On February 23-27 2015, in cooperation with the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, CLDP organized a workshop on trade and market analysis for fourteen officials of the Iraq Ministry of Trade. 

The workshop featured presentations and interactive exercises in analyzing trade and market access data, non-tariff measures and trade agreements; providing institutional strengthening and capacity building (including through e-learning) for SME exporters; producing, managing and disseminating trade information through websites and databases.  This is the first program in recent years that the ITC has held in cooperation with the Government of Iraq (GoI).  As a result of the workshop, the GoI has resolved to work with the ITC to organize, publish, and integrate Iraq's market access data into ITC's international databases and to support Iraq’s effort toward producing trade statistics in the medium term. The ITC will also work with Iraq to identify and classify its non-tariff measures, an exercise that will enhance transparency for those exporting to Iraq. 

ITC’s Executive Director Arancha Gonzalez and Anders Aeroe, Director of ITC’s Division of Market Development extended their welcome to the delegation. “Iraq is in a period of transition to a market economy and needs support in integrating into the multilateral trading system," Mr Aeroe said, "and we are very pleased to be able to partner with the US to respond to its needs. Going forward there are some immediate ways we can support Iraq in helping to produce and disseminate its market access data in the context of our global public good program on trade transparency and market analysis tools.” 

Stephen Gardner, Chief Counsel for CLDP thanked the ITC for this collaboration, noting “this has been an excellent partnership to reach mutual assistance goals for Iraq and I look forward to expanding our cooperation with Iraq and other countries going forward.”

Mr Hashem Al-Sudany, Director General of Iraq’s Ministry of Trade Foreign Economic Relations Department noted that “this workshop is the first step in an important relationship with the International Trade Centre. This week has been beneficial for Iraq for the adoption of new policies for economic agreements with the assistance of the information provided by ITC."