About the Council

The Hellenic–Iraqi Business Council (HIBC) is a non-profit, member-based organization established to strengthen the commercial, investment, and economic relationship between Greece and Iraq — including the Kurdistan Region.

At a time when Iraq is re-engaging the international market and Greece is consolidating its role as a strategic hub between Europe, the Middle East, and the Eastern Mediterranean, HIBC serves as a formalized bilateral mechanism to support private-sector engagement, policy dialogue, and institutional partnership between the two countries as well as promoting the Western orientation of the world’s sixth largest oil-producing country.

A Trusted Bridge Between Economies

HIBC operates as a neutral and credible convener of businesses, investors, ministries, and policy institutions. Our mission is to facilitate mutual understanding, reduce friction in cross-border cooperation, and enable our members to operate with greater clarity, confidence, and continuity across both markets.

We maintain working relationships with:

Greek and Iraqi ministries of economy, trade, foreign affairs, and investment
Regional institutions such as the Kurdistan Board of Investment and provincial chambers of commerce
Enterprise Greece, Greek export support agencies, and investment facilitation bodies
Greek and Iraqi business federations, banks, and infrastructure stakeholders

Institutional Origins & Leadership

HIBC was co-founded by a coalition of senior Greek and Iraqi business leaders, diplomats, and institutional actors with direct experience in bilateral cooperation. It is structured as a professional, non-partisan initiative, not affiliated with political parties or lobbying entities.

Our Mission

To create a stable institutional framework for long-term economic cooperation between Greece and Iraq
To support trade and investment initiatives, particularly those requiring public–private coordination
To promote Greek private-sector presence in Iraq and support Iraqi investor access to the Greek and EU markets
To act as a reliable point of contact for both governments in relation to private-sector engagement

How We Operate

HIBC is a non-commercial, non-political organization. We do not act as an agent or broker in commercial transactions. Our role is to provide:

Contextual clarity on market conditions, regulatory developments, and access pathways
Introductions between qualified stakeholders, within ethical and transparent frameworks
Support in the organization of business delegations, public–private dialogues, and bilateral forums
Advocacy on behalf of the Greek–Iraqi business community in discussions with public institutions

Membership is open to companies and institutions operating in or between Greece and Iraq, or with a demonstrable interest in bilateral engagement.

What We Do

The Hellenic–Iraqi Business Council (HIBC) serves as an institutional enabler of bilateral business engagement, investment flows, and public–private cooperation between Greece and Iraq. Our work focuses on building practical bridges between stakeholders, reducing friction in cross-border activity, and creating the conditions for long-term economic partnerships.

We support Greek and Iraqi companies, investors, and institutions by offering structured support across five areas:

Business Development & Matchmaking

HIBC connects Greek and Iraqi companies, entrepreneurs, family offices, and institutional actors across sectors. We help members:

Identify high-quality partners, suppliers, and clients
Establish relationships with key decision-makers and local stakeholders
Develop commercial dialogues that can lead to joint ventures, distributorships, tenders, or investment agreements
Navigate initial negotiations and ensure introductions are credible, timely, and relevant

While we do not act as intermediaries in transactions, we ensure that dialogue begins with clarity and intent.

Policy Dialogue & Government Engagement

We maintain open communication with government entities and public authorities in both countries, including:

Ministries of trade, investment, energy, construction, health, and telecommunications
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its economic institutions
Investment promotion agencies and chambers of commerce

Our role is to:

Convey the interests of the Greek–Iraqi business community
Advocate for enabling reforms, regulatory clarity, and the removal of commercial bottlenecks
Support smoother coordination between public authorities and private sector actors

Delegations, Forums & Events

HIBC organizes and co-hosts:

Business missions and delegations to Athens, Baghdad, and Erbil
Thematic roundtables, private sector briefings, and high-level public–private forums
Investor visits and sector-specific roadshows to promote flagship opportunities in both countries

We work closely with ministries, business associations, embassies, and external partners to ensure that each engagement delivers substance, not ceremony.

Strategic Advisory & Market Orientation

For members and prospective entrants into either market, HIBC provides independent, non-commercial orientation on:

Sectoral opportunities and challenges
Institutional structure and relevant local contacts
Regulatory developments, procurement frameworks, and investment incentives
Navigation of bilateral trade structures, VAT regimes, and licensing norms

We are not a substitute for legal or commercial advisory, but we offer early-stage clarity to inform strategic decisions.

Visibility, Advocacy & Bilateral Representation

As a cross-national institution, HIBC supports:

The promotion of flagship bilateral initiatives in media, policy, and investment circles
The development of case studies and success stories that demonstrate the value of Greek–Iraqi commercial cooperation
The representation of member interests in dialogue with embassies, trade attachés, and multilateral stakeholders

We act as an amplifier of serious initiatives and a trusted voice in shaping the future of Greek–Iraqi economic relations.