The Proposed Policies to Attract the Direct Foreign Investment to Iraq

Abstract

The group of problems and difficulties facing the economic growth in Iraq results from the political, economic and security circumstances through which Iraq passed and is still passing. Accordingly, it caused a decrease in oil prices, i.e. a decrease in revenues and incomings achieved from the oil sector and consequently a decrease in the financing size required for the general budget as a result of Iraq's reliance on the oil sector widely. These difficulties indicate the necessity to search for alternative sources to finance the process of economic growth in Iraq rather than relying on the incomings achieved from the oil sector which are exposed to extensive oscillations according to oil international price levels. One of the most important alternative sources is FDI as being an important transformational source completing the local investment and not its substitute for what it carries of various experiences contribute in developing the competitive capacity of local products as well as providing job opportunities with more productivity. The policy of attracting FDI to Iraq requires the provision of a suitable investing atmosphere which require starting an economic reformation program securing an appropriate atmosphere for FDI to enter Iraq. Attracting FDI to Iraq is urgency, especially in oil and gas sectors as first stage so as to achieve additional financial revenues contribute in the growth of other economic sectors such as industry and agriculture in a way accomplishing a relative balance in the productive structure of Iraqi economy.