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Iran Wishes to Increase Trade with Iraq to $20 Billion
In a meeting with Barham Salih, the Iraqi president, president Rouhani expressed his hope to increase trade between the two countries from $12 billion to $20 billion.
Barham Salih arrived in Tehran on Saturday and according to IRNA, “relations between the two countries and important issues of the region are the main topics of discussion between the new president of Iraq and the Islamic Republic officials.”
In their joint press conference, Rouhani said that they have agreed on a free trade zone between the two countries.
The trip happens a week after Iraq was able to receive a waiver from the United States which allows it to continue trading with Iran. According to Reuters, Iraq has asked the United States to allow it to continue trading food and humanitarian goods in exchange for natural gas.
This is the fourth foreign visit of Barham Salih as president and his first visit to Iran. He has visited Kuwait, UAE, and Jordan before Iran.
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