Professor Frank R. Gunter, a member of the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Advisory Council, participated as the guest of honour in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Strategic Institution for Public Policy through its Strategic Centre for Economic Policy.

The roundtable brought together members of the Iraqi Parliament, advisers to the Prime Minister, government officials, heads of research institutions and think tanks, researchers and economic specialists. Discussions focused on Iraq’s current economic situation and the development of practical policy recommendations.

The session was moderated by Dr Mohammed Hussam Al-Husseini, President of the Strategic Institution for Public Policy.

During the discussion, Professor Gunter shared his analysis of the economic and fiscal challenges facing Iraq, drawing on his extensive academic research and first-hand experience in the country. The roundtable also provided an important opportunity to exchange views with Iraqi policymakers and economic experts on the expansion of the private sector, reducing dependence on oil, addressing regulatory barriers to investment and strengthening Iraq’s overall business environment.

During his visit to Baghdad, Professor Gunter is conducting research for a new report examining the current economic and political situation in Iraq and the wider region. His research focuses particularly on Iraq’s fiscal and budgetary pressures, the new Government’s anti-corruption policies and the Government’s invitation to J.P. Morgan to establish operations in Iraq.

On his view of his current research so far, Professor Gunter said “While dealing with the current fiscal crisis is the most urgent problem facing Iraq, the problem with the most serious long-term implications is the growing number of unemployed and underemployed young Iraqis.”