LocationsAnah Sewing Factory Rehabilitation
"Made in Iraq": Stitching Hope and Quality Back into Local Markets
November 10, 2025
Photos: UNDP Iraq/ Hamza Ahmed Hamza
In the heart of Anah city, in Iraq’s Anbar governorate, hope is being woven back together, piece by piece. Anah Sewing Factory, after falling silent for many years, the factory today is bustling with activity and proudly producing clothes bearing the "Made in Iraq" label once again.
This project, supported by UNDP's Iraq Stabilization Programme, marks a renewed life and a vital turning point for an entire community. It’s more than just an economic activity; it’s a symbol of the community’s return to normal life after years of conflict with ISIL.
The rehabilitation of the Anah sewing factory represents a qualitative leap on multiple levels. In addition to creating job opportunities within the city, it marks a significant stride forward in producing high-quality local garments for markets across Iraq. This resurgence is encouraging merchants to source their products from the factory once more. Furthermore, the project is helping to restore citizens' confidence in local products and is actively contributing to the return of economic security for the city's residents.
Resuming Production
The factory was originally established in 1994 by the Ministry of Industry and Minerals with a clear mission: to create vital employment opportunities for the people of Anah. For many years, the city suffered from a severe shortage of job options, forcing many residents either to leave in search of better prospects or to take up government positions in nearby areas such as Al-Qa’im and Haditha. When the factory first opened, it provided local residents with much-needed economic opportunities and a level of stability they had never experienced before.
The revival of the Anah Sewing Factory involved four key steps:
• Comprehensive facility rehabilitation, including the installation of 83 modern sewing machines and steam pressing equipment
• Intensive worker training on operating high-speed electronic machinery
• Establishment of marketing partnerships with various government ministries and local merchants
• Ensuring efficient and effective access of products to the local market
Thanks to its successful rehabilitation, the Anah Sewing Factory is now poised to once again become a beacon of economic revival and community empowerment. The factory had been forced to halt operations for extended periods due to conflict and instability in the region, but today it is back in full swing—producing high-quality garments and gradually returning its products to local markets.
Today, the hum of modern sewing machines has replaced the silence that once filled the facility. Skilled workers are meticulously crafting everyday clothing, medical uniforms, and contemporary apparel for all age groups—delivering high quality and meeting standardized specifications that rival those of imported garments.
Quality Speaks for Itself
The excellence is visibly clear in the products of the Anah Sewing Factory, as the city's residents notice the distinct quality of the products.
Muhammad Mazhar, a local grocery store owner in the market, says: "You can see the quality in the stitching of these clothes. They are durable, well-made, and we are proud of them as local products. We are truly happy with the factory's reopening—it is an icon of our city."
Hamdiya Hilal, a homemaker, adds: "The factory's return did more than just put products back on shelves—it restored local pride. Seeing the 'Made in Iraq' label on clothes in our stores again fills our hearts with pride. We are not just buying clothes; we are supporting the recovery of our entire community."
For her part, Ghurrid Mustafa Awad confirms the quality of the products, saying: "I came specifically to buy clothes for my brother who works outside the city because of their quality and durability. I am happy to be purchasing these clothes for my brother."
As for Qays Hazem, a gas worker, he expresses his joy, saying: "I am truly happy to wear clothes produced by a historic factory like the Anah factory. The factory's products have been with us since my childhood, and even now, as a worker, these clothes still accompany me in my work. I hope the factory continues its production so that I can see my children wearing them in the future as well."
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Workers unanimously agree that the factory has changed their lives for the better, and they stand as the best testament to this project’s impact. Kawthar Hilal, an experienced worker, says: “After years of conflict and instability, I am finally returning to the work I excel at. The advanced training we received in modern sewing techniques has enabled us to develop our skills like never before. Today, we produce garments that rival imported products in quality.”
Hanan Mohammed, one of the trainees in the program, adds: “The advanced training has completely changed my perspective on garment manufacturing. With access to this modern equipment, sewing has become a true source of inspiration for me.”
Engineer Qudwa Hamdi, who supervises the factory's operations, says: "Today, we are working better than we did in the past. Our workers are now trained in the latest techniques, and our equipment meets international standards. The clothes we produce today are of higher quality than anything we manufactured before the reconstruction."
Mr. Omar, the factory manager, concludes by addressing the ongoing difficulties: "We continue to face challenges to this day, including shortages in skilled labor and raw materials for production. We still need more support to stand firmly on our feet and compete with imported products."
About the Project
This project was implemented through the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Stabilization Programme for Liberated Areas, in cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals, and with generous funding from the Government of New Zealand. Training programs were also carried out under the Capacity Development Programme, funded by the Government of Sweden.
The story of the Anah Sewing Factory demonstrates how traditional livelihoods, when combined with modern training, equipment, and reconstruction, can become powerful engines for community recovery. As the "Made in Iraq" label continues to reappear in markets, it carries with it the quality, pride, and resilience of a community determined to design its own future.