Working in Iraq

Facts and Statistics Location: Middle East Capital: Baghdad Climate: Mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers Population: 28,221,180 Religions: Islam Language: Arabic Government: Parliamentary Democracy

Iraqi Business Culture

• Iraqi business people are relatively formal in their business dealings.

1. The common Arabic greeting is "asalaamu alaikum" (peace be with you), to which you should respond "wa alaikum salaam" (and peace be with you).
2. The most common business greeting is the handshake with direct eye contact.
3. Handshakes can be rather prolonged; try not to be the first person to remove your hand.
4. Men should wait to see if a woman extends her hand.
5. Business cards are given out.
6. It’s a nice touch to have one side of your card translated into Arabic.
7. The need to save face and protect honour means that showing emotions is seen negatively. Displays of anger are a serious no-no. If you must show disapproval it is always best to do so in a one-to-one, quietly and with tact.
8. Always keep your word. Do not make a promise or guarantee unless you can keep it. If you want to show a commitment to something but do not want to make caste iron assurances then employ terms such as “I will do my best,” “We will see,” or the local term “insha-Allah” (God willing).
9. Iraqi businesspeople are not afraid of asking blunt and probing questions. These may be about you, your company or its intentions.