SACE supports Italian companies in developing new projects in Iraq

SACE, the insurance and financial group specialized in supporting Italian companies and the national economy, directly controlled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, has finalized a Framework Agreement in favor of the Trade Bank of Iraq with the support of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Iraq. The agreement – signed by Alessandra Ricci, Chief Executive Officer of SACE and Bilal Sabah Alhamdani, President of the Trade Bank of Iraq with a group of international banks – aims to improve Made in Italy exports to Iraq and support investments in the private sector up to €1 billion, with a focus on diversification from the oil&gas sector.

During the Signing Ceremony, which saw the participation of the President of the Sovereign Guarantees Committee of the Republic of Iraq Mohammed Al Darraji, the Italian Ambassador to Iraq Maurizio Greganti and the Iraqi Ambassador to Italy Saywan Sabir Mustafa Barzani, five Memoranda of Understanding were signed between Italian exporters and Iraqi buyers - Muhaj Baghdad for General Trading Company; Al Masa Company; Keppt Investment; Al-Minhaj International Chemical Industries - aiming to strengthen commercial collaboration between Italy and Iraq.

The Memoranda of Understanding amount to a total value of €775 million. The construction of a steel complex with a steelwork and rolling mill by Danieli & C. S.p.A., a glass products production plant by FalorniTech, a pharmaceutical production plant by Tecno Electric with CSV Life Science Group and an integrated agriculture plant by B2FIRMS, a glass production plant by Bottero S.p.A. are among the new projects in the pipeline.

“This marks a significant step forward towards an increasingly stronger collaboration between the two countries that will bring concrete opportunities and development – commented Alessandra Ricci, Chief Executive Officer of SACE – we confirm our support for Italian companies in projects related to infrastructure as well as other key sectors where our firms can make a difference thanks to their cutting-edge technologies and know-how.”

"Italy is one of the first countries to sign with Iraq a framework agreement to support export credit. The total value of today’s agreements within the framework amounts to about €775 million, a testimony to the mutual commitment and the ever-increasing demand for Made in Italy - declared Maurizio Greganti, Ambassador of Italy in Iraq - The involvement of SACE represents a key element to give greater impetus to economic and trade relations between Italy and Iraq and rebuild locally an industrial sector that promotes the diversification of the Iraqi economy and the creation of jobs".

“We worked hard with our Italian partners during a whole year to improve this framework agreement, which will support the Iraqi private sector with the necessary funding to localize important industries – declared Mohammed Al Darraji, President of the Sovereign Guarantees Committee of the Republic of Iraq - and the signing of memorandums of understanding between Iraqi companies and Italian companies is the first implementation of this framework agreement”.