. But how this expansion would be achieved in Iraq, a country under cyclical waves of conflict and a lack of effective governance, remains unclear. Though oil prices are currently high, the fluctuation in the value of the dinar in 2022 and 2023 has created great uncertainty. The Iraq Economic Review (IER) aims to direct the national policy conversation toward a sustainable economic vision and provide local civil society actors with the necessary knowledge and tools to press for changes in the governmental approach to the economy. Published by the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani, the IER is a one-stop-shop for understanding major economic trends. This roundtable drew upon the insights of the IER, as well as their own expertise, to make projections about economic trends in the year to you. The discussion also explored potential opportunities and challenges for investment and growth in different sectors, such as agriculture, technology, and the green economy. This roundtable was developed by IRIS as part of the Iraq Economic Review, which is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy.
Speakers:
- Ahmed Tabaqchali (CIO AFC Iraq Fund)
- Ali Al-Hilli (Marketing & Communications Director, Miswag)
- Christine van den Toorn (Founder, Baghdad Business School)
- Raad Al-Kaadiri (Senior Director, Center for Energy Impact, Boston Consulting Group)
Moderator:
- Ranya Bakr (Country Manager-Iraq, Viamo)
This roundtable is part of the Iraq Economic Review project.