ITC in Iraq

This page is dedicated to the International Trade Centre (ITC)’s work in Iraq. ITC is a multilateral agency with a joint mandate with the World Trade Organization and the United Nations through the UN Trade and Development. Working with partners to strengthen MSME competitiveness, ITC helps to build entrepreneurial and employment opportunities, particularly for women, youth, marginalized and poor communities. ITC’s main clients are MSMEs, business support organizations and governments. In Iraq, MSMEs represent a large share of the private sector. In our vision, we see improved MSME competitiveness in high potential value chains, as a pathway to diversify the economy, promote women and youth empowerment and ensure sustainable peacebuilding efforts.   Currently, ITC is implementing two European Union-funded projects in Iraq: 📌 “Strengthening the Agriculture and Agri-food Value Chain and Improving Trade Policy in Iraq” (SAAVI) 📌 “Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation” (BEIT), jointly executed with UN-Habitat, and ILO   ITC’s activities in boosting economic development through its work on the MSME sector, economic diversification, and institutional strengthening, contribute to inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth in Iraq. #Iraq #SAAVI #BEIT

📖 Education is a Human Right   On this International Education Day, we take the opportunity to celebrate the vital role of education in fostering peace and development.   The roots of this recognition date back to 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, advocating for free and compulsory elementary education accessible to all. In line with this, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals include Goal 4, “Quality Education,” which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”   📚 In support of this vision, ITC’s SAAVI project is dedicated to empowering youth in Iraq through the SAAVI Tadreeb online education platform. This platform offers business development support services such as training, coaching, and access to finance mechanisms, equipping young people with the tools they need to thrive.   Education is not only a cornerstone of sustainable personal growth but also a key driver of community development.   The SAAVI project is funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council. #SAAVI #Iraq #EUinIraq #TEAUFIQ

📥 BEIT: Driving Sustainable Investment and Progress Together  Last week, we had a highly productive meeting with key local and international investors, under the leadership of the National Investment Commission (NIC), to enhance Iraq’s investment climate and procedures. Our shared vision: To streamline investment facilitation while embedding sustainable practices, aligning with the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Key Focus Areas: 📌 Attracting investments: Highlighting the role of effective and streamlined procedures to make investing in Iraq simpler and more impactful.  📌 Fostering public-private collaboration: Strengthening partnerships to ensure long-term economic growth and sustainability. With Iraq advancing toward WTO accession, Iraq is undertaking critical domestic reforms to align with international standards. These initiatives go beyond strategies—they represent a commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible investment ecosystem. We, at the International Trade Centre, are committed to harmonize economic development with sustainability, ensuring every investment contributes to a more equitable future for Iraq. We’re eager to hear your ideas, insights, and proposals to accelerate this journey. Let’s work together to shape a sustainable and prosperous future. The BEIT project is funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the International Labour Organization and UN-Habitat.   #BEIT #Iraq #EUinIraq #TEAUFIQ

🔔 Expand your expertise in Quality Management and Food Safety—now in Mosul and Basra!   Following the resounding success of our workshop in Baghdad, our team is now bringing the Quality Management and Food Safety Workshop to Mosul on February 9 and Basra on February 11, 2025!   We heard remarkable stories from participants in Baghdad, including Omar, a Young Quality Champion. Omar shared how applying quality principles transformed his mushroom cultivation project—helping him enhance process control, improve product quality, and reduce waste. Stories like Omar’s highlight the power of quality management to drive success and innovation.  💡The one-day workshop is designed specifically for Iraqi business owners, quality managers, and aspiring professionals in the food industry. Whether you aim to elevate the quality of your products or stay ahead of food safety regulations, this event will empower you with the tools and knowledge to succeed. This workshop is an invaluable opportunity for professionals in Iraq’s agriculture, food, and retail sectors to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market.   The event is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Centre’s SAAVI project.    The participation is free of charge, but seats are limited, and registration is mandatory.    ➡️Register: https://lnkd.in/e-rwCw-5 #SAAVI #Iraq #TEAUFIQ #EUinIraq

2025 has more to offer! 🎊 As we reflect on the achievements of 2024, we are glad to share that our work on the SAAVI project resulted in the “Outstanding Project Management” award from the International Trade Centre. This recognition highlights the ITC in Iraq team’s collective efforts and dedication to advancing Iraq's inclusive economic growth. We extend our gratitude to our team, funder, and partners for making this accomplishment possible. Looking ahead, 2025 holds even greater potential, and we are looking forward to continuing this journey of growth and innovation. #Iraq #SAAVI

World Arabic Language Day ✨ On December 18, we join in celebrating World Arabic Language Day, extending our heartfelt congratulations to all nations on this meaningful occasion. This day highlights the vital importance of preserving linguistic heritage fostering cultural appreciation. #Iraq

♻️ BEIT Green Home Hackathon In November, ITC, in partnership with Mosul Space, organized the BEIT Green Home Hackathon to uncover innovative solutions for Iraq’s pressing housing and energy challenges.   The event brought together 35 participants from diverse backgrounds, including architects, engineers, entrepreneurs, public and private sector representatives, students, and industry experts. Over two days, they brainstormed and pitched their ideas to a panel of judges. The hackathon's primary goal was to develop sustainable housing solutions to improve living conditions and address energy inefficiencies in Iraq, an issue made even more critical by the impacts of climate change. With 34% of participants being women, the teams received mentorship from a wide range of experts, including university engineers, successful entrepreneurs, and representatives from leading organizations like Google.   🚀 Two standout projects, HeriTech and GVI (Green Insulation and Ventilation), were selected for their innovative approaches. These teams will receive expert guidance to refine their prototypes and submit their workplans to compete for an additional 2 million IQD to bring their ideas to life. Stay tuned for further updates as these projects progress! Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation (BEIT) project is funded by the European Union. Photo credits: Mosul Space & ITC #Iraq #BEIT #EuinIraq #TAEUFIQ

🎙️ Listen to our AI-powered podcast to discover what the BEIT project stands for. Tune in! #BEIT #Iraq #EUinIraq #TAEUFIQ

🏠 What can the BEIT project do for the Iraqi housing sector? In November 2024, the BEIT project partners, UN-Habitat, the ILO, and ITC, met with the Private Sector Development Directorate to discuss the project’s goals and strategies for achieving them. The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the Ministries of Planning, Construction and Housing, and Finance, as well as the National Investment Commission, the Federation of Iraqi Contractors, and the European Union Delegation to Iraq. The EU-funded BEIT project addresses the pressing challenge of climate change in Iraq by pursuing innovative solutions for constructing green and affordable housing. Through the BEIT project, ITC aims to engage micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the housing value chain and provide them with the necessary training to adopt sustainable practices. This will be achieved by fostering a more supportive business environment and promoting inclusive and green trade and investment. ➡️ Read the article: https://lnkd.in/e-vFm2WC International Labour Organization | UN-Habitat Iraq #BEIT #Iraq #EUinIraq #TAEUFIQ

💡 How does the EU-funded SAAVI project change lives in Iraq?   Three years ago, near Mosul, tomato farmers were struggling with plummeting prices, leaving them no choice but to discard tons of tomatoes by the roadside, unable to afford transportation costs. Rather than providing temporary solutions like seeds or cash handouts, the SAAVI project took a sustainable approach: forming farmers’ groups, SAAVI Alliances, introducing market-led approach, improving production techniques, enhancing packaging and connecting them with reliable buyers.   The result? A true transformation. Yesterday, the ITC-supported Alliance of Farmers sold 2.3 tons of premium tomatoes in Carrefour at twice the local market price under the brand “By Iraqi Hands.” EU funding helped establish an aggregation centre for cleaning, sorting, and packaging, while WFP provided essential equipment.   ✨ Today, 15 SAAVI alliances with nearly 2,000 farmers are transforming Iraq’s agriculture from North to South, creating jobs, and building sustainable futures, by strengthening local economies. Thanks to the EU for believing in this vision, as trade is now empowering communities across Iraq. #SAAVI #Iraq #EUinIraq #TAEUFIQ