Himara Trading CEO says major energy companies returning to Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Jeffrey Casper, founder and CEO of Himara Trading, said Iraq's investment environment has shifted, drawing global energy firms back to the country. Casper attributed the change to a shared push by the Iraqi government, the United States and American private companies to establish transparent and sustainable investment channels, and to political stability reinforced by peaceful transfers of power through elections. Casper said activity in the energy, electricity and fuel sectors has been unusually strong, with large international companies that had previously left Iraq or avoided investing now returning to the negotiating table. He added that Iraq's economic outlook is no longer limited to resource extraction, with the focus shifting toward job creation for young people, infrastructure development and diversification into technology and education. In a separate development, Adam Cortesi, CEO of Sun Africa and UGTR, announced the opening of a Baghdad office for a strategic solar energy project in partnership with Iraq's Kar Group. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ali al-Zeydi is expected to sign more than 18 agreements spanning energy, the economy and industry during a visit to the United States.