Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has instructed various ministries to eliminate hurdles facing the private sector and modify existing laws to support industrial development initiatives. This directive came during the regular meeting of the Industrial Coordination Council, which Al-Sudani chaired, with participation from the Ministers of Oil and Trade, the President of the Iraqi Federation of Industries, and representatives from the Ministries of Industry and Environment and the Civil Defense Directorate.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister highlighted the essential role of the private sector as a crucial partner in executing development plans across Iraq. He stressed the need for all ministries and relevant entities to dismantle barriers hindering the private sector and to revise laws to favor industrial development plans and projects nationwide.
The council’s meeting included discussions on the agenda and led to the approval of recommendations to amend Cabinet Resolution No. 427 of 2017. This amendment stipulates that all activities in both private and public sectors, which offer developmental, economic, and social advantages, must undergo environmental approval. This process will be based on an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) until amendments to the Environmental Protection and Improvement Law (No. 27 of 2009) are finalized. Projects must incorporate environmentally friendly technologies following the highest environmental standards.
The meeting also addressed industrial activities established before and after the issuance of Instructions No. 3 of 2011, which regulate environmental parameters for project establishment and monitoring. It underscored the need to enhance environmental monitoring and enforce environmental improvement requirements, with business owners mandated to create green belts and engage in awareness activities.
The Ministry of Industry and Minerals/General Directorate of Industrial Development received approval to grant the Italian Modern Tiles Factory in Baghdad Economic City, Nahrawan, a certificate of establishment completion. This decision was based on the factory’s approval of the Environmental Impact Report and prior environmental clearances.
The council recommended amending Cabinet Resolution No. 24930 of 2024 to incorporate funding for industrial projects with investment licenses, as per Investment Law No. 13 of 2006 (as amended), and for projects licensed under construction by the General Directorate of Industrial Development following Law No. 20 of 1998, situated on state-owned land.
To bolster industrial projects, governorates are required to implement Industrial Coordination Council Resolution No. 29 of 2025. This resolution demands the preparation and allocation of 1,000 dunums for industrial projects nominated by the General Directorate of Industrial Development.
In a move to support industrial development programs, the launch of an electronic portal by the General Directorate of Industrial Development was approved. This portal aims to expedite permit grants for establishing industrial projects that meet all necessary criteria within 15 days from application submission. It mandates ministries and sectoral bodies to submit correspondence through the portal, eliminating the need for contacting other sectoral entities to avoid duplicate approval requests.
During the discussions, a decision was taken to form a technical legal committee from relevant sectoral bodies. This committee is tasked with studying the technical regulations for implementing occupational health and safety requirements in the labor market and is expected to present its recommendations to the Council of Ministers within 30 days.