Muthanna governor declares governorate ‘investment hub’

SAMAWAH — Muthanna Governor Muhannad Al-Tabi has proclaimed his region as Iraq’s investment capital, challenging its reputation as impoverished backwater.

In an interview with newly appointed Iraqi Media Network head Karim Hamadi on the Al-Ashira program, Al-Tabi unveiled plans to rebrand the governorate by year’s end, addressing land distribution issues.

“Muthanna has been overlooked, which is no secret. It’s disheartening to hear it labeled as underprivileged. Currently, Muthanna is at the forefront of investment among the governorates,” al-Tabi stated, underscoring the importance of this shift. He highlighted the investor confidence in the region, noting, “My money and business are secure here, with a 100% safety rate that exceeds other areas. Regardless of the country’s challenges, I can leave my factory doors open and still have peace of mind.”

Al-Tabi also praised Muthanna’s industrial strengths, including hosting some of Iraq’s leading food and paper industries—potentially the largest in the region—as well as a steel and plastic production facility and 400 investment projects, encompassing industrial ventures. Despite having over 8 million dunams of agricultural land, he acknowledged a discrepancy between the governorate’s potential output and its actual production, a gap he is determined to bridge by the end of the year.

A critical issue Al-Tabi highlighted is that “98% of the governorate’s land is designated for agriculture, which legally hampers the provision of municipal services.” He proposed enhancing service efforts as a remedy.

The recognition of Muthanna’s safety and potential by the Japanese ambassador signifies international interest in the governorate. Al-Tabi also addressed local expectations regarding land distribution, announcing initiatives to expropriate new lands for diverse uses and to update urban planning strategies to benefit more families, including those of martyrs.

With 2,500 land plots already earmarked and a plan to acquire 10,000 more in a specific district—potentially doubling the number—and 1,500 in another region, plus considering the transformation of an unused railway track into additional plots, al-Tabi is set to address the land scarcity and support Muthanna’s residents.