Texas Border Business
This week, the U.S. Chamber’s U.S.-Iraq Business Council hosted an executive roundtable with the Prime Minister of Iraq, His Excellency Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, and government leaders from both nations to discuss future private-sector opportunities for investment in Iraq.
Why this matters: The roundtable occurred during the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington for a meeting with President Donald Trump and coincides with the second meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue.
The session also featured participation by U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) CEO Adam Boehler, Export-Import Bank Chairman Kimberly Reed, and other high-ranking U.S. government officials. Boehler unveiled plans for the DFC to invest $1 billion in private sector projects over the next four years that promote prosperity and stability across Iraq.
In addition, U.S. energy companies, including Chevron, Honeywell, GE, Baker Hughes, and Stellar Energy, participated in signing ceremonies signaling their intentions for new plans and projects in Iraq.
What was said: “While it may not be a total cure-all, we can agree that sparking economic growth to drive job creation, investment, entrepreneurism, and reconstruction can help alleviate some of the burden bringing a combination of both hope and tangible progress to Iraqis,” said Chamber Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs Myron Brilliant.
Looking ahead: U.S.-Iraq Business Council President Steve Lutes announced the Council’s plans to organize a virtual U.S.-Iraq Economic Summit later this year. The council also seeks to work with both governments on energy issues, as well as improving Iraq’s health and digital infrastructure.
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