Peter Nelson, the Swiss Ambassador to Iraq, confirmed on Thursday that Iraq has transformed into a secure and appealing environment for foreign investments and businesses. This declaration was made during a meeting in Baghdad where he was received by Mohammed
Ali Al-Lami, head of the Integrity Commission, to discuss strengthening joint cooperation. During their discussion, Al-Lami cautioned against the grave dangers of corruption, emphasizing that such crimes now transcend borders and continents, necessitating collective international efforts to apprehend perpetrators and recover
illicit proceeds. He highlighted the critical need to enhance bilateral cooperation in combating corruption, aligning with national laws and the UN Convention against Corruption, and expressed optimism for advancing collaboration with Switzerland to facilitate the recovery of Iraqi funds from
Swiss banks for the state treasury. Al-Lami further stressed the vital role of the community in supporting anti-corruption efforts, advocating for stronger partnerships with civil society and fostering a culture of integrity and reporting suspicious activities. The Swiss Ambassador, in turn,
affirmed the importance of international cooperation in tackling corruption, praising Iraq's significant progress in addressing this challenge. Ambassador Nelson also highlighted Iraq's prevailing security and stability, asserting that these conditions have significantly boosted the country's standing as a safe and attractive
destination for foreign investments and companies. He noted the operations of several Swiss firms in Iraq and growing interest from others keen to enter the market, spurred by this improved secure environment.
