ICC Iraq was pleased to participate in the launch event of the SME Finance and Development (F&D) Programmes in Iraq, organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Our Business Development Director, Mohammed AL-ISSA, took part in the first panel discussion titled:
“Enabling Iraq’s Business Environment and Advancing SMEs Growth.”
ICC Iraq was also represented at the event by AHMED ALYASIRI, Secretary General of ICC Iraq, reinforcing our institutional engagement in advancing Iraq’s SME ecosystem.
During the session, ICC Iraq emphasized the importance of:
• Strengthening the legislative and regulatory framework for SMEs
• Ensuring effective implementation of reforms — not only adopting them
• Enhancing transparency and access to information
• Expanding credible dispute resolution and arbitration mechanisms to build investor confidence
• Supporting capacity building for SMEs and ecosystem players
The discussion highlighted a shared understanding: sustainable SME growth in Iraq requires coordination between financial institutions, policymakers, and the private sector — with implementation at the core.
We extend our sincere thanks to Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, Head of EBRD in Iraq, and her team for the invitation and for their commitment to supporting Iraq’s private sector development, alongside banks, policymakers and successful hashtag#Iraqi enterprises like Makers of Baghdad who shared their vision and support represented by their Managing Partner Ali Taher.
We wish EBRD continued success in Iraq and look forward to ongoing collaboration in strengthening the SME ecosystem.
