The Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce discusses with relevant authorities support for the commercial and investment sector and enhancing the business environment Muthanna - Media Office The delegation of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, headed by Mr. Duraid Hamoudi Al-Araji, Vice President of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce and President of the Muthanna Chamber of Commerce, met today, Wednesday, at the government palace, to discuss the reality of the commercial and investment sector, the challenges facing merchants and business owners, and ways to enhance the economic environment and support commercial activity in the country. The meeting discussed a number of important economic files, most notably customs duties and the cost of fuel supplied to factories, and the impact of their high costs on the prices of goods and commodities offered in the markets, as well as the importance of separating government contracts from commercial contracts, in line with the nature of the services provided by the private sector to public entities. The meeting also discussed the importance of amending the Commercial Agencies Law, in a way that is compatible with the nature of the work of foreign agencies and companies operating in Iraq, in addition to examining ways to support the opening of the commercial port with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Al-Muthanna Governorate, through legislative and parliamentary follow-up, in a way that contributes to enhancing commercial movement and opening new horizons for the private sector in the governorate. The delegation appreciated the government measures taken to support the commercial sector, including launching a window to finance small merchants, simplifying company registration procedures through the single window system, automating customs procedures, and activating the international land transport agreement, as well as supporting exporters and protecting Iraqi products. The delegation stressed that the population increase witnessed by Iraq requires work to activate factories, expand the activity of commercial agencies, and maximize revenues, which contributes to reducing dependence on rentier revenues, stressing the importance of supporting the industrial sector as the basic building block of commercial and economic activity, in order to achieve a better balance between revenues and expenditures and enhance the elements of sustainable economic development. The meeting took place in the presence of the Vice President of the Muthanna Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Atheer Abdel-Saheb Al-Hussaini, the Head of the Commercial Department, Mr. Haider Ali Hussein Al Shaheen, a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Suhail Al-Khawam, and a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Bashar Abdel-Sattar Sadiq.