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Over the past 100 days. Iran has exported $ 2.5 billion worth of goods to Iraq. which suggests that $ 25 million worth of goods were exported by Iran each day. indicating an increase by more than 20% compared to the same period in last year.“ said Hamid Hosseini. Secretary General of Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce. addressing a big Iran-Iraq conference attended by the economic agents of the two neighboring countries in Tehran on Saturday.
He added that cooperation in the field of industry and services was the most important priority of Iran-Iraq joint chamber. adding that the signing of the transit agreement and the re-exporting of Iranian goods from Iraq to other countries in the region was another priority for the chamber.
Hosseini went on to say that the Iranian side is trying to import goods from Iraq in cooperation with the Central Bank of Iraq using the revenues from the exported commodities and services to the neighboring country.
Referring to a $ 200 million credit channel for Iranian contractors in Iraq. he said `we expect the Iraqi government to pay the bills of the Iranian contractors through that channel. so that this credit channel can continue to work.“
Hosseini also pointed out that the Iranian side is following up on the progress of constructing two joint industrial towns at border crossings of Arvand in Khuzestan province and Parvizkhan in Kermanshah province.
The secretary-general of the Iran-Iraq joint chamber further called on the Iraqi ambassador to take action in issuing long-term visas for Iranian businessmen.
Also on Saturday. Iraqi Ambassador to Iran Sa’ad Jawad Qandil told a trade conference in Tehran that Baghdad is in dire need of economic and technical helps by the Islamic Republic to reconstruct the Arab country. asserting that his country cherishes its ties with Iran heedless of US pressures.
Qandil said that Iraq dearly needs Tehran’s economic and technical support as it seeks to rebuild territories ravaged by the ISIL terrorists while insisting that US pressure would fail to break the intimate bonds between the two neighbors.
“Huge damage was inflicted on Iraq during the time of the ISIL and we need Iran’s contribution to reverse the damage.“ the ambassador added.
Qandil said US economic sanctions on Iran would be no deterrent to Iraq and its efforts to consolidate trade and business ties with its Iran. insisting the two neighboring countries were “determined to weather the crisis“.
He said Iraq’s refusal to adhere to US sanctions on Iran was meant to compensate Iran’s support for Iraq which persisted until two years ago when the Arab country purged the ISIL militants from its territories.
“As Iran was beside Iraq at the time of the ISIL insurgency. now Iraq will stand by its friendly and neighboring country during sanctions.“ said the Iraqi ambassador.
In his speech. Qandil expressed hope that the value of trade between Iraq and Iran could increase from the current level of $12 billion and reach a target of $20 billion a year.
He said that Iraqi embassy in Tehran was ready to issue free-of-charge visas. which has been in place for Iranian pilgrims since last year. for businessman. saying the process would be carried out in the shortest time possible.
The envoy also called for setting up industrial zones in regions near the border between Iran and Iraq. saying the move would lead to economic developments in those areas.
On Tuesday. Yahya Al Eshaq. who heads the Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce. said Iran has exported some $13 billion worth of goods and services to neighboring Iraq in the last local calendar year (March 21. 2018-March 20. 2019). which marks a 37% increase in a year-on-year comparison.
He said a major part of Iran’s export to Iraq has been technical and engineering services offered to the Arab country by companies from the Iranian private sector.
Back in May. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underlined that Baghdad will not loosen relations with Iran despite Washington`s sanctions.
Also in May. Iraqi Power Minister Luay al-Khateeb announced that Baghdad has informed the US that it will not comply with the US’ unilateral sanctions against Tehran as the Arab country still needs Iran’s gas and electricity.
