Iraq’s food business booms despite war, economic slump

5 April 2016

Baghdad: Iraqi businessman Zaid Nazo has always been sure of his nation’s deep passion for food and wasn’t afraid to dream big when he transformed his small Baghdad coffee shop in 1999 into a casual dining and takeaway restaurant. Today, the 41-year-old father of two has opened four branches and his chain is one of the most popular in Iraq.

epa03655304 A general view shows the Firdos Square where the statue of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was brought down in 2003, in central Baghdad, Iraq, 09 April 2013. Iraq on 09 April marks the tenth anniversary since the fall of Baghdad. The destruction of the famous statue on 09 April 2003 was a symbolic end of the Battle of Baghdad. Ten years after the US-led invasion to Iraq the country continues to suffer from violence from the escalating violence amid a political crisis between the Shiite-led government and Iraq's once dominant Sunni minority.  EPA/ALI ABBAS

Many Iraqi entrepreneurs are finding restaurants and eateries a safe business bet, despite the country’s slumping economy, prevailing violence and an ongoing war with Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).

The food business is booming. There are 40 per cent more restaurants in Baghdad today than there were in 2013 — when security and economic conditions in the country were much better -according to Shakir Al Zamili, the chairman of Baghdad Investment Commission.

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