Since its launch in April 2008, the USAID-Tijara Provincial Economic Growth Program has used an integrated approach to economic development that combines financial incentives with educational opportunities to spur private sector development in Iraq.

Tijara, which means trade in Arabic, is a multi-faceted USAID program that works in the areas of sustainable microfinance, bank lending for small and medium enterprises, business development services, youth entrepreneurship, investment promotion and trade reform. It also promotes Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization and provides loans to displaced victims of civil unrest who are attempting to revive their private businesses.

The successful five-year program, now drawing to a close, has added momentum to Iraq’s transition from a centralized economy dominated by inefficient state enterprises to a free market financial system where energetic, innovative and previously underserved entrepreneurs are given the chance to flourish.