Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Announces the “Energy City” Project Plan in Al-Faw from Houston •••••••••• The Bilateral Chamber of Commerce hosted Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi at a joint economic dialogue forum held in Houston, Texas, attended by the Minister of Oil, the Minister of Electricity, a number of advisers, and a large gathering of representatives of U.S. companies, business leaders, investors, bankers, and representatives of investment, financing, and advisory institutions. At the opening of the forum, Prime Minister Al-Zaidi delivered remarks in which he affirmed the government’s determination to remove all obstacles and barriers to attracting investment. He also announced the plans for the “Energy City” projects on the waterfront of the Al-Faw Peninsula in southern Iraq, which include oil refining and crude processing complexes, gas production and gathering facilities, power generation plants, all connected to the strategic oil pipeline network and the Development Road corridor. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to launching a new era of Iraqi-U.S. cooperation in the energy sector, stressing that Iraq today needs partners, not contractors. He affirmed that the government will provide all necessary guarantees to ensure a secure and supportive investment environment, accompanied by financial and banking reforms that facilitate business operations and create more employment opportunities. For his part, David Phillips, Chairman of the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Prime Minister Al-Zaidi’s participation in the forum, affirming the desire of the Texas business community, the broader private sector, and leading U.S. companies from various industries and states to invest in and cooperate with Iraq and seize the promising opportunities offered by the country’s long-term plans to increase crude oil and natural gas production from developed fields, in addition to contributing to the energy sector. ••••• Media Office of the Prime Minister July 16, 2026