The Turkish Minister of Trade, Omer Polat, confirmed that Iraq is one of Turkey's most important trade partners, and ranks third in Turkey's exports, with a volume of $24.2 billion last year.
Omar Polat said in a statement issued by his ministry today, Wednesday, following his visit and a number of Turkish businessmen to Baghdad: "Iraq is our third largest market in the contracting sector, with about 1,100 projects at a value of $34 billion."
In its statement, the Turkish Ministry of Trade described the visit of its minister and Turkish businessmen to Baghdad as a success and an enhanced step towards developing multi-dimensional economic and trade relations between the two countries.
The Turkish ministry of trade indicated in its statement that a delegation of 50 businessmen, as well as representatives of Turkish economic institutions, accompanied Polat on his visit to Baghdad.
Regarding Polat's meeting with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, the ministry stated that Turkey's support for the "development road" project, which extends from the port of Faw on the Gulf, to northern Iraq and then Turkey and Europe, has been confirmed.
It added, "We expressed the desire of Turkish contracting companies to participate in infrastructure, superstructure and reconstruction projects in Iraq."
It pointed out that Rashid called on Turkish companies to contribute to the projects to be implemented in all regions of Iraq.
Regarding the meeting of the Turkish Minister of Trade with Prime Minister Muhammad Al-Sudani, the ministry stated that several issues were discussed, including the opening of a new border crossing between the two countries, noting that Polat and Al-Sudani also discussed new cooperation opportunities in the reconstruction of Iraq during a meeting with representatives of Turkish companies.
It indicated that the Turkish Minister of Trade and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning, Muhammad Tamim, discussed during their meeting the steps that could be taken to develop the record trade volume achieved between the two countries in 2022, and the issue of involving Turkish companies in building new cities within the framework of the “Development Road” project.
Regarding the meeting between Polat and his Iraqi counterpart, Atheer Al-Ghurairi, the ministry explained that the two ministers agreed to increase high-level visits to strengthen mutual relations.
Regarding his meeting with the Iraqi Minister of Construction, Housing and Public Works, Bankin Rikani, the ministry said that Polat and Rikani discussed the completion of projects on the agenda in Iraq, and the effective involvement of Turkish companies in them.
Regarding Polat’s meeting with Transport Minister Razzaq Muhaibas, the ministry indicated that the two sides discussed strengthening relations regarding transit from Iraq.
According to Turkish Trade in its statement, Polat’s meetings in Baghdad took place in an atmosphere that focused on the common economic interests of the two countries, and in line with the spirit of friendly relations between them, and thus a strong step was taken towards developing multi-dimensional economic and trade relations between the two countries./End
Source: National Iraqi News Agency