Uzbekistan and Iraq Discuss Expanding Trade and Economic Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During a working visit to the Republic of Iraq, Shohruh Gulamov, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT) of Uzbekistan, held a series of bilateral meetings with the heads of key state bodies and business structures of Iraq and took part in the Uzbekistan–Iraq Business Forum in Baghdad.

In talks with Juma Al-Bahadli, Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources; Ghassan Hamid, Deputy Minister of Trade for Economic Affairs; Salar Muhammad Amin, Deputy Chairman of the National Investment Commission; Adil Al-Aqqab, Head of the Iraqi Industrialists’ Union; and Ibrahim Al-Baghdadi, Chairman of the Economic Council of Iraq, the sides discussed ways to expand trade and economic cooperation.

The discussions covered measures to remove trade and regulatory barriers, optimise tariffs on priority Uzbek goods, speed up certification procedures, and develop logistics based on regional transport hubs.

Particular focus was given to prospects for increasing the export of construction materials, textiles, carpets, food products and jewellery, as well as enabling Uzbek companies to enter the Iraqi market.

Speaking at the business forum, organised with the support of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Iraq and the Economic Council of Iraq, Shohruh Gulamov emphasised that trade is a priority for deepening economic partnership and highlighted the significant untapped potential of bilateral trade.

Cooperation opportunities in industry and mineral resources were also discussed, including the establishment of joint ventures, raw material processing, supplies of refined metals, and engineering services and equipment.

The forum brought together more than 150 representatives of Iraqi state bodies and businesses, as well as 25 leading Uzbek companies from the food, textile, pharmaceutical, electrical engineering, furniture and construction materials sectors. Participants were familiarised with Uzbekistan’s investment climate and export potential, while B2B meetings and an exhibition of Uzbek products were held on the sidelines.

Following the visit, the Iraqi side was invited to consider holding the first meeting of the Uzbekistan–Iraq Joint Economic Committee and the next business forum in Uzbekistan.