EU: Integrated Support Project Contributed to Creating Opportunities for Youth in 4 Years

Baghdad-INA  
The Head of Cooperation in the European Union Program in Iraq, Lennart Derider, confirmed today, Sunday, that the Integrated Support Project contributed to creating opportunities for agricultural work and for the youth in 4 years of implementation, while pointing out that the project is a good example of the common goal of the Iraqi government to create sustainable opportunities in the agricultural sector.
 
Derider said, in a speech during the meeting (Integrated Support for Job Creation in Iraq, through the Development of the Value Chain for Agricultural Business and Financial Inclusion) attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The project (Integrated Support for Job Creation in Iraq, through the Development of the Value Chain for Agricultural Business and Financial Inclusion) is starting today towards conclusion," indicating that "the agricultural sector currently constitutes 21% of the workforce in Iraq, and about 25% of them are women."
 
He added that "over the past twenty years, the agricultural sector in Iraq has been exposed to many problems related to access to financing in agricultural projects, which posed additional challenges, including the need for technical expertise, competition from imported crops, and other governmental problems, in addition to climate change."
 
He continued that "this project is a good example of the Iraqi government's common goal to create sustainable opportunities for the agricultural sector, and we look forward to hearing success stories from business owners who have benefited from the project and the fund," noting that "the project supports opportunities and livelihoods in medium and small agricultural businesses to access financing in Iraq."
Derider pointed out that "the support does not only create sustainable job opportunities, but also contributes to creating opportunities for agricultural work and for the youth category within four years of implementation."
 
He continued: "We congratulate the International Organization for Migration and government partners on this achievement, which supported hundreds of agricultural businesses, created opportunities and supported employment through innovation and experts through our partnership with the Iraqi government, in addition to designing long-term sustainable businesses. After the initial grant, we achieved what we have reached."
 
He expressed his "thanks to the International Organization for Migration for implementing the project and bringing in technical expertise in the field of company development. He also thanked the Iraqi government for engaging in this project, as well as the Ministries of Planning and Agriculture, which played a very effective role in the success of this project."