Mohammad Mahdi Ra’is-zadeh also said that an economic-industrial delegation from Basra, which included several experts in petrochemical, steel manufacturing, and paper making industries as well as some members of the Iraqi Governing Council, has already met with relevant Iranian officials to discuss mutual issues.
The Iraqi delegation has laid stress on the connecting Khuzestan railway with Basra city, also on constructing a new bridge on Shat al-Arab, Ra’is-zadeh stated.
“They are also looking forward to benefiting from Iran’s energy supplies as well.”
Agreements have been made upon which Iran can export goods to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia via Basra, he added. New foreign investment regulations, already ratified by the Iraqi Governing Council permits foreigners for a hundred percent of investments in Basra industry except for land trade, said the Iranian official.
The Iraqi delegation offered 127 construction projects and investment plans to the Iranian side, Ra’is-zadeh stated, adding, “Details will soon be announced so as to inform possible contractors,” he stated.
Iran may help the Iraqi side in small and medium enterprises including construction materials industry, he added. There are also grounds for developing bilateral ties in exchanging technical, engineering services, he said.
The elections for joint Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce has not been yet declared nullified, Ra’is-zadeh stressed, saying, “Common grounds would be established as soon as the chamber is legally approved,” he concluded.
ER/IS
END
MNA