Dr. Sami Al-Araji, Chairman of the Iraqi National Investment Commission (NIC) met Dr. Mahmud Mohi El Din, Egyptian Minister of Investment in Cairo. The two discussed the prospects of strategic cooperation between the NIC and the Egyptian Ministry of Investment. During the meeting, they talked about capacity building at their respective Commissions through the use of specialized training courses in Egypt.

Dr. Sami Al-Araji presented investment opportunities available in Iraq to an audience of businessmen, reminding them that Iraq is “Open for Business”. Dr. Sami also met separately with Egyptian business leaders in the public and private sectors, presenting a detailed explanation of the Iraqi investment laws, the amendments that were recently adopted, and how the amendments represent a concession to Arab, foreign, and Iraqi investors alike. Special emphasis was placed on the industrial and housing sectors due to the growing need for low-cost residential communities in Iraq.

In return, Egyptian Minister, Dr. Mahmud, expressed his country’s desire to actively participate in the reconstruction work in Iraq and reinstate agreements that had remained unfulfilled between the two countries. Both will work toward joint innovation and the promotion of investment and the improvement of one-stop shop operations (an essential part in the investment process in any country). Dr. Mahmud also commented that the amendment to the Iraqi investment law, which includes provisions for land ownership by foreign investors building housing projects, is a great opportunity for Egyptian companies specializing in that sector.
The bilateral meetings yielded 16 agreements and memoranda of understanding as well as 7 agreements ready to be finalized.