IBBC Hosts Iraqi and UK Ministers in Westminster

The Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) hosted two senior Iraqi ministers, along with FCDO Minister Hamish Falconer, at the prestigious One Great George Street in Westminster. The distinguished attendees included H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Mr. Hayan Abdul Ghani, Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Minister of Oil; H.E. Mr. Mohammed Sahib Al-Daraji, Technical Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister; and Dr. Abdulkareem Al-Faisal, Chair of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee (PMAC). Also present were Professor Hamid Khalaf Ahmed, Prime Minister’s Advisor and Executive Director at the Higher Committee for Education Development in Iraq; H.E. Mr. Stephen Hitchen, British Ambassador to Iraq; and H.E. Mr. Mohammed Jaafar Al-Sadr, Iraqi Ambassador to the UK.
This significant event, organized in collaboration with the FCDO and DBT ministries, marked a celebration of the Iraqi Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani’s visit to the UK. The visit was highlighted by the signing of trade agreements totaling $15 billion between the UK and Iraq. Although unforeseen circumstances prevented the Prime Minister from attending the event, he took the opportunity to meet individually with several IBBC member companies.
A key outcome of this collaboration was the UK government’s revision of the travel advice for Iraq. The FCDO announced a downgrade in risk levels for many parts of the country, a move long advocated by IBBC. This change is expected to ease business travel and significantly reduce insurance costs for companies operating in Iraq.
The event welcomed over 200 IBBC members and distinguished guests, including representatives from companies such as GE Vernova, Vodafone, and BAE Systems. Baroness Nicholson, President of IBBC, opened the reception by welcoming the ministers and emphasizing the critical role of the private sector in Iraq’s economic transformation. She commended the resilience and commitment of IBBC members over the past 15 years, which have been instrumental in fostering a shift away from a state-dominated mentality in Iraq. Special recognition was given to Mr. Christophe Michels, Managing Director of IBBC, for his leadership and contributions to the council’s success. Baroness Nicholson also expressed gratitude to GE Vernova for supporting the event.
H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein addressed the audience, explaining Iraq’s long path to recovery after years of conflict and the legacy of outdated laws from the Saddam Hussein era. He highlighted the tremendous opportunities to rebuild Iraq’s infrastructure and position the country for future growth, emphasizing that the economy and society are now stable and poised for progress, with British expertise playing a key role in this transformation.
Mr. Hamish Falconer MP remarked, “Following the significant announcement of a $15 billion trade deal with Iraq this week, everyone must think differently about the opportunities in Iraq.” Similarly, Ambassador Stephen Hitchen encouraged a shift in perspective, stating, “It’s time to think differently about Iraq from the British perspective and look to the future opportunities. This new trade deal significantly multiplies the scale of trade between the two countries and is based on the strong technical expertise that the UK offers.”
Mr. Christophe Michels, IBBC Managing Director, shared his reflections: “It is a great honour to host such a significant ministerial delegation in London. This reflects the strong engagement and contributions of IBBC members. With 15 years of experience in business in Iraq, we have together built a long-term, sustainable membership that will grow the economy and enhance human capabilities in Iraq. At a time when Iraq’s economy is seeing long-term growth and diversification, our recent focus on skills development and educational training is key to expanding the private sector and empowering Iraqi youth to drive the country forward.”
Mr. Jon Wilks, Senior IBBC Advisor, also welcomed the ministers and members, while guest companies stayed long into the evening to network and explore business opportunities with officials and among themselves.
IBBC, the largest business group in Iraq, represents leading British, international, and Iraqi businesses. The council recently published its report, “Is Iraq Business Ready?”, offering recommendations for enhancing investment and growth. Furthermore, IBBC has established a Maritime Academy Group to support the Ministry of Transport in developing internationally recognized maritime regulations and capabilities, with a focus on expanding Iraqi ports, particularly Al Faw.
Next month, on February 17th, IBBC will host its first Baghdad conference in five years, with the support of Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Al-Sudani.