The 16th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum and Exhibition kicked off in the Austrian capital, Vienna, alongside the 1st Iraq-Austria-Europe Economic and Trade Forum. The event aims to transition economic relations from traditional trade exchange toward building sustainable industrial and investment partnerships.

Organized over two days by the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Austria, the forum features broad participation from government officials, diplomats, and representatives of Arab and European companies. Opening sessions emphasized the critical need to continue economic planning and prepare infrastructure and regional connectivity projects without waiting for ongoing international crises to subside.

The Iraqi delegation presented a development vision aimed at repositioning the country on the global economic map by leveraging its natural resources and geographic location into a productive base. The vision focuses on cooperation across key sectors, including transportation, renewable energy, manufacturing, food security, and digital transformation. Meanwhile, the Union of Arab Chambers stressed the importance of converting available opportunities into bankable projects and advancing human capital development to drive sustainable growth.

Forum sessions address core topics such as sustainable agriculture, food security, and major transport, railway, and manufacturing infrastructure projects, featuring insights from officials and representatives of leading Austrian and international corporations.