Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi met with U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) CEO Ben Black in Washington to discuss expanding investment partnerships and financing for infrastructure and development projects across Iraq.

Talks Focus on Development and Investment

During the meeting, al-Zaidi received Black and his accompanying delegation at his residence in Washington. The two sides reviewed opportunities for cooperation between Iraq and the DFC, including participation in infrastructure reconstruction and expanding financing partnerships for projects aimed at revitalizing Iraq's economy.

The discussions covered investments in the energy, transportation, agriculture, digital economy, and services sectors, as well as moving from planning to the implementation phase of development projects.

Al-Zaidi Highlights Digital Transformation

Al-Zaidi outlined the Iraqi government's efforts to diversify the economy and strengthen the Iraq Development Fund through projects aligned with global technological advancements.

He emphasized initiatives focused on the digital economy, integrated digital government platforms, expanding electronic payment services, establishing specialized national data centers, and investing in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. He also stressed the importance of greater participation by U.S. companies to accelerate Iraq's digital transformation.

DFC Signals Readiness to Invest

For his part, Ben Black affirmed the DFC's readiness to enter the Iraqi market through a package of financing partnerships for investment projects.

He also expressed the corporation's willingness to contribute to the Iraq Development Fund and support U.S. companies in forming partnerships across development projects throughout Iraq.