Iraqi president calls for boosting trade with Kuwait
Kuwaiti minister in Iraq to discuss creation of free trade zone
BAGHDAD: Iraqi President Barham Salih called for bolstering trade ties between his country and Kuwait, and that during a meeting with the visiting Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled AlRoudhan yesterday. The president noted necessity of broadening the cooperation at this level for serving the two brotherly peoples’ interests. Moreover, President Salih called for following up on resolutions of the Kuwait-hosted international conference on rebuilding Iraq, praising Kuwait’s aid for the relocated Iraqis and rebuilding war-damaged regions in the country. Iraq seeks openness with Arab, regional and foreign countries in the economic and industrial fields, he added. Meanwhile, Minister Roudhan affirmed Kuwait’s determination to promote ties with Iraq and Kuwaiti companies’ readiness to invest in the country and contribute to overhauling the infrastructure.
Furthermore, the two sides affirmed the common approach for swapping expertise and coordination on various arenas. Earlier yesterday, Roudhan said that his current visit to Iraq aims to eliminate any hurdles that could encumber the progress of bilateral trade ties. The Kuwaiti minister’s remarks came amid talks with his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Al-Ani, where he pointed out that Baghdad now seeks economic prosperity after ridding its soil of terrorism.
He said bilateral trade remains unsatisfactory, citing a genuine Kuwaiti desire to improve relations in that field, while time is now ripe to accomplish that goal. The Iraqi minister welcomed the prospect of establishing a joint free trade zone with Kuwait, describing it as a measure that would rejuvenate bilateral trade. He said the Kuwaiti minister’s visit will prove instrumental in propelling ties to new heights. Kuwait’s commerce minister arrived in Baghdad earlier yesterday to kick off a two-day visit, in which he is expected to hold talks with senior Iraqi officials. — KUNA