Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan

As part of a working visit to the Republic of Iraq, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shokhrukh Gulamov held a series of bilateral meetings with the leadership of key Iraqi government institutions and business organizations, and also took part in the Uzbekistan–Iraq Business Forum held in Baghdad.

In particular, meetings were held with Jumaa Al-Bahadli, Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Iraq; Ghassan Hamid, Deputy Minister of Trade for Economic Affairs; Salar Mohammad Amin, Deputy Chairman of the National Investment Commission of Iraq; Adil Akkab, Head of the Iraqi Federation of Industries; and Ibrahim Al-Baghdadi, Chairman of the Economic Council of Iraq.

During the discussions, the parties addressed issues related to the expansion of trade and economic cooperation, removal of trade and regulatory barriers, optimization of tariff conditions for priority Uzbek products, acceleration of certification procedures, and development of logistics, including the use of regional transport hubs. Prospects for increasing exports of construction materials, textiles, carpets, food products, and jewelry, as well as facilitating the entry of Uzbek companies into the Iraqi market, were also reviewed.

Speaking at the business forum organized with the support of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Iraq and the Economic Council of Iraq, Shokhrukh Gulamov emphasized the priority role of trade in deepening the Uzbekistan–Iraq economic partnership and highlighted the substantial untapped potential of bilateral trade. Particular attention was given to cooperation in industry and mineral resources, including joint manufacturing projects, establishment of joint ventures, mineral processing, as well as the supply of refined metals, engineering services, and industrial equipment.

For reference: The forum brought together more than 150 representatives of Iraqi government institutions and business circles, along with 25 leading companies and entrepreneurs operating in the food industry, textiles, pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, furniture manufacturing, and construction materials production. During the event, Uzbekistan’s investment attractiveness, industrial capabilities, and export potential were presented, B2B meetings were held, and an exhibition of Uzbek products was organized to enhance the practical outcomes of business interactions.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Iraqi side was invited to visit Uzbekistan and to consider holding the first meeting of the Uzbekistan–Iraq Joint Economic Committee, alongside a bilateral business forum.