PM Al-Sudani speaks at the inauguration of the Taawon Hypermarket shopping center in Baghdad on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Photo: Al-Sudani's media office)
Monitor
‘The state must be actively involved’ in food security, says PM Al-Sudani
BAGHDAD – Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani inaugurated the Taawon Hypermarket in Al-Bayaa, Baghdad, on Wednesday, a project aimed at providing food and essential goods at subsidized prices. Through a televised conference, he also launched five additional centers in various districts of Baghdad and initiated construction on 23 similar projects across the country.
Touring the hypermarket, Al-Sudani stressed that the Ministry of Trade must continue with its plan to establish 150 similar centers nationwide.
“The concept behind this project was to counter rising food prices due to global conditions and wars, which have significantly impacted local markets,” Al-Sudani said. “When it comes to ensuring food security for citizens, the state must be actively involved.”
Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani inaugurated today, Wednesday, the Taawon Hypermarket shopping center in Al-Bayaa, which sells food, goods, and products at subsidized prices in Baghdad. Additionally, through a televised conference, he inaugurated five more shopping centers in the districts of Al-Hurriya, Al-Salihiya, Al-Shaab, Palestine Street, and Jamila. He also launched the construction work of 23 similar projects in Baghdad and other provinces.
During his visit, Prime Minister Al-Sudani toured the sections of Taawon Hypermarket in Al-Bayaa and met with the workers, emphasizing the importance of social security coverage for all employees in the private sector. He also visited the wings displaying locally produced goods, commending the efforts that contributed to the success of this vital economic project. He stressed that the Ministry of Trade must proceed with its plan, which aims to open 150 similar centers across all provinces. Furthermore, he announced that directives would be issued to grant social protection beneficiaries a specific discount on essential goods and food products at these centers.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani explained that the concept behind this project was to counter rising food prices due to global conditions and wars, which have significantly impacted local markets. He noted the government’s intervention at the time to regulate prices and ensure the availability of essential food supplies to citizens.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the Ministry of Trade’s role extends beyond commercial exchange to also include supporting national industry by meeting the needs of the local market. He pointed out that Iraq imports goods and products worth $70 billion annually, a figure that requires careful review. He emphasized that the Ministry of Trade plays a key role in preparing the necessary conditions for the private sector to help reduce reliance on imports, which deplete foreign currency reserves.
Key Highlights from Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s Remarks:
🔷 When it comes to ensuring food security for citizens, the state must be actively involved.
🔷 We have controlled food prices in cooperation with the private sector, despite the impact of foreign currency exchange rates.
🔷 We have partnered with the private sector to open outlets for displaying food products and other goods needed by citizens.
🔷 The Taawon Hypermarket expands on traditional central markets by offering a broader range of products to meet evolving economic needs.
🔷 The pilot phase of operations began weeks ago, and there has been clear public demand, with the goal of providing lower prices compared to market rates.
🔷 The Taawon Hypermarket projects aim to ensure that at least 60% of displayed goods are locally produced or manufactured in Iraq.
🔷 We encourage the expansion of these centers under this model and the availability of locally produced goods.
🔷 We call on businessmen and the private sector to take advantage of the unprecedented government support currently available.
🔷 Private sector support begins with providing sovereign guarantees for industrial projects, followed by the Iraq Development Fund, and continues through ongoing economic reforms covering financial, tax, lending, and banking sectors.
🔷 Our commitment to fostering a supportive environment for the private sector is driven by the necessity for the Iraqi state to back and strengthen this sector comprehensively.
🔷 We have directed the Industrial Coordination Council to hold monthly meetings to ensure the adoption of significant decisions for the industrial sector, with the Ministry of Trade actively participating in these discussions.
🔷 We are fully committed to encouraging national industries and providing a business-friendly environment for the private sector.