Baghdad-INA
Global technology companies have launched one of their largest exhibitions in the Middle East at Iraq Mall in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in a move aimed at attracting major international specialized firms to the local market.
Khalid Al-Jabri, head of the Osoul Foundation for Economic Development and a member of the Higher Committee for Tax Reform, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that attracting internationally recognized foreign technology companies would help bring high-level expertise into Iraq and provide training opportunities for young people in advanced technologies.
"Given the rapid pace of technological development, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence, there is a growing need for continuously evolving skills, which is exactly what the labor market requires," Al-Jabri said.
He noted that the outputs of the education system do not fully align with labor market requirements, stressing the need for reputable companies to help the Ministry of Higher Education enhance skill development and better equip graduates for employment.
"This would expand job opportunities and help reduce unemployment, which stands at 13.6% in Iraq," Al-Jabri said.
He added that the Iraqi market is promising and rich in talent and expertise, and that attracting major foreign companies to operate in Iraq, while providing them with the necessary incentives and facilitation measures, would contribute to activating those capabilities and help reduce unemployment rates.
For its part, Samsung announced the opening of its largest smartphone showroom in the Levant region in Iraq.
Moataz Al-Aqbawi, Vice President of Samsung for the Middle East, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the company's investment in Iraq extends beyond commercial objectives to include developmental goals.
"This showroom contributes directly to stimulating the local economy and creating sustainable employment opportunities for Iraqi youth. More importantly, we are providing professional training and skills development in line with the latest global retail management practices and Samsung's international standards, enhancing their capabilities and preparing them to lead the technology sector in the future," he said.
He added that the opening marks a historic milestone and a turning point in the company's journey in the Iraqi market.
"The timing of this launch reflects our belief that challenges should not halt the pace of development. Rather, they serve as a motivation for us to reaffirm our strong commitment and responsibility toward our customers in Iraq," Al-Aqbawi said.
"The presence of the largest smartphone showroom in the Levant region in Iraq is clear evidence of our strong confidence in the Iraqi economy and our determination to provide Iraqi consumers with a world-class experience directly, without intermediaries," he added.
He stressed that Samsung's showroom at Iraq Mall is "only the beginning of the journey, not the final destination."
"Our future strategy is clear and highly ambitious. It includes broader geographic expansion across Iraq's provinces and cities to be closer to our customers wherever they are," Al-Aqbawi said.
"We will continue working to provide the highest level of customer service and fulfill our promise to remain at the forefront of introducing the latest global technological innovations to the Iraqi market simultaneously with their international launches," he added.
