Iraqi President Supports Iranian Companies’ Stronger Role in Iraq’s Economy

An economic advisor of the Iraqi President announced that Jalal Talabani has always stressed and supported facilitated activity and operation of Iranian companies in Iraq’s economic projects, specially in the country’s Kurdistan region.

“I as Mr. Talabani’s representative announce that we are trying to give a majority of projects to the Iranian companies,” Abdullah Haji Saeed told FNA on Sunday.

He said Iraq is trying to have Iran as its biggest trade partner.

He said right now 1,600 trade companies are active in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, adding that Iraq wants Iran, specially major Iranian companies, to have a stronger presence in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

“We have age-old and massive relations with Iranian companies. The relations are not only between Iran and the Kurdistan region but also with (Iraq’s) Southern and Central provinces,” the advisor stated, adding that Kurdistan enjoys a great capacity to attract investments in the housing, agriculture and tourism fields.

Haji Saeed further said three economic zones will be formed along the borders between Iran and the Iraqi Kurdistan region in the near future and the new economic zones will double the current $4bln trade ties between Iran and the KRG government.

Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, in 2003.

Both sides are working on a series of plans to take wide strides in expanding their ties.