Iraq Weekly Program Highlights
Iraq – CIPE partner the Kurdistan Transporters Union (KTU) held a one day workshop on customs regulations in Arbil on February 28. Over 20 participants representing KTU members, businesspeople from the transport sector, and government officials from the ministries of transportation and agriculture attended the event.
Iraq – The Kurdistan Hotels and Restaurants Association (KHRA) held a workshop titled “Development of Hotels in Kurdistan” in Arbil February 24-26. The Deputy Minister of Tourism and other high-ranking government officials attended, in addition to over 30 participants representing the private sector. The event was facilitated by Dr. Mohammed Al Zahawi of Technical College in Sulaymania and Dr. Nasrat Sabir of Saladdin University in Arbil. The event was covered by media representatives from the tourism ministry and tourism syndicate.
Iraq – The Iraqi Businessmen Union-Najaf branch (IBMU-Najaf) held an economic roundtable, “Religious Tourism in Najaf Province,” on February 16. Over 70 participants attended the event, including IBMU members, high-ranking government officials (among them, the Deputy Governor), members of the provincial council, and the media. During the meeting, participants discussed means to enhance the province’s tourism sector to attract investors. Also, IBMU representatives took the opportunity to communicate their message to representatives of the government. The event was covered by Iraqia, Beladi, Baghdad, and Al Salam satellite channels, along with Al Ghadeer local TV.
Iraq – The Iraqi Businessmen Union-Kurdistan region branch (IBMU-Kurdistan) held an economic workshop, “Industrial Projects Management,” on February 27. Over 30 participants attended the event, including IBMU members, government officials, and the media. The meeting focused on enhancing management skills and improving productivity. The event was covered by Iraqia and Sharqia satellite channels.
Background and Overview
CIPE’s goal in Iraq is to help business leaders and other civil society groups build an institutional foundation for economic growth and democratic stability. CIPE’s on-the-ground approach is unique because it empowers Iraqi reformers and creates the local capacity to rebuild the country.
CIPE puts an emphasis on economic development in addition to political reconstruction, because strong democracies require functioning markets.
Engaging the private sector in reconstruction has proven to be a successful strategy for CIPE in other post-conflict countries such as Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Serbia.
Local presence and timely response are also crucial to success in post-conflict reconstruction. CIPE opened its Baghdad office in October 2003. Since then, CIPE has reached out to more than 50,000 Iraqi businessmen and women through its network of 40 business associations and chambers of commerce. CIPE continues to work with more than 30 political parties, dozens of economic journalists, universities, and other civil society groups all over Iraq.
CIPE puts an emphasis on economic development in addition
to political reconstruction, because strong democracies
require functioning markets.
Engaging the private sector in reconstruction has proven
to be a successful strategy for CIPE in other post-conflict
countries such as Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Serbia.
Local presence and timely response are also crucial to
success in post-conflict reconstruction. CIPE opened
its Baghdad office in October 2003. Since then, CIPE
has reached out to more than 50,000 Iraqi businessmen
and women through its network of 40 business associations
and chambers of commerce. CIPE continues to work
with more than 30 political parties, dozens of economic
journalists, universities, and other civil society
groups all over Iraq.
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