Eco
The Ministry of Trade has formulated an ambitious strategic plan to broaden the export of processed and semi-processed Iraqi dates to European markets. This initiative, designed to bolster Iraq's economy and market its premier product, coincides with preparations for a major date exhibition in Baghdad in late October. Dr. Malik Al-Durai'i, Director General of the Private Sector Development Department at the Ministry of Trade, elaborated in an official press release that the government's plan focuses on supporting date cultivation. It seeks a qualitative shift from exporting raw dates to supplying them in fully or semi-processed forms. Al-Durai'i noted current practices of exporting raw Iraqi dates to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which then package and re-export them globally. The Ministry's new vision, he stressed, involves direct export of processed dates to European markets through agreements now being prepared. The plan, Al-Durai'i explained, includes specialized training workshops led by Italian experts for private sector factory owners. These workshops aim to provide knowledge and mechanisms to boost production capacities. He affirmed that exports to Europe require stringent adherence to product specifications, high quality, and packaging standards. The Ministry, the official reported, is making intensive efforts to open direct date export channels after completing local factory preparations and expanding production lines. He stressed the vital role of developing the Iraqi date sector in driving national economic growth, citing successful regional experiences. In a related development, Al-Durai'i revealed the formation of a committee to organize the second Iraqi Dates Exhibition with the Union of Chambers of Commerce and the Iraqi Dates Council. Scheduled for October 31st for two days at the Baghdad International Fairground, the exhibition will showcase the finest 600 varieties of world-renowned Iraqi dates. It will also host dialogue sessions and meetings for farmers, producers, exporters, businessmen, and local and foreign companies, alongside an economic forum to discuss sector development ideas.
