FM Discusses Strengthening Economic Partnership with International Trade Centre Executive Director

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fuad Hussein, received on Sunday, 25 October 2026, the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Baghdad. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in diversifying the national economy, developing the private sector, increasing Iraqi exports, and supporting Iraq’s integration into the international trading system.

The Minister emphasized the importance of benefiting from the Centre’s technical expertise and advisory services to support Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), develop trade policies, and strengthen investment and trade partnerships, highlighting the importance of the Iraq Trade Forum for Development and Investment, hosted by Baghdad from 25 to 28 October 2026.

Both sides also discussed supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship, developing agricultural and food value chains under the Strengthening the Agriculture and Agri-Food Value Chain and Improving Trade Policy (SAAVI) project, and the possibility of launching a second phase of the project. They further explored ways to enhance coordination between Iraqi institutions and the Centre to develop economic projects that contribute to sustainable development and job creation.