TNT:
Tishwash: Investing in Iraq: Moves to strengthen partnerships and transform the country into a platform for economic exchange
Three main messages summarized the Iraqi presence at the Geneva Economic Forum: Geography is an asset, crises can be turned into stability, and the private sector needs international protection.
The head of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Amer Al-Fahdawi, emphasized to the Swiss and Arab side that Iraq’s current qualifications require an organized international dialogue that paves the way for the flow of capital and the building of smart partnerships that go beyond the traditional frameworks of trade.
The Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce stated in a statement, which was reviewed by (Shafaqna Iraq), that “within the framework of strengthening international trade relations, the President of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, Amer Al-Fahdawi, participated in the opening of the activities of the Arab-Swiss Business Forum.”
He explained that “this forum is organized by the Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the Union of Arab Chambers and the League of Arab States Mission in Geneva.”
He added that “the forum’s work focuses on analyzing the impact of geopolitical crises on the business environment and vocational education, as well as exploring the role of the private sector and the creative economy in shaping the jobs of the future in light of the rapid developments in artificial intelligence.”
Iraq’s location and resources
Al-Fahdawi stressed, during his participation in the session, according to the statement, that “speaking from an Iraqi perspective has great significance, as Iraq is not an observer of what is happening, but rather is at the heart of geopolitical and economic interactions.”
He explained that “Iraq’s geographical location, its wealth, its Arab depth, and its trade connections with the world make it quickly affected by any disturbances in the region, but at the same time make it capable of being part of the solution and economic stability.”
He pointed out that “the economic reality requires organized work on several fronts, including enhancing the flexibility of the private sector, protecting workers, developing skills, building international partnerships, and working to transform Iraq into a platform for economic communication with the world.”
He pointed out that “the current stage requires a mechanism for dialogue and joint work between Arab and international chambers of commerce to monitor the impact of crises on companies and the labor market, enhance cooperation, and build new economic bridges with international economic institutions in order to strengthen the Iraqi economic situation and increase the flow of investments into the Iraqi market, given the diverse economic assets that Iraq possesses, which require highlighting them through international institutions.” link
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Tishwash: The head of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce calls for international partnerships to boost investment in Iraq.
The head of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, Amer Al-Fahdawi, called for building international partnerships to boost investment in Iraq.
The Federation stated in a press release that Al-Fahdawi participated in the opening of the Arab-Swiss Business Forum. The statement explained that the forum was organized by the Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the Union of Arab Chambers and the League of Arab States Mission in Geneva.
It further explained that the forum’s activities focused on analyzing the impact of geopolitical crises on the business environment and vocational education, in addition to exploring the role of the private sector and the creative economy in shaping future jobs in light of the rapid developments in artificial intelligence.
According to the statement, Al-Fahdawi emphasized during his participation in the session that speaking from an Iraqi perspective is particularly significant, as Iraq is not merely an observer of events but is at the heart of geopolitical and economic interactions. He pointed out that Iraq’s geographical location, its resources, its deep Arab roots, and its trade connections with the world make it highly susceptible to any regional instability, but at the same time enable it to be part of the solution and contribute to economic stability.
He explained, “The economic reality necessitates organized work on several fronts, including strengthening the resilience of the private sector, protecting workers, developing skills, building international partnerships, and working to transform Iraq into a platform for economic engagement with the world.”
He pointed out, “The current phase requires a mechanism for dialogue and joint action between Arab and international chambers of commerce to monitor the impact of crises on companies and the labor market, enhance cooperation, and build new economic bridges with international economic institutions. This aims to bolster the Iraqi economy and increase the flow of investments into the Iraqi market, given Iraq’s diverse economic potential, which requires highlighting through international institutions.” link
Tishwash: Al-Zidi’s visit to Washington: A government move towards economic openness
Al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington represents an important milestone for testing the government’s ability to balance economic issues and political pressures, as it seeks to attract investments and reposition Iraq regionally.
The announcement of the visit came during a meeting between Al-Zaidi and businessmen and representatives of the private sector and local banks, where he confirmed that the delegation would include economic figures with the aim of expanding mutual investment opportunities and economic partnerships between the two countries.
The visit is of particular importance as it is al-Zidi’s first to Washington since assuming the premiership, and it comes months after an official invitation extended to him by US President Donald Trump following his appointment to form the government, when he spoke of a “new chapter” in relations between the two countries.
The visit also coincides with a period in which Baghdad is undergoing transformations on both the security and political levels, most notably the project to restrict weapons to the state and restructure armed factions, as well as the repercussions of regional tensions and the recent war between Iran and Israel and the economic and security challenges it has left for Iraq.
Messages that go beyond economics
For his part, Iraqi political affairs expert Majashaa Al-Tamimi said that “Al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington, accompanied by businessmen, has political dimensions that go beyond the direct economic aspect, especially since it comes at a stage that is witnessing the redrawing of many balances within the region.”
Al-Tamimi added that “through this visit, the Iraqi government is trying to present itself as a partner capable of building balanced relations with the United States without engaging in the politics of axes, and it also seeks to show that Iraq is open to investments and international partnerships according to the logic of common interests.”
He explained that “bringing businessmen along gives the visit a practical dimension and sends a message to the inside and outside that the government wants to move from traditional political discourse to focusing on the economy, development and job opportunities,” noting that “the visit also shows Baghdad’s desire to strengthen its regional and international position through stable relations with Washington.”
According to economists, the visit comes at an important time for Iraq, as it coincides with ongoing American pressure regarding the issue of armed factions and Iranian influence, as well as Baghdad’s need for economic and investment support to help it overcome the challenges imposed by the recent regional turmoil.
Partnerships and investments
On the economic side, the government affirms that the next phase will witness the launch of a development fund with substantial capital and participation from the central bank, in addition to plans to finance new productive and industrial projects aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing dependence on oil.
The anticipated visit coincided with one of the most difficult financial crises that Iraq has faced in recent years, following the disruption of oil export routes through the Strait of Hormuz and the accompanying disruption to oil revenues, which represent the backbone of the general budget.
Faced with this reality, Baghdad began searching for new funding sources through the World Bank and international lending institutions, in parallel with efforts to attract American and Western investments, in an attempt to mitigate the effects of the crisis and provide additional sources of support for the Iraqi economy.
Iraq is a promising market in energy, industry, housing, and infrastructure.
In this context, economic researcher Sarmad Al-Shammari said that “the visit represents an important opportunity for Iraq to reintroduce itself to American and international investors as a promising market with great opportunities in the energy, industry, housing and infrastructure sectors.”
He added that “the participation of businessmen in the government delegation gives the visit a clear economic character, because the government seeks to transform political relations with Washington into real investment partnerships that will be reflected in the local economy.”
He explained that “Iraq needs billions of dollars in investments in multiple sectors in the coming years, and it also needs the transfer of technology and administrative and industrial expertise, which makes the United States an important partner at this stage.”
He pointed out that “the success of the visit will be measured by the government’s ability to transform meetings and agreements into actual projects that provide job opportunities, support the private sector, and contribute to diversifying sources of income.”
The recent war has had direct repercussions on the investment environment in Iraq, after several foreign companies left or reduced their field presence, particularly in the oil, energy and services sectors. link
Tishwash: Kujer warns of a financial catastrophe that could hinder salary payments due to dependence on oil.
MP Jamal Kojar warned on Sunday of a potential financial catastrophe facing Iraq due to financial mismanagement and excessive reliance on oil revenues. He explained that recent regional tensions have had significant economic repercussions for the country.
Kojar told the Information Agency, “Iraq is experiencing a severe financial crisis due to poor financial management and the lack of effective economic plans to address the challenges facing the national economy.”
He added, “The recent tensions in the region have significantly impacted energy supplies and global markets, which has directly affected countries whose economies depend on oil revenues.”
He pointed out that “the near-total dependence on oil has exacerbated the financial crisis in Iraq and made the economy more vulnerable to external fluctuations and crises,” warning that “the continuation of this situation could lead the country to a real financial catastrophe that might prevent the government from fulfilling its financial obligations, primarily paying salaries.”
He emphasized that “the current economic repercussions are significant and require swift action to reform financial management, diversify national income sources, and reduce dependence on oil as the sole source of revenue.” link
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Tishwash: Rixos Baghdad: A complete lifestyle in one destination
In an era where cities are developing destinations that reflect their economic dynamism and keep pace with modern lifestyles, mixed-use projects are becoming increasingly important as a key feature of contemporary development.
These projects are not simply about bringing together different facilities in one location; rather, they are about developing a daily lifestyle that integrates living, working, leisure, and social interaction into a comprehensive experience, akin to a “city within a city.”
Today, Baghdad is preparing to host one of the most prominent projects that embody this trend, with the Rixos Baghdad Hotel and Apartments, which offers the first experience of internationally branded residences in Iraq, within a project that includes luxury housing, international hospitality, recreational facilities, and daily services, according to the concept of the “Integrated Lifestyle Ecosystem “.
From a traditional hotel to an integrated hotel complex
Rixos Baghdad, with its comprehensive operating model, transcends the traditional hotel concept based on separate facilities performing specific functions, where luxury is linked to opulence and quality of design, as much as it is linked to a lifestyle based to the same degree on comfort, efficiency of the daily experience, and easy access to various services and facilities within one connected destination.
The project was designed to reduce time, effort, and constant commuting by bringing together the various needs of residents and visitors, allowing easy movement between accommodation, work, restaurants, sports and health facilities, shopping, and entertainment, without having to leave, within an escalating global model in which the quality of experience and ease of access to daily needs have become an essential part of the modern concept of well-being.
To achieve this, the project includes luxury apartments, private villas, and hotel rooms, along with five international restaurants and cafes, a health and fitness club, and sports facilities including padel, tennis, and swimming pools, in addition to a shopping mall that serves as a central hub for activity and services within the project. All these facilities and services function as interconnected parts within a single system, where each element complements the others in perfect harmony.
This system reflects Rixos’ globally renowned philosophy of offering a luxury resort lifestyle, where hospitality is integrated with everyday experiences, social activities, and facilities designed for interaction and connection within a cohesive environment. This embodies a service culture focused on quality of experience and attention to detail, while also providing a vibrant atmosphere that fosters social interaction and makes the resort a natural part of the daily lives of residents and visitors.
Thus, the experience at Rixos Baghdad is not limited to simply using the facilities and services, but rather constitutes an integrated lifestyle, in which residents and visitors feel that the place has become a natural extension of the details of their daily lives, and part of the social and professional circle within which their relationships and experiences move, thus enhancing their sense of belonging to it; as if it were the city whose pulse they live every day, and the home to which they always return.
Global operation that supports quality and long-term sustainability
In addition, Rixos Baghdad is based on a global operating system led by Accor, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups, which manages more than 5,600 hotels within a portfolio of more than 850,000 rooms and more than 45 international hotel brands.
The presence of this global operator is a pivotal element in managing the daily experience within the project, by standardizing the standards of operation, services and hospitality according to advanced international standards, thus ensuring the continuity of quality and maintaining the level of experience in the long term.
This model also enhances the sustainability of demand and maintains the long-term value of the project, at a time when internationally branded residential units depend primarily on the strength and operational experience of the operator, as these are among the most important factors that give this type of project its appeal and stability.
The Rixos Baghdad Hotel and Apartments project reflects a broader shift in the nature of projects that are shaping modern cities, keeping pace with rapid changes in lifestyle, and contributing to the formation of economic and social centers of attraction that are more in line with the requirements of contemporary life link
