The Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Maritime Committee held its inaugural meeting at the Basra offices of Al Zaman Group. Senior IBBC figures, including Mr. Colin Findlay, and Dr. Ali Jawad gathered with maritime and infrastructure leaders to set clear objectives and action points.

Chaired by Mr. Ahmed Shaban, CEO of Al-Zaman Group, the Committee discussed:

1. Al Zaman Group’s joint venture with DIC to manufacture boats in Iraq and future naval cooperation with using knowledge transfer agreements with UK companies, brokered by IBBC.
2. Proposals for a Maritime Academy in Basra – either upgrading existing Iraqi institutions or founding a new, UK-accredited facility.
3. Progress report on the drafting and authorising of a MOU between IBBC and The Ministry of Transport to establish a broad coalition on Maritime Development

Further discussions addressed key infrastructure priorities, including the Development Road and port expansion (Al Faw, Umm Qasr). Preparations for the December 2025 IBBC Conference were also reviewed.

Members affirmed strong support for enhancing Iraq’s maritime sector, building skills, and generating long-term jobs.

This marks a pivotal step in strengthening UK-Iraq cooperation at sea, on land, and in enterprise.

Basra, 21st September 2025