Iraq Attracts $100B in Investments as PM Al-Sudani Meets Consortium Bidding for Baghdad International Airport Development

Peregraf

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani said Iraq has secured more than $100 billion in Arab and foreign investments during the two years of his government’s tenure, reflecting growing confidence in the country’s economic recovery and stability.

The announcement came on Wednesday during a meeting with representatives of a six-company consortium competing for the contract to rehabilitate, develop, and operate Baghdad International Airport. The session was attended by officials from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is advising the Ministry of Transportation on the project.

Al-Sudani praised the IFC’s role as a strategic partner, noting its involvement in numerous infrastructure and service projects in Iraq. He stressed the symbolic and economic importance of Baghdad International Airport as the main gateway to the capital, saying it must be developed to meet international standards and provide high-quality services that generate sustainable revenues.

The Prime Minister pointed to Iraq’s strategic geographical location, which offers major opportunities for investment in air transport, overflight traffic, and passenger services. He highlighted ongoing government efforts to reform the management of airports and other state-run sectors, adopting successful regional models to enhance efficiency and attract private sector participation.

“There is a clear and genuine opportunity to increase the number of inbound travelers to Baghdad,” Al-Sudani said, adding that similar investment opportunities are available in the airports of Najaf, Basra, Nasiriyah, and Mosul.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating investment, assuring Arab and foreign companies of Iraq’s safety and attractiveness as a business destination. The Baghdad International Airport development project, he said, aims to select the most capable consortium or investor to create a model facility that reflects the country’s progress.

The IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is tasked with preparing the investment portfolio for the airport’s development and operation, ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the selection process.