Baghdad: The Iraqi capital, Baghdad, will host the fourth edition of the Arab Summit on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises- SMEs in 2026, under the patronage of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, from Oct. 18 to 20.
According to Iraqi News Agency, the spokesperson for the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and head of the conference’s media committee, Haider Majeed, announced that the conference is organized by ESCWA in partnership with the Ministry of Planning. It will witness broad participation from ministries and government institutions, the private sector, financial and banking institutions, universities, entrepreneurs, startups, international and regional organizations, and experts and specialists in economic development and entrepreneurship.
He stated that the conference reflects the government’s efforts to support the national economy, strengthen the role of the private sector, and empower small and medium-sized enterprises as a crucial driver of sustainable development. It aims to provide a national platform for exchanging expertise, showcasing successful experiences, and discussing policies and programs intended to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem and improve Iraq’s business environment.
Majeed highlighted the significance of partnering with regional and international organizations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with specialized international bodies and leveraging their technical and advisory expertise to support development policies. This collaboration aims to strengthen the capacity of national institutions in accordance with international best practices and the Sustainable Development Goals.
He further noted that the conference is anticipated to help formulate practical recommendations to support the development of policies for small and medium-sized enterprises. It aims to expand financing and investment opportunities, stimulate innovation, create new jobs, and strengthen public-private partnerships. These efforts are expected to contribute to diversifying the national economy and increasing the contribution of entrepreneurial ventures to sustainable economic growth.