Professor Frank R. Gunter, a member of the Iraq Britain Business Council’s (IBBC) Advisory Council, has concluded a wide-ranging visit to Baghdad from 18 to 26 August 2026, during which he met with Iraqi policymakers, economists, academics, financial institutions and IBBC members.

The visit enabled Professor Gunter to gather first-hand perspectives on Iraq’s current economic and political situation, with particular attention to the country’s fiscal crisis, dependence on oil revenues, private-sector development, youth unemployment and the structural reforms required to achieve sustainable economic growth.

Professor Gunter was accompanied at several meetings by Mr Ali Mashkour, IBBC Baghdad Manager, and Mr Nabeel Mohsin, IBBC Senior Administrator.

His programme included meetings with the National Bank of Iraq, Al-Nesoor Law Firm, the EBRD, the AUIB, and IBBC members RQC, Al-Maseer Insurance, Sama Hammurabi law firm and Al-Rida Group’s artificial intelligence team. He also met with Dr Fareed Yaseen.

These discussions provided insights into the challenges confronting Iraq’s banking and financial systems, the business and regulatory environment, private-sector investment, insurance, education and the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in the Iraqi economy.

Professor Gunter also participated as guest of honour in an economic policy roundtable hosted by the Strategic Institution for Public Policy through its Strategic Centre for Economic Policy.

A further roundtable, hosted at the offices of IBBC member Sama Hammurabi, brought Professor Gunter together with senior journalists, businesspeople and political commentators for an exchange of views on Iraq’s domestic political and economic outlook.

The visit concluded with an IBBC reception and dinner at the Do Hotel in Baghdad on 24 August, held in Professor Gunter’s honour. The event brought together IBBC members, partners and friends and provided a further opportunity to exchange views on Iraq’s economic and political prospects.

Reflecting on the discussions held during his visit, Professor Gunter said:: “It’s encouraging to learn that among businesspeople, government officials, and representatives of Nonprofit Organisations; there is a surprising amount of agreement on the nature of the economic challenges currently facing Iraq. 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.”

Professor Gunter’s Work with IBBC

Professor Gunter has worked closely with IBBC for many years, contributing independent economic research and practical policy recommendations on some of the most important challenges facing Iraq.

His most recent IBBC report, Is Iraq Business Ready?, is available through IBBC website in both English and Arabic here.

Professor Gunter is also the author of the widely recognised standard work The Political Economy of Iraq: Restoring Balance in a Post-Conflict Society.

Looking Ahead to Cumberland Lodge

Professor Gunter will attend IBBC’s annual Cumberland Lodge Retreat in Windsor Great Park from 7 to 9 October 2026. At the Retreat, he will reflect on the findings and perspectives gathered during his Baghdad visit and consider how Iraq can navigate its present financial crisis while addressing its deeper, long-term structural economic challenges.

Christophe Michels, IBBC MD says “ IBBC has enjoyed a long and productive relationship with Frank that we hope and expect will extend beyond his retirement from Lehigh university. Frank is a leading economist and member of IBBC’s advisory council and we look forward to the conclusions of his research in the autumn “