The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) officially welcomes Iraq as a country of operation. The Bank appointed Catarina Bjorlin Hansen as its first Head of Iraq. Additionally, Hansen will lead EBRD investments, operations, and initiatives in the country. She will report directly to Gretchen Biery, EBRD Director for the eastern Mediterranean region.
Therefore, the appointment follows the Board of Governors’ approval to expand EBRD operations to Iraq. This decision also allows the Bank to operate in sub-Saharan Africa. The move signals the Bank’s commitment to promoting private-sector development and supporting economic diversification in Iraq.
Moreover, Catarina Bjorlin Hansen said she feels honored to take this role. She emphasized that EBRD plans to support green and inclusive economic growth in Iraq. The Bank will focus on investments that strengthen private companies, infrastructure, finance, and sustainable development.
Additionally, Hansen brings extensive experience to her new post. She joined EBRD in 2006 and managed municipal infrastructure projects across Central Asia and the Caucasus. In 2016, she became Deputy Head of Egypt operations. By 2019, she advanced to Regional Director for the Caucasus and, more recently, led operations in Moldova.
Before joining, Hansen worked at Carl Bro, an environmental infrastructure consultancy. She served in Copenhagen, Moscow, and Bangkok, gaining expertise in development finance. She earned an MSc in Development Finance from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.
The EBRD aims to promote private-sector development across emerging markets. The Bank invests in 42 economies, supporting their transition to greener, more inclusive, and digital systems. Since its creation in 1991, it has invested over €215 billion. Notably, 79 percent of these funds have supported private-sector projects.
Therefore, in Iraq, EBRD plans to collaborate with local businesses, investors, and authorities. The Bank aims to fund initiatives that foster innovation, economic stability, and sustainable growth. Through these efforts, EBRD intends to strengthen Iraq’s role as a regional economic hub.
With Hansen leading the efforts, EBRD highlights Iraq as a priority for green and private-sector investments. Her leadership is expected to attract international capital and promote inclusive development across the country.