Today Mr Simon Penny HM Trade Commissioner for Middle East, addressed IBBC members online, on the current UK Govt view on trade and its priorities for the Middle East and Iraq.

The discussion was chaired by Mr Charlie Burbridge of G4S, a member of IBBC’s executive committee.

Key insights include the importance of UKEF in prioritising projects with the Government of Iraq and the £1bn pa availability to businesses with a strong UK content, despite economic pressures in Iraq, the UK Gov has not reduced its commitment to providing Iraq with Export credit.

Other priority areas include the development of Tech, Education, Energy, Healthcare and Financial services, that the UK excels in. A range of members were able to question Mr Penny joined by Ms Beverley Simpson, Director of DIT Iraq, on a wide variety of aspects from export credit to the process for access and the approach to medical service consolidation and support during COVID.