As investment opportunities in Iraq grow, more foreign companies are looking to establish a formal presence — whether through a full branch or a representative office. This is one of Almadar’s principal practice areas: we have guided more than 130 foreign companies along this path.

Branch or representative office?

The choice depends on the activity you plan to carry out:

  • Branch: conducts commercial activity in the name of the parent company and may contract and execute projects inside Iraq.
  • Representative office: limited to research, marketing and liaison, without direct commercial activity.

Core requirements

The registration file generally comprises the parent company’s documents, duly legalised and attested, most importantly:

  1. The parent company’s certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association.
  2. A board resolution to open the branch in Iraq and appoint the authorised director.
  3. The company’s financial statements.
  4. Powers of attorney for the legal representative in Iraq.

All foreign documents are subject to translation and attestation requirements before the competent authorities.

Approvals and government coordination

Registration proceeds through the Companies Registrar at the Iraqi Ministry of Trade, and may require sector approvals depending on the activity. This is where the experience of local counsel matters most:

  • Legal coordination between the foreign company and Iraqi government ministries and departments.
  • Securing approvals and following the file through to issuance of the registration certificate.
  • Managing contracts the company concludes with Iraqi entities or among themselves.

After registration

The registration certificate is not the end of it. Ongoing compliance covers taxation, social security, licence renewals and periodic reporting — files our legal and financial team handles on our clients’ behalf.

In short: entering the Iraqi market is considerably easier alongside a local partner who knows the procedures and the requirements of the official departments.

This article is for general information only and does not substitute for specialised legal advice on your situation. The Almadar team is ready to walk you through opening a branch in Iraq — get in touch.