Japanese Ambassador: We seek to support the investment environment in Iraq and attract international companies

  Japanese Ambassador: We seek to support the investment environment in Iraq and attract international companies

Japanese Ambassador to Iraq, Akira Endo, announced on Monday that more than $21 billion has been allocated to support economic cooperation projects in Iraq since 2003, stressing his country's continued efforts to support the investment environment in Iraq and attract international companies.

 In a speech during the signing of an agreement between the Iraq Development Fund and the Japan Cooperation Center, attended by an Iraqi News Agency (INA) correspondent, the Japanese Ambassador to Iraq said: "Since 2003, the Japanese government has implemented economic cooperation projects in Iraq totaling more than $21 billion. 

Japan has become the largest donor of aid to Iraq in recent years, primarily through Japanese yen loans for infrastructure development in various fields such as electricity, water, sanitation, and oil." The ambassador emphasized that "Japan has consistently provided assistance alongside the Iraqi people to support their efforts in building the country," adding, "In order to further develop economic relations between Japan and Iraq, we look forward to Iraq's continued efforts to improve the investment environment, including strengthening the implementation of relevant laws and regulations, and continuing to enhance transparency in business practices, particularly with regard to attracting foreign companies, including Japanese companies." 

He pointed out that "the JCCME has been working for more than a decade to promote trade and investment between Japan and Iraq through activities aimed at enhancing Japanese companies' understanding of Iraq, such as organizing annual Iraqi business seminars, sending delegations to key sectors in Iraq, and organizing training programs in Japan for Iraqi officials."

He continued, "On the other hand, given the priorities of the Iraq Development Fund, the six areas it identified—education, agriculture, housing, digital transformation, manufacturing and food security, and the environment—represent precisely the areas that the Iraqi government has prioritized under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. These are also areas where Japanese expertise can have a sustainable and meaningful impact on Iraq's future." He noted that "this signing is a pivotal step that comes at a critical time, as it will contribute to strengthening relations between the private sectors in Japan and Iraq by providing and exchanging information, and supporting, promoting, and coordinating the work of companies."  link