Iraqi Chamber of Commerce Emphasizes Expanding Economic Ties with Iran's Qazvin Province

In a joint meeting between the Chambers of Commerce from Qazvin and Ilam and several Iraqi provinces, Iraqi representatives underscored their commitment to enhancing economic cooperation with Iran—particularly with Qazvin Province.

The meeting brought together officials from Qazvin and Ilam chambers along with delegates from the Chambers of Commerce of Karbala, Samawah, Diwaniyah, Babylon, Kut, and Diyala in Iraq. Provincial authorities and members of the Iranian parliament were also in attendance. The session focused on streamlining trade procedures, increasing commercial exchanges, and creating joint investment opportunities.

Alireza Pazouki, a board member of the Qazvin Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the trade volume between Iran and Iraq in 2023, noting it had reached US$11 billion. He stated that the two countries aim to increase this figure to US$20 billion, a goal that relies heavily on active participation from both sides’ business communities.

Pazouki also emphasized Qazvin’s significant industrial and agricultural potential. “Despite its limited geographic size, Qazvin is a major producer in the detergent, food, and industrial sectors and can play a vital role in meeting the needs of the Iraqi market,” he said. He invited Iraqi business delegates to visit the province’s factories and industrial sites.

Throughout the session, both sides stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation, enhancing private sector interactions, and expanding economic exchanges.

Mousavi, head of the Babylon Chamber of Commerce, expressed optimism about strengthening economic relations with Iran, especially Qazvin. “This province’s industrial and agricultural capabilities can effectively meet Babylon’s market demands. We hope these engagements will lead to actionable agreements,” he said.

Al-Aifi, head of the Diwaniyah Chamber of Commerce, stated that Diwaniyah has vast agricultural capacity and is seeking complementary technologies and products from Iran. “Our visit to Qazvin’s production facilities introduced us to new opportunities. Strengthening commercial ties is a priority for us,” he added.

Tamimi, head of the Diyala Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that Diyala is interested in joint ventures in the food and pharmaceutical industries. “Exploring Qazvin’s capabilities was extremely valuable. These visits are a prelude to future joint investments,” he said.

Sajed, head of the Kut Chamber of Commerce, welcomed cooperation with Iranian traders, especially in packaging, detergents, and food products. “Qazvin has shown it can be a reliable partner in supplying the Iraqi market. This relationship should continue,” he noted.

The head of the Karbala Chamber of Commerce also spoke at the meeting, saying, “Karbala has always been a gateway for trade with Iran. Collaborating with provinces like Qazvin, which possess strong industrial and export capacities, can help spur regional economic growth. We are ready to establish sustainable trade routes.”

At the end of the official sessions, the Qazvin Chamber of Commerce honored the visiting Iraqi delegations with symbolic cultural gifts as a gesture of appreciation. Mousavi (Babylon), Al-Aifi (Diwaniyah), Tamimi (Diyala), Sajed (Kut), and the head of the Karbala Chamber were all formally recognized.

This friendly and cordial exchange demonstrated the shared commitment of both sides to expanding economic and commercial partnerships between the Iranian and Iraqi private sectors.

The program concluded with a series of expert panels focusing on agriculture, food industries, construction, and leather goods (especially bags and shoes). These sessions took the form of B2B meetings, enabling direct interaction among traders, producers, and economic actors, and laying the groundwork for future collaborations. - Iran News