Strategic Iraq–Bahrain Partnership to Advance Industrial Growth
Al-Rida Investment Group has signed a strategic partnership with Bahrain-based Neo Holding to establish an integrated industrial complex in Najaf Industrial City. The project’s first phase includes factories for pipes, gypsum board, electrical wiring, and construction chemicals to reduce Iraq’s…
Fawry Studies Expansion into the Iraqi Market
Fawry, the leading financial company in Egypt, is currently studying opportunities to expand into the Iraqi market as part of its regional expansion plan. A new management team is working on evaluating regional markets, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the…
EQIQ Doubles Fund to $30 Million to Support Iraq’s Digital Economy
Abu Dhabi-based venture capital fund and venture builder EQIQ has announced doubling its fund size from $15 million to $30 million to deepen investments in Iraq’s rapidly growing digital economy. The fund targets startups in e-commerce, logistics, and fintech, aiming…
Netleez Global Expands into Iraq in Strategic Partnership with ICDS
Netleez Global, a leading international consultancy in digital strategy and market intelligence, has announced its entry into the Iraqi market through a strategic media partnership with the International Center for Development Studies (ICDS). The partnership aims to provide high-quality insights…
M4Bank Enters Iraqi Market Through Strategic Partnership with SWITCH
M4Bank, a global SoftPOS technology provider and part of EMI Global Corp, has officially entered the Iraqi market through a strategic partnership with SWITCH, a leading Iraqi electronic payments company. This collaboration introduces M4Bank’s secure SoftPOS solution—used in over 17…
Inditex to Launch First Stores in Iraq by End of 2025
Spanish fashion giant Inditex, parent company of Zara, will open its first stores in Iraq in late 2025 as part of its global expansion strategy. The launch will take place inside the massive Iraq Mall in Baghdad, which is set…
German – Iraqi Partnership Sets Stage for Regional Glass Manufacturing Hub
In a major step toward developing Iraq’s industrial capabilities, Al-Diyar Company, a subsidiary of Iraq’s Al-Rida Investment Group, has announced the signing of a new contract with HORN Glass Industries AG, the renowned German manufacturer, for the design and implementation…
New Platform Tracks Iraq’s Emerging Market Opportunities
The International Center for Development Studies (ICDS) has announced the launch of “Iraq Business Update“, a specialized media platform dedicated to tracking investment flows, corporate developments, and partnership initiatives within Iraq’s evolving economic landscape. The platform emerges at a pivotal…
AI Middle East: Unlocking the Region’s Next Tech Frontier
The International Center for Development Studies has announced the launch of “AI Middle East“, a specialized media platform aimed at enhancing understanding and development of artificial intelligence technologies across the Middle East and North Africa region. This initiative comes at…
Infrastructure Diplomacy: The New Power Game
By: Haydar Al-Rikabi* The global race for artificial intelligence leadership has created a new form of statecraft, “infrastructure diplomacy”. Rather than wielding influence through military power or ideological alignment, nations are now building strategic relationships through control of the computational…
ICDS to Participate in Pivotal Energy Disputes Conference in London
The International Center for Development Studies (ICDS) will participate in the 8th Annual conference on Energy Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in the Middle East and Africa, taking place on June 12–13, 2025, at the prestigious London offices of Herbert Smith…
Can Saudi Arabia Rescue OPEC+?
As trade tensions escalate between the world’s two largest economies, fears are mounting that the ongoing tit-for-tat tariffs between the United States and China could significantly dampen global oil demand. The pressure is intensifying on the OPEC+ alliance, threatening its…
Is Europe Ready of a Second Trump Term?
Quick Read: – EU nations fear Trump might reduce support for NATO, leaving Europe with greater economic burdens and alone against Russia. – Trump’s proposed tariffs on European exports could weaken the EU’s economy and shrink its industrial output. –…
Is the global economy at a crossroads?
The global economy, having overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, now faces new and accelerating obstacles. Debt crises, rising inflation and interest rates, and declining trade performance have significantly pressured global economic growth, diminishing opportunities anticipated by investors…
Iraq on the Global Investment Map
Iraq’s market is undergoing rapid transformations that reflect the vitality of its economy and its growing ability to attract international investments across diverse sectors. In this issue of Iraq Business Update, we highlight a new wave of expansions led by…
The New Path to Innovation
By Haydar Al-Rikabi * From a young age, I found solace in walking through nature. There’s a unique joy that comes with immersing oneself in the vibrant tapestry of the natural world—listening to birdsong, feeling the gentle breeze, and witnessing…
Storm Surge: Economic Fallout of Hurricane Milton
Quick Reading: Hurricanes that have struck the US over the past two decades have caused over $1 trillion in damages. Although the total number of hurricanes from 2003 to 2023 has not significantly increased, their intensity has shown a notable…
Iraq on the Rise
Iraq is undergoing a remarkable transformation across key sectors—from real estate and hospitality to energy and education. With global hotel chains establishing a presence, international firms like Chestertons expanding into Baghdad, and strategic partnerships such as Siemens Energy’s engagement in…
Iraq’s Investment Surge
The tides of economic transformation are gaining momentum in Iraq. From billion-dollar real estate ventures to sweeping infrastructure upgrades, the country is undergoing a redefinition of its investment landscape. In this edition, we spotlight a wave of major developments that…
What If U.S. Forces Withdraw from Syria?
The sudden and unexpected collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has raised pressing questions about the country’s future, the actors vying for control, and how these forces will interact with their neighbors and the wider international community. Today, the…
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