Foreign direct investment and small & medium-sized enterprises (SME) - chosen experiences and the extent to which Iraq can benefit from them?

The importance of small and medium-sized enterprises has increased in recent years because of their important role in economic development. Several studies have pointed to the importance of such projects and their role in reducing transaction costs, enhancing individual interactions and innovation, enhancing industrial competitiveness, increasing productivity and promoting industrial advancement. Much of the economic literature has shown a positive relationship between foreign investment in small and medium enterprises and economic development, which reinforces the need for foreign investment in these projects in developing countries. This study aims to address the experiences of selected countries and try to identify factors that enhance the role of foreign investment in the development of small and medium enterprises and try to benefit from them in the Kurdistan region. The study revealed the need to provide local protection to local companies and build their capacities through government support so that they can act as a supplier to foreign companies and encourage investment in sub-regions, in addition to the need to establish a special council for small and medium enterprises in region