Speaking at the opening ceremony of Iran’s specialized exhibition in Iraq, Governor of Iraq’s Basra Province Majid al-Nasrawi said Basra marks the second Islamic city after Mecca and the largest oil resources of Iraq reside here as the city exports a daily average of 3 million crude barrels.
Al-Nasrawi said 80 per cent of Iraq’s economy relies on oil exports adding “all Iraqi ports are located in Basra and in addition to other geographical advantages in the province, we are seeking to connect Basra to Istanbul as well as to create Shalamcheh Free Trade Zone in near future.”
“Basra has always been known as the city of cultures,” noted the Iraqi official asserting “we attach importance to holding of similar exhibitions since they place Basra on the trade map as well as that with the launch of a railroad between Basra and Khorramshahr of Iran, the trade volume between the two countries will hopefully experience a significant increase.”
Also, Head Mission of Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Basra Hamid Reza Mokhtas Abadi said holding of the exposition has provided a great opportunity to introduce Iraqi market and Iranian goods; “during my various meetings with different groups of people in Basra as well as with Iraqi traders and businessmen, their concern is always raised towards scarcity of Iranian products in Basra and southern Iraqi provinces.”
Meanwhile, Governor General of Khorasan Razavi Province Alireza Rashidian said momentous steps have been taken to boost bilateral ties between the Iranian and Iraqi provinces highlighting the capacities of Khorasan Razavi for launching cooperation with Basra including possession of more than six thousand industrial and mineral units, more than 330 thousand students at different levels, health centers, hospitals and medical universities, more than a million hectares of land, more than 27 million pilgrims per year as well as exposure to North-South and East-West transit routes.
“Last year, the Iranian president urged Ministry of Roads and Urban Development to connect Khorasan-Terhan-Abadan-Khoramshahr railway to Basra which marks a good ground to form an export line and an economic communication path between Mashhad and Basra,” he continued.
Rashidian outlined Basra province as the birthplace of commerce, industry and agriculture and a rich source of Islam; “during the negotiations with governor of the Iraqi province, we voiced readiness for scientific interaction and the exchange of professors and academic experience.”
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