Iraqi Minister of Trade Atheer Al-Ghurairi announced on Sunday the scale of international participation in the 49th Baghdad International Fair, affirming that Iraq has become an increasingly attractive destination for investment and that investment activity continues to expand through the event.

Al-Ghurairi noted that this year’s fair marks a significant shift from previous editions. “While 16 countries participated in the last fair and 20 in the one before it, this year the number has risen to 36 countries,” he said.

He explained that the increase reflects growing international confidence in Iraq, adding that the Iraqi economy offers promising opportunities across trade, industry, tourism, and other sectors. “This message has reached many countries around the world,” he stated.

Al-Ghurairi also highlighted the strong presence of more than 1,100 companies at the fair, noting intense competition among participants seeking to establish a foothold in Iraq’s large, consumer-driven market.

He added that the fair has attracted a wide range of companies and industries interested in forming partnerships that could lead to mutually beneficial projects, emphasizing that the Baghdad International Fair serves as a key platform for promoting trade, industry, and investment across all sectors.