Iraq, German agency hold joint workshop on tourism development in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Private Sector Development Council and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) convened a joint workshop in Baghdad focused on the tourism sector. The session brought together Iraqi officials and GIZ representatives to examine ways to expand tourism as part of broader economic diversification efforts. Adhem al-Fikar, adviser to the prime minister on international investments, said tourism serves as a marker of sovereignty for any country and stressed that the sector must be revived through investment. Sabah Jundi Mansur, director general of economic and financial policies at the Ministry of Planning, said Iraq's rich historical, cultural and natural heritage positions tourism as a key pillar of economic diversification. Council Vice President Abdullah al-Jubouri pointed to the direct impact of regional geopolitical developments on the tourism sector. Tourism Authority head Nacer Ghanim said developing tourism is no longer an option but a binding national path and a core pillar of economic transformation. GIZ representative Zaid Abu Tabih said the agency is working with Iraq under the German government-funded Strengthening Economic Transformation (SET) project. The workshop covered hospitality, religious tourism, academic research, travel agencies and tourism investment.