Dear Readers,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our quarterly Iraq Business Newsletter. As the AHK – Deutsches Wirtschaftsbüro Iraq, we are committed to providing you with sector-specific insights and updates about ongoing and future projects in a dynamic and evolving market.
Iraq offers significant potential for German businesses across various industries, from energy and infrastructure to manufacturing and technology. With this newsletter, we aim to keep you informed about key economic developments, business trends, and upcoming events, while also offering practical guidance for companies looking to engage with the Iraqi market.
We invite you to stay connected, explore new opportunities, and benefit from our expertise and network. Your feedback and engagement are always welcome.
We look forward to supporting your business success in Iraq!
Dr. Martin Henkelmann
Delegate
I. Market Insights & Economic Developments
1. Iraqi Market Overview in Numbers
2. Sector Focus – Key Industry Insights and Opportunities
Agriculture
- Business Climate
The agriculture sector contributes approximately 6% to Iraq’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is expected to increase steadily over the next few years. The industry employs about 10% of the population. (Source: Ministry of Agriculture, 2024)
Iraq’s agriculture sector, once a cornerstone of its economy, has faced significant challenges over the past decades. However, recent developments indicate a comeback, presenting numerous business opportunities for German companies.
- Production Highlights
In the 2024 season, Iraq achieved a wheat production of 6 million tons, marking a 41% increase compared to the five-year average from 2019 to 2023. (Source: Ministry of Agriculture, 2024)
- Challenges and Opportunities
Drought conditions in 2024 forced approximately 50% of farmers to reduce cultivated land or water usage. This underscores the need for advanced irrigation and water management solutions.
The agriculture market in Iraq is projected to grow at an estimated rate of 15-20% between 2025 and 2028, highlighting a demand for modern farming technologies.
Iraq is actively seeking foreign technologies to revitalize its agriculture sector. (Source: Ministry of Agriculture, 2024)
Why German companies should engage?
Germany’s reputation for excellence in agricultural machinery, irrigation systems,and sustainable farming practices positions its companies as ideal partners for Iraq’s agricultural revitalization. Business opportunities include: Modernization of farming practices by introducing state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to enhance productivity; Infrastructure development by building facilities for storage, processing, and distribution to reduce post-harvest losses; and Capacity building by training local farmers and technicians, fostering knowledge transfer, and ensuring the sustainability of projects.
II. Tenders and Projects
The Iraqi government is making significant investments in infrastructure, energy, and various industrial sectors to promote economic diversification. As part of this, public tenders and projects are frequently announced, presenting opportunities for international businesses to engage in Iraq’s growing market.
The Ministry of Planning in Baghdad regularly publishes official tenders and project opportunities across various industries, offering access to government contracts. Please find below the link to the latest tenders and projects in Iraq:
III. Press Release
Iraq Joins the Global Solar Energy Movement
Iraq is set to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to boost solar energy use and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. As part of its strategy, Iraq aims to generate 12,000 megawatts of solar power by 2030, partnering with global firms like TotalEnergies and PetroChina to develop large-scale solar projects.
Source: Iraqi News
Iraq & Germany Boost Financial Cooperation
Iraq’s Minister of Finance met with GIZ, the EU, and the German Embassy to discuss economic reforms and financial modernization. The focus was on technical cooperation, training programs, and improving financial systems to enhance market efficiency and transparency. Germany reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Iraq’s financial development.
Source: Iraq Business News
IMF & Iraq Discuss Strengthening the Dinar
Iraq and the IMF held talks in Amman on economic growth, fiscal reforms, and financial stability. Key discussions included 5% non-oil GDP growth in 2024, reduced oil dependence, and strategies to boost the Iraqi dinar’s use in major transactions. The IMF reaffirmed its support for banking modernization and public debt management to attract foreign investment.
Source: Iraq Business News
VI. AHK Insights
- German-Kurdish Partnership in Dairy Industry
On our team's initiative, we successfully connected ZVE – Zuchtvieh Export GmbH, a German company, with a leading Kurdish business group to collaborate on a major cattle dairy project in Kurdistan. Valued at $80 million and covering 2.5 million square meters, the project will involve ZVE supplying German-breed cows to Kurdistan, playing a crucial role in its success. This partnership underscores the growing business opportunities between Germany and the Kurdistan region.
- German Business Delegation to Baghdad (March 1–3, 2025)
The delegation featured high-level discussions with senior Iraqi officials and key players from the Iraqi private sector. Representatives from leading German companies participated, including BBraun AG, Big Dutchman AG, BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, Global Clearance Solutions AG, GMS German Medical Solutions GmbH, Karl Kolb GmbH, Kurvers Piping Middle East FZCO, M.G. International Transports GmbH, Mercedes-Benz Iraq Limited, Siemens AG, Siemens Healthineers AG, Siemens Industrial LLC, Sutco® RecyclingTechnik GmbH, and Terramar GmbH.
VI. Trade Fair Finder
In this section, all key trade fairs taking place in Iraq can be found. For a comprehensive list of upcoming trade fairs, please access the Auma FairFinder.
Regarding trade fairs in Germany, as the official partner of Deutsche Messe, the AHK is supporting Iraqi exhibitors who wish to showcase their products at trade fairs in Germany. Please find an overview about about all trade fairs and events organized by Deutsche Messe, here. If you are an Iraqi exhibitor looking for more information, feel free to reach out to us for assistance and guidance.
VII. DEinternational Services
Navigating new markets can be challenging - but you don’t have to do it alone. As the German Liaison Office for Commerce and Industry in Iraq, we offer the following tailored consultancy services under our brand Deinternational.
- First Free Consultation
- Contact Search
- Business Matchmaking
- Market Studies
- Trade Fair Representation in Iraq
- Project Management
- Individual Tailored Services
Interested? Contact us for more details.
