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Iraq
Brief Fact File| Capital | Baghdad |
| Currency | New Iraqi Dinar (NID) as of 22 January 2004 |
| Language(s) | Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian |
| Local time | GMT + 03:00 |
| Telephone code | 964 |
| Major cities | Basra, Mosul |
Economy
The economy is the reliance on the oil sector. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in the year 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically reduced the economic activity. It faced a drop in GDP when the global economic slowed down in 2001-02 and downfall of oil prices.
Major Exports:
- Crude Oil
- Crude Materials Excluding Fuels
- Food And Live Animals
- Food
- Medicine
Communication Guidelines
- Bribery of foreign public officials is a crime.
- Knowing a few simple Arabic words and phrases such as Marhaba
salam alekom (hello), Shukran (thank you), Men fadlak (please), Keif
Halac of ezaiyak (how are you) is always helpful.
- When referring to people, they are generally referred to as Yusef bin Ali translated to 'Yusef the son of Ali' (note that bin is the same as ibn). The family name is often omitted.
Business Hour
- Business hours are generally 8.00am to 4.00pm, Sunday to
Thursday.
- Businesses that observe a one to two hour lunch break are usually
open later.
- Banks are open daily, except Friday and Saturday.
Associations / Ministries
Iraqi Business Center
E-mail:
- queries@iraqibusinesscenter.org
- advertising@iraqibusinesscenter.org
- registration@iraqibusinesscenter.org
- webmaster@iraqibusinesscenter.org
- events@iraqibusinesscenter.org
- marketing@iraqibusinesscenter.org
Baghdad Business Center
Website: http://www.baghdadbusinesscenter.org
Kirkuk Business Center
Government Building, Kirkuk
Tel.: +(964)-(50)-212698
E-mail: info@kbciraq.org
Website: http://www.kirkuk-business-center.org
Basrah Business Center
Al Courniche
Near Sheraton hotel
Basrah, Iraq
Website: http://www.basrabusinesscentre.com
Indian Embassy / Counsulate
Embassy of India
House No. 6, Zokak No. 25
Mohalla 306 ,Hay Al Magrib
P.O. Box -4114, Adhamiya
Baghdad, Iraq
Tel.: +(964)-(1)-4222014 - 18
Fax: +(964)-(1)-4229549
Visiting this Country
Business Visa Rules for Iraq
- A valid/signed passport is required, that should be valid for 6
months beyond stay.
- 1 Visa Application Form completely filled and signed.
- 2 Passport-type photographs.
- A business cover letter.
- The visa is valid for 3 months and may be extended in Iraq.
- The time taken to process is 2 to 4 weeks. If the company is already in Iraq and can deal with Iraqi Foreign Ministry directly, the processing can be done within 2 weeks.
| Festival | Date | Detail |
| New Year's Day | January 1 | |
| Eid al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) | Date Varies | |
| Islamic New Year | Celebrated for 2 Days. Date Varies. | |
| Ashura | Date Varies | |
| Noruz (Persian New Year) | Date Varies | |
| Anniversary of Hussein's Downfall | April 9 | |
| The Prophet's Birthday | Date Varies | |
| Republic Day | July 14 | |
| The Prophet's Ascension | Date Varies | |
| Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan) | Celebrated for 2 Days. Date Varies. |
Travel Tips
- It is not recommended to travel to Iraq. For the latest risk
assessment, travellers should contact their local travel agents or
related government offices in the home country.
- The departure tax is ID2000.
- One can carry without any customs duty 200 cigarettes or 50
cigars or 250g tobacco; one bottle of wine and one bottle of spirits
with a total volume of not more than 1l and gifts to the value of
ID10.
- The total value of these goods should not exceed ID100 and
travellers who have not left the country within 120 days must report
to customs.
- Tipping is usually 10-15%. Do not tip the taxi drivers because the fare is agreed before the journey.
