IFP Iraq (International Fairs and Promotions) held a press conference announcing the re-launch of its specialized exhibitions at the Baghdad International Fair Ground for 2018. The company's General Manager, Georges Khoury, announced that IFP Iraq’s program will include 4 exhibitions covering various sectors: Iraq Agro-Food (food and agro-processing and packaging) from 5 – 8 September 2018 as well as Project Iraq (construction material, equipment and technologies), Electricity and Power Iraq, and Rebuild Liberated Regions Exhibition and Conference, held concurrently from 8 to 11 October.
Khoury touched on the company's history in Iraq, pointing out that IFP Iraq, a member of IFP Group (International Fairs and Promotions) started operations in Baghdad in 2014 with a network of regional and international representatives in more than 30 countries around the world. "IFP Group is one of the most experienced companies in the region with more than 35 years of operations, during which more than 450 international exhibitions and conferences were held in various countries in the region, notably in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Lebanon”, stated Khoury.
"The range of events organized by IFP Group is the most diverse in the region, covering various sectors, primarily construction, energy, agriculture, healthcare, industry, machinery, education, tourism, trade, sports, luxury, and others", he added.
Commenting on the company's experience in Iraq, Khoury pointed out that the exhibitions organized by the company have witnessed great success since inception, which translated into attracting international exhibitors from more than 50 countries, and opening doors for them to take advantage of promising business opportunities in Iraq in the areas of construction, energy, general trade, agriculture, and healthcare.
"Based on this successful experience, the company has decided to keep pace with the reconstruction phase of the liberated provinces by re-launching a comprehensive program of international trade exhibitions in Baghdad, in an effort to put the Iraqi capital on the map of international exhibitions, through a series of specialized trade fairs that includes 4 events to take place at the Baghdad International Fair Ground starting September of this year," continued Khoury.
Khoury highlighted the company's vision of the expected role of these exhibitions, pointing out that they connect global capabilities with local needs. "These international trade fairs represent an effective tool for business owners in the region to establish and strengthen their relationships with major international companies, by linking manufacturers and suppliers from the region with project owners and business people in Iraq’s market, in a professional business environment with promising opportunities,” stated Khoury.
"As Iraq is witnessing the launch of a reconstruction phase in various sectors, particularly construction and infrastructure projects and real estate development, these exhibitions will have a positive impact on all markets," according to conference participants. "The exhibitions tackle many challenges that entrepreneurs face in terms of their needs which are becoming more intricate, given the technical complexity that usually characterizes reconstruction processes, "said many participating business people.
Earlier this year, the Iraqi government began to plan for the reconstruction phase. It had previously announced some statistics and figures for the amount required by the Iraqi state to carry out reconstruction projects. The estimated value of the reconstruction cost for Iraqi cities, according to the latest statement by the head of the Reconstruction Fund for Areas Affected by Terroristic Operations (REFAATO), Mustapha al-Hiti, reaches 150 billion US dollars, following an estimation of 100 billion US dollars that was announced by the Minister of Planning, Dr. Salman al-Jumaili earlier.
He also stressed that the ministry has prepared a detailed plan for the reconstruction of liberated provinces for the period 2017-2027. The government predicted that «the launch of major investment opportunities in 2018 will have an important role in reviving the economy and reducing unemployment rates, including dozens of major projects».
ifpinfo
5 February
