On 4 June, IBBC hosted 30 members to an online presentation by members of its advisory council  and discussion on the white paper ‘Iraq 2020:a country at the crossroads’. The paper published for the new Iraqi Government recommends a number of decisive changes to be implemented without further delay in order for Iraq to be able to navigate the rapidly deepening economic crisis she is facing.

Professor Frank Gunter lead the discussion with an exposition of the principal issues Iraq faces and the areas for change and reform. Mr Abdul Aziz (Shwan) Ahmed, immediate past Chief of Staff to two Iraqi Deputy Prime Ministers, Professor Mohammed Al Uzri consultant psychiatrist and associate medical director Leicester partnership NHS Trust, Dr Renad Mansour of Chatham House, and Mr Hani Akkawi of CCC added comments from public health, education, political and private sector angles. 

A number of members raised issues about encouraging foreign investment into Iraq, and how the Government of Iraq might communicate this to the world, in addition to strong support for the development of the private sector in Iraq.

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