Baghdad: The Ministry of Planning engaged in discussions with the German Development Bank and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) regarding mechanisms to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the ministry issued a statement detailing a meeting held on Tuesday, which saw participation from representatives of the German Development Bank, the International Organization for Migration, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. The discussions centered on the SME support program implemented in Iraq by the IOM.

Saher Abdul-Kazem Mahdi, Director General of the International Cooperation Department, noted that the program’s implementation in Iraq spans several phases, targeting all Iraqi governorates. The focus is on five key sectors: youth projects, women, creativity, renewable energy, and agriculture. He emphasized that the initiative aims to foster development on economic and social fronts by aiding groups in employment and business development, in collaboration with the United Nations and German entities.