BAGHDAD: Iraq needs $22.9 billion in the short term and $65.4 billion in the medium term for reconstruction and recovery, the Iraqi minister of planning said on Monday.
The Iraqi government — backed by a US-led international coalition and Shiite-dominated paramilitaries — led a major military campaign to liberate vast swathes of the country which were seized by Daesh militants in June 2014.
That campaign officially ended in December when Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi declared that the three-year war on Daesh was over, and that all Iraqi territory had been liberated.
However, the government now faces several challenges, including the reconstruction of the affected areas; ensuring the return of more than two million displaced people to their homes; establishing stability; and reconciling communities in former conflict areas.
The Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq, hosted in coordination with the Iraqi government, began on Monday. Representatives from 70 countries and over 2,300 businesses are participating.
Iraq’s Minister of Planning Salman Al-Jumaili headed the opening session of the conference, which was devoted to reviewing the scale of the damage inflicted on various sectors of life in Iraq in the seven provinces affected by the insurgency — Nineveh, Anbar, Salhudeen, Baghdad, Babylon, Diyala and Kirkuk. Nineveh was the most-damaged province, Al-Jumaili said.
“The total damage to the seven provinces because of terrorist acts ... amounted to about 46 billion dollars,” Al-Jumaili said in a statement issued by his media office on Monday. “Add to that the total damages in the security sector, which amounted to 14 billion dollars and the value of losses on bank assets, which amounted to about 10 billion dollars.”
Housing was the worst-hit sector, suffering damage amounting to $16 billion — around 35 percent of the total damage. The energy, oil and gas sector suffered damage amounting to around $11 billion; the industrial and trade sector $5 billion; agriculture, more than $2 billion; education $2.4 billion; and the health sector $2.3 billion.
Iraq estimates the total damage caused by terrorism and the war on Daesh to amount to $88.2 billion. Baghdad hopes the conference will help attract international investment in Iraq and cover some of the cost of reconstruction.
Iraq hopes Kuwait conference will contribute towards its reconstruction
Iraq hopes Kuwait conference will contribute towards its reconstruction
Jordan-India partnership expanding across trade, technology and energy, says envoy
- Indian Ambassador to Jordan Manish Chauhan described ties between the two countries as longstanding and built on mutual trust
AMMAN: Jordan and India are deepening cooperation across a wide range of sectors including trade, digital technology, renewable energy and infrastructure, Indian Ambassador to Jordan Manish Chauhan said Saturday.
Speaking to Jordan News Agency, Chauhan described ties between the two countries as longstanding and built on mutual trust, adding that relations span political, economic, defense, security, cultural and educational cooperation.
He said regular political dialogue continues between the two countries, and highlighted the fourth round of foreign ministry consultations held in Amman in April 2025 and a fifth round due to take place in New Delhi.
Chauhan also highlighted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Jordan as a major milestone, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
During the visit, Modi praised the leadership of King Abdullah II and said Jordan and India share a “strong” contemporary partnership rooted in deep cultural ties.
The Indian premier also commended Jordan’s growing role as a regional bridge connecting markets and fostering business and economic growth.
The ambassador said discussions between King Abdullah II and Modi highlighted a shared commitment to expanding cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, water management, digital transformation, cultural exchange and heritage.
India is Jordan’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at about $2.8 billion, JNA reported.
Chauhan said both sides are now working toward doubling trade to $5 billion over the next five years.
He added that opportunities for business collaboration are emerging in several sectors, including digital public infrastructure, fintech, health-tech and agri-tech, as well as sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, green mobility, agriculture, food processing and heritage tourism.
On regional issues, Chauhan highlighted India’s longstanding support for Palestine, adding that New Delhi was among the first non-Arab states to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization in the 1970s and the Palestinian state in 1988.
The ambassador said that the Indian Embassy in Amman remained committed to advancing the growing partnership in close coordination with Jordanian counterparts.
