Iran non-oil exports to Iraq expected to reach $9bn

Najaf, Dec 9, IRNA – Iranian ambassador in Baghdad said that the non-oil export to Iraq is expected to reach 8.5 to 9 billion dollars by the end of this Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2019). “Trade relations between Iran and Iraq have increased in recent months despite the financial difficulties,” said Iraj Masjedi in a meeting with the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader to Iraq Mojtaba Hosseini and other heads of Iranian cultural organizations in Iraq. “Iran’s non-oil exports to Iraq is expected to reach 8.5 to 9 billion dollars by the end of the year; it was some 6.5 billion dollars by the end of the last Iranian calendar year of 1396 [March 20, 2018].” Pointing to the increase of the gas exports from 12 million square meters to 20 million, he added, “Iraq was the third export destination of Iranian goods after China and the United Arab Emirates, but now is the first.” Saying that beneficial agreements have been signed in order to enhance the economic presence of Iran in Iraqi markets, Masjedi added that a trade conference which is to be held with the attendance of the two countries’ trade ministers, governors, and major traders on December 16 is among the latest fruits of the economic collaborations. Seven percent of Iraq’s total imports is provided by Iran. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish