An Iraqi official has blamed the government for long delays in projects, saying some projects have even been completely stopped because of government inaction.

Chairman of Baghdad Investment Commission (VIC) Shakir Al-Zamli said there is a need to create investment bodies to carry out housing and other projects in Iraq's governorates to slash project permit time and ensure all projects are finished on schedule.

"There is no single decision-making body in most governorates and the bulk of projects have to be approved by various ministries and departments...this is causing failure of many projects," he told the Iraqi Al-Forat TV.

He said most of projects in Baghdad are overseen by BIC after the introduction of a unified investment law, adding that a large number of projects in the capital have been completed on schedule despite delays in old projects.

"The situation in Baghdad is better now...I believe projects should be undertaken by investors because they do not want to lose money...the main reason for project delays and stoppage in most Iraqi governorates is authority divergence and the required approval by too many departments," he said.

"What we also need is for the government to present investors with a roadmap to facilitate their work and push ahead with projects...unfortunately, what we see at present is completely the opposite."

(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com)

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