Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Dr. Tariq Al-Hammouri said that Jordan and Iraq have taken the necessary decisions to activate the establishment of the joint industrial zone between the two countries.

And Al-Hammouri, during a press conference held yesterday morning in Baghdad, that the industrial zone to be established on the borders of the two countries is a file agreed upon between the two sides, stressing the existence of a real desire of the two countries to implement on the ground.

Prime Minister Dr. Omar al-Razzaz and his Iraqi counterpart Adel Abdul-Mahdi stressed during the talks held in Baghdad last month the intention of the two sides to establish a joint industrial zone with an area of 24 km to serve industries in both countries.

"There is a great desire to strengthen cooperation with Iraq, and we look forward to increasing economic cooperation during the coming period to achieve the common interest of the two countries," Hamouri said, stressing that the Iraqi economy is the focus of the attention of the government as is the national economy.

On the other hand, Iraqi Minister of Trade, Industry and Minerals Mohammed al-Ani and Saleh al-Jubouri said, "The mutual visits between the two parties come to overcome the obstacles and challenges between the two countries facing the business and industrial."

They stressed the keenness of their countries to promote and develop relations with Jordan and that the meetings between the two countries contribute to the emergence of clear practical mechanisms to stimulate and strengthen economic relations and establish joint projects.

An economic delegation in Baghdad recently started discussing ways to enhance trade cooperation and develop partnerships with their Iraqi counterparts, in addition to official talks with officials in the Iraqi government to confirm the continuation of the implementation of projects and agreements signed between the two countries.

The delegation includes some 70 businessmen, representatives of government institutions and a number of ministers. And the visit of the Iraqi delegation through the establishment of a Jordanian-Iraqi forum and the holding of bilateral meetings between the business community in both countries.

It is noteworthy that the implementation of the decision to exempt Jordanian products from Iraqi fees, the project of extending the oil pipeline, the industrial zone, transport, electricity and agriculture, communications and information technology is one of the most important files agreed between the two countries on the sidelines of Prime Minister Omar al-Razaz's recent visit to Baghdad. They also agreed on a detailed timetable for economic steps, which will contribute to increasing the volume of trade exchange between the two countries.

The latest data released by the Department of Statistics show that the value of national exports to Iraq during the first ten months of last year increased 40% to reach 380 million dinars compared to 273 million dinars during the same period last year. Jordan's exports to Iraq peaked in 2013 to reach 882 million dinars, while in 2017 fell to 367 million dinars.

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