Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed on Thursday Iraq’s openness to investment and its commitment to building long-term partnerships with investors.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a press release that “Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi visited the headquarters of the National Investment Commission (NIC) to review the Commission’s plans, projects, and mechanisms for implementing investment projects across various development sectors and in all governorates.”

“The Prime Minister listened to a presentation on the current state of investment, highlighting key opportunities and projects, and mechanisms for expediting their implementation, in line with the priorities of the government program and the goals of economic development,” the statement added.

Al-Zaidi emphasized that “the government is proud to have an Iraqi institution like the National Investment Commission, as it represents the state’s voice in the field of investment,” noting that “Iraq is open to investment and seeks to build long-term partnerships with investors.”

“The Prime Minister pointed out that Iraq possesses significant investment opportunities across various sectors, and it is essential to capitalize on the current situation and expedite the process of transforming these opportunities into tangible projects that benefit the economy and society,” according to the statement.

Al-Zaidi directed that projects be implemented in phases to accelerate completion, emphasizing the need to give special attention to the ‘Development Road Project,’ particularly through the establishment of associated industrial cities, thereby creating an integrated economic environment.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of developing rural areas and the agricultural sector by providing agricultural land for investment by agricultural engineers and veterinarians, which will contribute to boosting agricultural and livestock production and creating job opportunities.

He further emphasized the importance of the NIC’s contribution to the million-plot residential land project, which supports the government’s efforts to address the housing issue and provide land for citizens.

For his part, the Chairman of NIC affirmed that investment projects are progressing in accordance with the government program’s priorities and that the NIC is working to transform available investment opportunities into concrete development projects.