Former Iraqi lawmaker says industrial cities could rival oil as revenue source

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A former Iraqi lawmaker has called for reviving the country's industrial cities, saying the model could generate revenue comparable to oil if longstanding obstacles are removed. Bakir al-Saadi said Iraq's reliance on oil leaves public finances exposed to price volatility, and that economic diversification has been needed for years. He argued that Iraq's natural resources and geographic position give it the potential to become a regional industrial hub in the Middle East. Al-Saadi noted that thousands of factories halted after 2003 include integrated industrial complexes whose production lines could resume if current barriers are cleared. He said officially approved industrial cities could deliver income on par with oil and create employment for large numbers of jobless Iraqis, provided planning, effective management and investor support are in place. He added that a national strategic plan is essential, framing industry as the primary tool for diversifying the economy.