By John Lee.
Iraq and Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a joint economic and trade committee, marking the conclusion of a visit by Iraq's Minister of Trade, Dr Mustafa Nizar Al-Ani, to Tashkent.
According to the Ministry of Trade, the MoU was signed by Al-Ani on the Iraqi side and by Uzbekistan's Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, in the presence of senior officials from both countries.
The joint committee is intended to serve as an institutional framework for following up on bilateral agreements and strengthening cooperation across economic, trade, and investment areas.
Discussions during the visit also covered:
- Completing procedures for signing an investment promotion and protection agreement
- Opening direct air routes between Iraq and Uzbekistan
- Activating overland transport links to facilitate the movement of passengers and goods
- Studying the establishment of Iraqi and Uzbek trade centres in each country
- Organising a "Made in Uzbekistan" exhibition in Baghdad
- Linking banks in both countries to facilitate financial transfers
The two sides also agreed on initial steps towards establishing an Iraqi-Uzbek Business Council, to serve as a permanent platform for business community engagement and investment opportunity development. The head of the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed readiness to support closer cooperation with Iraq, noting Uzbek companies' interest in entering the Iraqi market.
Discussions focused on promising industrial sectors including glass, textiles, and construction materials.
Al-Ani also extended a formal invitation to Uzbekistan to participate in the next session of the Baghdad International Fair and other specialist exhibitions held in Iraq.
(Source: Iraqi Ministry of Trade)
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