Baghdad – IA – Wissam Al-Mulla
The Council of Competition and Monopoly Affairs, affiliated with the Council of Ministers, announced today, Thursday, the development of an ambitious road map that is consistent with the priorities of the government program to achieve economic reform, while affirming its endeavor to be a gateway to economic integration internally and externally, in a way that raises the efficiency of the Iraqi market and contributes to attracting investments.
The Chairman of the Council, Ahmed Younis, said in his speech during the First International Conference on Competition and Antitrust, which was attended by the correspondent of the (INA): “Our meeting today, which coincides with World Competition Day, reflects a national commitment to supporting fair competition and combating monopolistic practices in a way that contributes to Building a strong and balanced national economy,” noting that “holding this conference represents a turning point towards strengthening the role of the competition Council in achieving a prosperous and enduring national economy that enhances economic justice.”
He added, “Iraq’s transformation into a free market economy represents a challenge and an opportunity at the same time, as it requires, at the forefront of its pillars, the development of effective policies that guarantee market stability, and the availability of rules and frameworks to protect the rights of all economic parties, which comes through the presence of effective market oversight.” The efficiency of the functioning of markets is linked to the efficiency of supervision over them. This is why the activation of the Competition and Monopoly Prevention Council came as one of the basic axes of the government program, ensuring that the market is regulated on the basis of clarity and integrity, which is the most significant body concerned with market oversight.”
He continued, “The Competition Council was activated in March 2023 and the members of the Board of Directors were named in June, and we began developing an ambitious road map that is compatible with the goals of sustainable development and consistent with the priorities of the government program to achieve economic reform.”
He explained that “the roadmap begins first by reviewing the experiences of countries with a long history in this field, preparing the bylaws and executive regulations of the Competition law and sending them to the State Council, launching an annual training plan aimed at building the capabilities of cadres internally and externally, and developing a general media plan through which we worked to organize seminars and workshops.” Local work and correspondence with various sectors (governmental and private) for the purpose of spreading the culture of competition and educating society and economic sectors about the concepts of the law and its objectives. We attracted a number of cadres, experts and consultants in all sectors. economic sector operating in the market, in addition to communicating with government and private agencies and concluding joint cooperation memorandums that allow the exchange of information and expertise and support the implementation of the law.”
He continued: “We have also begun creating a comprehensive database for all sectors and preparing guidelines in cooperation with sectoral bodies,” noting that “the Council, despite its recent establishment, was able to implement the five axes it committed to within the government program, which made it among the first bodies in the classification of achievement.”
as for the international level, Younis stressed, “The Council has achieved distinguished achievements, as it was elected to chair the Institutional Efficiency Group within the Arab Competition Network affiliated with the League of Arab States at the third network meetings in Riyadh this year 2024, and all requirements for joining the International Competition Network have been completed, along with On obtaining the approval of the Prime Minister to hold the Sixth Arab Competition Forum in baghdad in May 2025, which is an international gathering that highlights Iraq’s position as a pivotal economic center in the region that includes experts and specialists in the economic field from all over the world. Countries of the world.
He continued, “Memorandums of understanding have also been prepared with competition authorities in Arab countries, and participation in international events related to competition, as the Competition and Antitrust Law No.14 of 2010 is the legal framework to ensure a transparent and stable economic environment,as it contributes to establishing and implementing the rules of free competition and raising awareness about it.” To improve the level of market performance and develop the economic environment in a way that benefits the national economy and the consumer,” noting that “the outcomes of law enforcement lead to reducing economic concentration.” “Enhancing innovation, diversity and availability of goods and services, increasing production efficiency, improving product and service quality, reducing prices and thus revitalizing the market.”
He pointed out that “studies of the geographical distribution of commercial activities contribute to creating job opportunities for small and medium enterprises,which are one of the important engines of the economy,which creates new opportunities for growth,innovation and reducing unemployment,in addition to preserving public money by preventing collusion in bids or offers in tenders and auctions and providing a safe environment.” It attracts investments by issuing legislation and regulations, reducing discriminatory conditions in making decisions that affect competition, and creating a positive atmosphere for integration and economic integration with countries of the world.”
He stressed that “the Council seeks to be a model in promoting economic justice and sustainable development. It also aspires to be a gateway to economic integration internally and externally, in a way that raises the efficiency of the Iraqi market and contributes to attracting investments.It also overcame several challenges thanks to the support of the Prime Minister and the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, and from Through fruitful cooperation with government and private institutions and strengthening its role as a primary regulatory body that contributes to regulating the market.”
How can awareness of competition laws and their benefits impact the Iraqi economy?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Competition and Monopoly Expert
Editor: Good day, Wissam. Thank you for joining us. The recent announcement from the Council of Competition and Monopoly Affairs indicates important strides toward economic reform in Iraq.Can you elaborate on the implications of this ambitious roadmap?
Wissam Al-Mulla: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The roadmap signifies a transformative phase for Iraq’s economy. it is designed to promote fair competition, reduce monopolistic practices, and attract more foreign and local investments, all of which are essential for economic growth.
Editor: Ahmed Younis, the Chairman of the Council, mentioned that this initiative aligns with the government’s priorities. How does this integration take shape in practical terms?
Wissam Al-Mulla: The integration happens through establishing effective market oversight. The Council aims to develop policies that ensure market stability as Iraq transitions into a free market economy. This includes regulatory frameworks that protect the rights of all economic players. Such measures will help cultivate a fairer competitive environment.
Editor: You mentioned the importance of effective market oversight.What specific strategies will the Council employ to enhance oversight capabilities?
Wissam Al-Mulla: The Council is focused on reviewing best practices from nations with successful competition frameworks. We are in the process of preparing bylaws and executive regulations for the Competition Law. Moreover, an annual training plan is being launched to build internal and external capabilities among staff and stakeholders, ensuring that everyone understands the significance of competition in the market.
Editor: It’s captivating to hear that you’re looking at international experiences. Are there particular countries that the Council considers models for Iraq?
Wissam Al-Mulla: Yes, we are studying countries that have effectively balanced market regulation and competition, such as those in the EU and North America. Their experiences in establishing comprehensive antitrust laws and enforcement mechanisms provide us valuable insights in crafting our own regulations.
Editor: Ahmed Younis emphasized that this conference is a turning point toward strengthening the role of the competition Council. How critical is this new momentum in the context of Iraq’s economic future?
Wissam Al-Mulla: This momentum is vital. It represents a national commitment to fostering a balanced economy.by advocating for economic justice and fair competition, we aim to create a more resilient economy. It’s all about building trust among investors and consumers, which ultimately translates into economic stability and growth.
Editor: On World Competition Day, how do you see this initiative influencing public perception and understanding of competition in Iraq?
Wissam Al-Mulla: Raising awareness is crucial. Our media strategy includes seminars and workshops to educate various sectors about competition laws and their benefits. We want the public and businesses to recognize that healthy competition can lead to innovation, lower prices, and better services, which are essential for a thriving economy.
Editor: It sounds like a comprehensive approach. As the Council progresses, what challenges do you foresee in implementing this roadmap?
Wissam Al-Mulla: One of the main challenges is changing the mindset around competition in a market that has been dominated by monopolistic practices. There will also be hurdles in ensuring compliance and monitoring effectiveness as regulations take shape. However, with persistence and cooperation from both government and private sectors, we can overcome these obstacles.
Editor: It’s clear that there are many moving parts in this initiative. As we conclude, what is yoru hope for the Iraqi economy in the next few years as an inevitable result of these efforts?
Wissam Al-Mulla: My hope is that Iraq will emerge as a vibrant market with a strong foundation for sustainable growth. A culture of competition will pave the way for innovation and progress,ultimately leading to improved living standards for all citizens.
Editor: Thank you, wissam. Your insights shed light on the importance of this initiative, and we look forward to seeing how it unfolds in the future.
Wissam al-Mulla: Thank you for having me! it’s an exciting time for Iraq, and I appreciate the opportunity to share our vision.