Exporting goods from Iraq presents various challenges that hinder the country’s ability to tap into global markets. Businesses navigate many complex regulations, grappling with bureaucratic hurdles that threaten to stall their export ambitions. Accessing foreign markets is difficult, with trade barriers and limited entry points complicating the process. Yet, amidst these challenges, opportunities for growth and innovation exist. Through collaboration and strategic partnerships, resilience and ingenuity, Iraqi businesses are poised to overcome obstacles.

To contribute to the analysis and action plan to tackle barriers to export in Iraq, IOM led a collaborative effort between members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, business owners and government stakeholders in Iraq. As part of this process, IOM convened 27 carefully selected small and medium enterprises operating in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors from across eight governorates of Iraq, all approved for grants under IOM’s Enterprise Development Fund. Meetings, discussions and communications led to the idea of a broader workshop that would bring the public and private sectors together to identify key barriers to internal trade and export for Iraqi businesses, and to formulate actionable recommendations for unlocking Iraq’s export potential.

On 30 November 2023, IOM and representatives of national and regional government bodies joined forces with private sector stakeholders to host a workshop tackling the intricate challenges hindering Iraqi businesses from exporting goods domestically and internationally.