The Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) held a highly successful two-day conference in Dubai, with Al-Burhan Group proudly participating alongside senior Iraqi officials and distinguished business leaders. The event included a dedicated Education Day followed by an engaging Business Day, featuring high-profile figures such as HE Mohammed Al Darraji, senior technical advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister and president of the Sovereign Guarantee Initiative; Professor Hamid Khalaf Ahmed, PM Advisor and Executive Director of the Higher Committee for Education Development in Iraq; and HE Dr Mohammed Shukri, Chairman of the Kurdistan Investment Board. Hosted by HE Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy, the conference showcased collaboration and innovation for Iraq’s economic and educational development.

Al-Burhan Group was honored to join a distinguished lineup of IBBC members and contributors, which included British universities such as London, Newcastle, and Oxford, and leading global companies like Shell, BP, Basra Gas Company, Wood, GE Vernova, Sardar Group, SAP, and others. The event underscored the importance of fostering partnerships to advance Iraq’s infrastructure, business environment, and workforce capabilities.

Education Day Highlights

The Education Day, curated by Professor Mohamed Al Uzri and sponsored by GEMS, emphasized aligning Iraq’s educational curricula with the country’s evolving economic needs. Al-Burhan Group actively engaged in discussions about developing relevant training and skills to meet the needs of Iraq’s growing youth population. Panels explored how to move beyond traditional rote learning towards empowering students with critical thinking and decision-making abilities to better prepare them for the private sector.
Professor Gunter’s insights on Iraq’s economic challenges highlighted the need for 350,000 new jobs annually to sustain employment levels, stressing the critical role of the private sector and entrepreneurship. Al-Burhan Group echoed this sentiment, advocating for innovative approaches to skills development and training in Iraq.

Tech Forum Insights

The Tech Forum showcased groundbreaking ideas and advancements. Al-Burhan Group participated in sessions featuring Innovate UK’s Chandila Fernandez, who outlined support for UK-registered startups, and Iraq Venture Partners’ Hady Al Samra, who highlighted the growing startup ecosystem in Iraq. Other standout presentations included DPD Date Palm’s cutting-edge agricultural technology and 1001, Iraq’s largest streaming platform, now with over 2.5 million subscribers and exclusive distribution for top football leagues like La Liga.

Business Day Panels and Discussions

The Business Day, chaired by IBBC GCC Representative Mr. Vikas Handa, opened with welcoming speeches from HE Abdullah Al Saleh, Baroness Nicholson, and key stakeholders. Al-Burhan Group contributed to discussions on geopolitical dynamics, with panels analyzing Iraq’s regional role amidst shifting powers in the Middle East, including Turkey, Israel, and Iran. Infrastructure and maritime development took center stage in a dedicated panel that explored the transformative potential of the new Al Faw port. Al-Burhan Group emphasized the importance of maritime advancements in boosting international trade and creating over 100,000 new jobs. Discussions also highlighted the need for a skills academy in Basra to support Iraq’s maritime ambitions.

Roundtables and Finance Panels

Al-Burhan Group actively participated in roundtables, including Professor Frank Gunter’s session on the “Ease of Doing Business in Iraq” report. The Women in Business forum, led by Baroness Nicholson, explored strategies for driving economic empowerment through female entrepreneurship, an initiative strongly supported by Al-Burhan Group.
The Finance Panel featured leading experts such as Dr. Samir Fakhri Noama from the Central Bank of Iraq and Mr. Bilal Al Sugheyer of IFC, discussing financial strategies to spur economic growth. The concluding Energy Panel showcased Iraq’s top energy producers, with insights into sustainable and efficient practices for Iraq’s energy sector.

The IBBC conference reinforced the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to address Iraq’s economic challenges. Al-Burhan Group was proud to contribute to these critical discussions and remains committed to supporting initiatives that drive progress in Iraq’s education, infrastructure, and economic sectors.

We extend our gratitude to IBBC for organizing this impactful event and to all participants for their invaluable contributions to shaping Iraq’s future.