Building on UNIDO ITPO Italy’s long-standing engagement in enhancing economic growth and fostering a sustainable private sector in Iraq through targeted support and capacity-building efforts, a two-day online seminar titled "Training on Italian Industrial Clusters, Business Associations, and International Fairs" was organized on August 13th and 14th.

The seminar, part of the project , funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by UNIDO ITPO Italy, aimed to strengthen the capacity of Iraqi business associations and enterprises, with a focus on the best practices of the Italian industrial system as well as UNIDO clusters and networks development methodology.

The first day of the seminar, held on Tuesday, August 13th, was dedicated to the personnel and network of the Enterprise Development Centers (EDCs) from Erbil, Thi Qar, and Basra, as well as local business associations actively working within the EDCs’ network. Also present were representatives from the Italian-Iraqi Business Corporation, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Board of Investment, adding significant expertise from key industrial and business sectors. The session provided participants with valuable insights into the structure and functioning of Italian industrial clusters and business associations, showcasing successful models of collaboration and growth within international trade fairs.

On the second day, Wednesday, August 14th, the focus shifted to supporting the Iraqi Federation of Industries (IFI) and the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce (IFCC), with additional participation from a representative of the Women League. During this session, key representatives from these organizations received tailored training on Italian best practices, with the aim of enhancing their capacity to promote Iraqi industries and businesses in international markets.

In total, the two-day online seminar attracted around 40 participants, the majority of whom were entrepreneurs and professionals from the private sector and business community. By building partnerships and sharing knowledge on effective industrial development strategies, this seminar sought to empower Iraqi enterprises and local associations, thus contributing to the broader goal of strengthening the country's private sector as well as promoting sustainable economic growth.