Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has inaugurated five major food industry projects in Karbala, valued at $2bn (IQD 2.6tn) and operated by Etihad Food Industries. The initiatives span meat production, dairy processing, and fish farming, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on August 10.
Founded in 2012 in the Medhatya region of Babylon province, Etihad Food Industries has grown into one of Iraq’s largest and most advanced food processing companies, becoming a prominent player in the Arab world thanks to its scale, technology, and diversified operations.
Al-Sudani praised Etihad as a key private sector partner meeting local market needs and underscored the vital role of a financially and technically capable private sector in driving national development. He described investment in Iraq as a “qualitative and patriotic initiative” and called for a supportive investment climate and greater facilitation by local authorities.
Highlighting Karbala’s transformation into a global destination attracting millions of visitors annually, the Prime Minister stressed the need for expanded industrial zones and projects that harness local economic potential. He also emphasized the importance of modern technology in ensuring the success of such ventures, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening local food production to enhance safety and self-sufficiency.
The newly launched projects include:
Dairy Factory – Daily capacity of 3,000 tonnes, among the largest in the world, equipped with European production lines.
Meat Production Facility – Five slaughterhouses with capacity to process 1,500 cattle daily.
Dairy Cattle Farm – Home to 195,000 cows producing four million litres of milk daily.
Beef Cattle Farm – Annual capacity exceeding 100,000 calves.
Fish Farming Project – Producing 300 tonnes of fresh fish daily.
Al-Sudani reiterated that these projects reflect investment as both an economic and patriotic act, and signaled continued government support for initiatives that bolster Iraq’s food security and economic resilience.
Source: intellinews.com
