Al-Shammari: Bribery and sectarian quotas have turned Iraq into an environment hostile to investment.
Al-Shammari: Bribery and sectarian quotas have turned Iraq into an environment hostile to investment.
8-20-2026
Information/Baghdad…
MP Mohammed al-Shammari affirmed on Thursday that the rampant corruption within the state apparatus represents the greatest obstacle to the growth of the national economy and the attraction of local and foreign investments. He warned of the repercussions of the continued absence of transparency and bureaucracy on the investment climate in the country.
Al-Shammari told the Information Agency, “The rampant corruption within the state apparatus represents the greatest obstacle that stifles the national economy and drives away both foreign and domestic investments.” He explained that “addressing this phenomenon is a fundamental step to improving the economic environment and creating suitable conditions for capital.”
He added that “the lack of transparency, the bureaucracy of bribery, and political patronage have transformed the investment environment into a hostile environment for capital,” noting that “investors seek an environment that provides legal guarantees and economic and administrative stability.”
Al-Shammari stressed “the necessity of enhancing transparency, combating corruption, and reducing bureaucratic procedures,” emphasizing that “providing a stable and secure investment environment would contribute to attracting capital, stimulating the national economy, and creating new opportunities for development.”
Figures reveal the extent of the cost of corruption in Iraq. Estimates suggest that around $350 billion has been smuggled out of the country since 2003, while the economy has lost billions of dollars due to waste and bribery. In the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, Iraq ranked 136th out of 180 countries with a score of 28 out of 100, reflecting an investment climate that repels capital.
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