Iraq Welcomes Iranian Help In Rebuilding The Country’s Infrastructure
By Louise Turner | Your News Wire
Iraqi Minister for Reconstruction and Housing Tariq al-Khikani has urged Iranian firms to play a bigger role in his country’s reconstruction for which Baghdad aims to spend $400 billion.
Press TV reports: Iran is currently a key ally of Iraq in the region, where bilateral ties have seen a complete turnaround from sworn enemies under the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Annual trade stands at $12 billion which the two countries plan to raise to $20 billion.
“The Iraqi government has envisaged $400 billion for rebuilding the country’s infrastructure in which Iran can have a significant share,” Iraq’s Deputy Commerce Minister Walid Habib al-Mousavi said in Tehran.
He made the comments in a meeting with Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh who called for serious efforts to expand bilateral cooperation.
The two sides discussed supply of foodstuff and other basic goods to Iraq as well as construction of refineries and cooperation in banking and auto industry sectors.
Netmazadeh expressed hope that Iraq could develop an “Arab brand of car with the cooperation of Iranian automakers”.
The minister said the two sides also agreed to accelerate cooperation between their central banks.