Baghdad: The National Investment Commission mourned its former head, Sami al-Araji, who passed away today, Monday, in the capital, Baghdad, due to a terminal illness.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the late Sami Raouf Taqi Mahdi al-Araji was known as a seasoned academic and politician. He held several important positions, most recently as Minister Undersecretary of Industry and Minerals in 2003, and then as Chairman of the National Investment Commission from 2009 until the Council of Ministers decided on November 20, 2019, to retire him for exceeding the legal age. He had held the position for 11 years, representing the Islamic Dawa Party.

Al-Araji helped the National Investment Commission develop a clear vision for the requirements of the Iraqi economy, and he is credited with pioneering numerous achievements, including the One-Stop Shop Department in the Investment Law.