Baghdad: The Industrial Development Directorate of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals announced on Saturday the launch of a unified electronic portal to reduce project licensing time from three years to one month. The directorate also revealed that 264 Iraqi products are exported to global markets with government support.
According to Iraqi News Agency, the Director General of Industrial Development, Ali Ibrahim Janaan, emphasized the directorate’s commitment to expediting and simplifying transactions. This initiative aligns with government directives and the new minister’s focus on enhancing efficiency. Janaan stated that the directorate is among the first to initiate digital transformation via the ‘Ur’ platform, facilitating electronic applications for industrial project licenses and adopting electronic payment methods.
Janaan highlighted that the directorate offers 17 services to the private sector, with 14 already automated. He noted delays in automating three services due to their dependency on fingerprinting and in-person procedures. An agreement with the postal service has been established to deliver licenses directly to citizens’ homes, enhancing convenience for project owners.
Janaan reported that over 500 licenses have been issued since the beginning of 2026, with numbers increasing daily. Currently, 938 licenses are being established, and 172 have been fully established, alongside services for land allocation and industrial project assessments.
The unified electronic portal, launched after training sector entities, aims to reduce response times for applications to 15 to 30 days, significantly shortening the establishment process. This move is expected to curtail direct investor-employee interactions.
A notable challenge for investors is land allocation, with 5,000 licenses canceled due to land unavailability. Despite decisions to allocate 1,000 dunams in each governorate, implementation has lagged. Janaan expressed hope for the current government to reactivate this decision.
Janaan also addressed delays in approvals from sectoral bodies, especially environmental ones, and obstacles in customs procedures. Coordination with relevant authorities is ongoing to resolve these issues.
The industrial sector has experienced growth, particularly in pharmaceuticals and food industries, with pharmaceutical projects supported by the industrial localization program. The food industry has expanded, reaching the export stage.
Progress in establishing industrial cities is evident, notably in Anbar and Hilla, with advanced stages in Nasiriyah and Basra. Plans for an industrial city in every governorate are underway, aiming to create job opportunities. The directorate provides extensive facilities for investors, including loans, land allocation, and assistance in obtaining approvals.
Janaan highlighted the challenge of high production costs, particularly for energy and labor, affecting local product competitiveness. The shift towards solar energy for 50% of production aims to reduce costs and bolster national industry.