Iraq eager to boost trade ties with Iran

Iraqi deputy trade minister said on Tuesday that Iraqi government is willing to develop commercial and economic relations with Iran and cooperate with Iranian firms to provide necessary needs of the Iraqi nation.

Iraqi Deputy Trade Minister Walid Habib al-Helou made the remarks during a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Industry Minister Khosrowtaj who is leading an Iranian delegation in Baghdad.

“Iran is an influential state who shares long borders with Iraq,” noted al-Helou stressing that the Iraqi government was seeking to bolster trade ties with Tehran.

He added that Iraq intended to promote good trade and economic ties with all neighboring countries, Iran in particular, and the meeting with the Iranian delegation discussed bilateral issues in various areas between the two sides and in lines with their interests.

The Iraqi official further noted that Iranian delegation, led by President of Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO) Mojtaba Khosrowtaj and comprising private and state-run sectors' activists, held talks with the Iraqi minister of industries and mines and caretaker of trade ministry and a number of Iraqi economic activists.

“In a meeting with the Iranian side on Monday, I discussed commercial relations and barriers,” said Iraq’s deputy foreign minister emphasizing that “one major topic was cooperation with Iranian firms to provide necessary needs of the Iraqi nation.”

SOURCE: Mehrnews