At the IBBC Autumn Conference in Basrah (4 December 2025), Business Day – Session 6: Gateway to Iraq, Part 2—chaired by Mr Colin Findlay with Mr Mahmood Scott, Mr Ali Al-Makhzomy, Mr Taha Al Tamimi and Mr Mahdi Qusai Almousawi—explored how mobility, tourism and indigenous capability are shaping Iraq’s widening entry point for investors and operators.
The discussion highlighted pivotal themes shaping Iraq’s next phase of economic expansion, such as:

• More predictable mobility for business, as improved airline connectivity and faster visa pathways reduce delays and strengthen business continuity—opening operational advantages for energy, EPC and services companies that depend on reliable staff movement.
• High-growth tourism openings for hospitality and travel investors, with cities such as Mosul, Nasiriya and Babylon capable of attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors per season once hotel and transport gaps are filled—creating first-mover potential across lodging, tours and services.
• Scalable localisation prospects for industrial partners, demonstrated by an Iraqi operator hiring 200+ staff in nine months, giving investors credible local counterparts able to meet international standards and assume higher-value roles.
• Logistics and port-modernisation gains for maritime and transport firms, as upgraded terminals and digital customs enable faster cargo flow and open new service routes across Iraq’s expanding regional trade corridor.
• Urban and agricultural development opportunities for contractors and agribusiness players, driven by upgraded roads, utilities and revitalised date-palm production, creating diversified entry points beyond traditional sectors.

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