By John Lee.
Turkey's Minister of Trade, Prof. Dr. Omer Bolat, has affirmed that Turkey will assume a key role in Iraq's reconstruction, supported by the experience of Turkish contractors who have completed projects worth $36.6 billion in the country.
Speaking in Baghdad at the Iraq General Trade and Contracting Delegation Meeting -- organised by the Ministry of Trade in cooperation with the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and the Turkish Contractors Association (TMB) -- Minister Bolat underlined Turkey's readiness to contribute to Iraq's rebuilding process through active participation in infrastructure and development initiatives such as the Development Road Project.
He noted that bilateral trade between Turkey and Iraq reached $17.5 billion in 2024, making Turkey Iraq's leading supplier and its third-largest contractor partner. Turkish companies have so far undertaken 1,145 projects valued at $36.6 billion in Iraq.
Bolat reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to playing an active role in the Development Road Project, which aims to link Iraq to Europe through Turkey, adding that both nations are determined to build a new development story grounded in shared history and mutual prosperity.
New Economic Agreements Signed Under JETCO Framework
During the Turkey-Iraq Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) second-term meeting, Bolat and his Iraqi counterpart, Etir Dawood Salman Al-Ghreyri, signed the Second-Term Protocol and a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the exhibition and trade fair sector.
These documents pave the way for deeper collaboration in key areas including trade facilitation, investment climate enhancement, and joint logistics and infrastructure projects. The fair cooperation agreement is expected to boost interactions between the business communities of both countries through joint exhibitions and events.
Bolat stated that the agreements demonstrate both countries' strong determination to achieve the target of a $30 billion bilateral trade volume.
Baghdad Turkish Export Products Fair Highlights Growing Bilateral Confidence
As part of the Baghdad visit, Bolat and Minister Al-Ghreyri inaugurated the Baghdad Turkish Export Products Fair, which featured 27 Turkish companies across diverse sectors including construction, food, textiles, and defence industries. The fair showcased Turkey's high-tech, value-added production capacity and reflected the private sector's strong confidence in Iraq's economy.
Minister Bolat emphasised that the fair plays a significant role in advancing towards the medium-term goal of $30 billion in trade between the two countries. He reiterated Turkey's commitment to deepening regional cooperation and sustainable trade under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
During the event, the ministers toured the exhibition stands, receiving briefings from participating Turkish companies on their operations and investment plans in Iraq.
Minister Bolat concluded that Turkey's production and export strength will continue to serve as a pillar of prosperity and stability in the region.
(Source: Turkish Ministry of Trade)
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