EY is the leading professional services firm in Iraq with established EY offices in Baghdad and Basra, and Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
With three dedicated partners and 70 professionals, EY-Iraq’s offices are fully integrated into the EY global network, providing Assurance, Advisory, Tax, and Transactional Advisory services to the country’s major governmental institutions, ministries, and local businesses, in addition to serving investors, multinational companies, and non-profit organizations with operations in Iraq.
Led by Senior Managing Partner, Bishr Baker, EY’s Baghdad office re-opened its doors in 2004 and currently boasts over 60 full-time, locally-based professionals supported by over 280 resources from our EY-Jordan office. The on-ground operations are managed by our Iraq-dedicated Partner, Ahmed Elkady, who has overseen the expansion of EY since reopening to include an office in Baghdad, Erbil, and a third in Basra. The size and breadth of the combined offices position EY as the leading firm in Iraq.
The continued downward pressure on the global oil prices and the increased war effort by the Iraqi government to drive out the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from the areas it has occupied in Iraq have been the two most significant challenges to Iraq’s macro economy. Since Iraq’s annual budget is heavily dependent on oil revenues, the drop in the global oil prices has negatively affected the government’s ability to spend directly or indirectly through engaging with private contractors. The challenge is further highlighted by the increased strain on the budget to drive the large-scale war effort against ISIS. Nonetheless, the stabilization of the global oil prices, the government’s adjustment to the lower prices in setting the annual budget, and the military wins against ISIS have all helped in refocusing projects around the oil and gas and infrastructure sectors. This has also created opportunities for increased business with companies looking to scale up or scale down their operations in Iraq. We expect this trend to continue in the coming year with an improved business climate.
Our bilingual (Arabic/English) and Kurdish speaking Professionals are very knowledgeable of local Iraqi rules and regulations as well as common practices of governmental and semi -governmental bodies operating in Iraq. The size and breadth of the combined offices position EY as the leading firm in Iraq.
We have delivered projects across our Tax, Advisory, Assurance, and Transaction Advisory Service (TAS) practices and have built a robust list of clients that varies across sectors and project types. As such, our client base in Iraq has grown to include the country’s biggest governmental agencies in Baghdad, Erbil and Basra, ministries, multi-laterals, local businesses, NGO’s, Oil and Gas companies and international investors. This has given the firm insight and competitive advantage in the Iraqi market.
Our Middle East Operation
EY’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) practice has been operating in the region since 1923, and our longevity in the region gives us a deep understanding of business in this part of the world. For over 90 years, we have evolved to meet the legal and commercial developments of the region.
We are the largest professional services provider in MENA, with over 5 ,000 people united across 20 offices and 15 countries, sharing the same values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
EY is the only ‘Big Four’ firm that is represented throughout the region as a unified and integrated partnership.
Some of the company’s industry specialties include manufacturing and industrial services, financial services, communications, energy, chemicals and utilities, hotel and leisure, retail and consumer products and allied sectors. Our major clients include government ministries, oil companies in the public as well as private sectors, airlines, central banks, major financial institutions and the governments of Iraq, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
For more information visit: www.ey.com
EY Iraq can be contacted on + 964 1 543 0357 or email: [email protected]