CLDP, in partnership with the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, and hosted by the Iraqi National Investment Commission (NIC), held a franchise trade mission, the first of its kind in recent years to Iraq. Titled, “Developing Franchise Opportunities in Iraq” the program took place in Baghdad from March 17-18 and in Erbil from March 19-20, 2014, bringing together 10 U.S. based franchisors with 60 Iraqi businesspeople and prospective franchisees.  The opening ceremonies were followed by franchise presentations, discussions on the Iraq market, and two days of business to business meetings. The Franchise Mission provided an excellent opportunity to avoid many of the challenges of entry to the Iraq market by partnering with local companies that shoulder the major risks.