
Ministry of Commerce Reveals Comprehensive Plan to Increase Economic Cooperation with Turkey
The Ministry of Commerce confirmed on Monday the existence of an Iraqi-Turkish desire to increase the volume of trade and economic exchange between the two countries, noting the existence of a integrated plan to develop this cooperation.
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, Mohammed Hanoun, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): that "There is an Iraqi-Turkish desire to increase the volume of trade and economic exchange, which has exceeded $14 billion, according to statistics from the Turkish Ministry of Commerce and the International Trade Center."
He explained that "the volume of exchange is witnessing steady growth thanks to Turkey's global economic standing."
He added that "the Ministry of Commerce, as the head of the Iraqi-Turkish Joint Committee, has worked in coordination with all government sectors and ministries to prepare a comprehensive file that includes mechanisms and the implementation of new procedures that contribute to the development and advancement of relations between the two countries."
Hanoun pointed out that "there is a comprehensive plan aimed at strengthening relations to serve Iraq's interests first and foremost. It has been prepared with broad participation from various Iraqi sectors."
He expressed hope that the upcoming Iraqi-Turkish meeting in Ankara next May, and next meeting is expected in Baghdad, will constitute a new roadmap that will contribute to the development of bilateral relations and establish a solid foundation for advancing economic and trade cooperation in various fields.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraqi News
an hour ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq to set up AI data center to support Arab countries
Baghdad ( – Iraq is working to establish an artificial intelligence center in Baghdad as part of a project serving Arab countries. The Prime Minister's Advisor for Artificial Intelligence Affairs, Diaa Al-Jumaili, revealed on Tuesday that the technical and organizational steps have already started and that a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, will be held soon to finalize all of the discussions, as Iraq will be required to lay the groundwork for the center, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA). The step follows the approval of the Iraqi Prime Minister and Arab leaders during the Arab Summit held recently in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, according to Al-Jumaili. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) previously said that Iraq's digital transformation is critical to the country's digital business and artificial intelligence strategy. During his meeting last November with Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Al-Sudani stressed that the government has included digital transformation into its economic and administrative reforms, as well as electronic payments. Al-Sudani emphasized the government's potential to make a big change in this area, as well as its willingness to collaborate with the DCO on initiatives that benefit Iraq and the region in the context of digital transformation and artificial intelligence. In March, Ali Al-Alaq, governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), disclosed that the government is working on a comprehensive digital transformation strategy. In a statement to INA, Al-Alaq highlighted that the government is following a plan aimed at transitioning to digital governance. He stated that Iraqi ministries would take a leading role since steps have already been taken, initiatives have been implemented, and a data center has been constructed.


Memri
2 hours ago
- Memri
At Summit Of Organization Of Turkic States (OTS) In Budapest, Turkish President Erdoğan Urges Member-States: 'We Must Also Think Beyond Our Borders'; 'Stand Against Israel's Expansionism And Support T
Addressing an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and held in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, on May 20-21, 2025, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called upon member-states to think outside their borders on global issues such as Gaza, while the OTS leaders expressed support for "the de facto [Taliban] authorities" and called for an inclusive government in Kabul, which was promptly rejected by the Taliban spokesman as interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. Billed as "The Meeting Point Of East and West," the summit was attended by heads of OTS member-states: Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and the Secretary General of the Turkic World Organization, Kubanıçbek Omuraliyev.[1] According to the official website, the OTS includes Northern Cyprus, formally the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is recognized only by Turkey, as an observer state.[2] Turkmenistan and Hungary also have observer status in the OTS, which was founded by Turkey and others in 2009. The next summit of the OTS will be held in Azerbaijan. The leaders of OTS member-states at the Budapest summit, May 20-21, 2025. Addressing the summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged the member-states to "think beyond their borders," stating: "The tragedies that have taken place in the past in Cyprus, Karabakh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and today in Gaza remind us that we must also think beyond our borders."[3] He said: "We overcame challenges and prejudices. Looking back, we are now on an exemplary level. We have more to do, but I believe we will reach our goals with our brothers here."[4] Speaking about the dire situation in Gaza, Erdoğan also called for taking a stand against Israel. "As the Turkic world, our contributions to efforts for maintaining a cease-fire, uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, and the reconstruction of Gaza are crucial. We have to stand against Israel's expansionism and support the territorial integrity of Lebanon and Syria."[5] The Turkish leader stated: "Every occasion where we raise our voices will be addressed to a fairer order, a just share (of resources), and a law-based system that humanity needs. We need to stand for each other as the principle of our fraternity and make our solidarity more visible."[6] Speaking on the occasion, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban thanked Erdoğan for admitting Hungary as an observer member of OTS and said: "[We] did not expect the OTS to gain such significance when Hungary became an observer state seven years ago. Back then, the Turkic world was on the rise. But at the same time, the development of Europe, where Hungary is, the European Union, dramatically slowed down."[7] Péter Szijjártó, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade told a press conference held after the summit that Hungary has benefited from increasing cooperation with Turkic states through joint partnerships in sectors such as railways, pharmaceutical, air connectivity, and natural gas. "The region represented by the Organization of Turkic States has become the world's third-largest source of oil and natural gas; so Hungary's good cooperation with these countries is of enormous importance in terms of energy supply," he added.[8] Szijjártó also disclosed plans to build nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. "Hungary's energy supply would not be as secure as it is today without the Turkic states… This is not a political question but a physical one, given that the majority of natural gas is already transported via the Turkish Stream pipeline," he said and noted that Hungarian companies have acquired stakes in oil and natural gas fields in Azerbaijan and "decisions have been made to build nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, with Hungarian technology to be used in the process."[9] The meet was also notable for the fact that the OTS heads of state issued a joint statement on Afghanistan, which was adopted into the Budapest Declaration signed by the OTS leaders. According to the joint statement, the OTS leaders agreed to work "to assist the de facto [Taliban] authorities" and Afghan people and to encourage "establishment of a representative administration reflecting the diversity of the Afghan nation"; they called for "respecting human rights, including restoring and ensuring the fundamental rights of all citizens of Afghanistan without any distinction" and urged "taking stronger and more resolute measures in countering terrorism so that the territory of Afghanistan will not be used to threaten or attack any country by terrorist organizations." They also urged enhanced international cooperation through a "performance-based roadmap" for Afghanistan to be "at peace with its people, its neighbors."[10] The summit leaders also signed the Budapest Declaration. Despite the OTS leaders' support for the de facto Taliban rulers, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) was displeased and saw the statement as interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Afghan Taliban spokesman perhaps angered by call for a "representative administration" and need for protecting human rights, said that the Islamic Emirate will handle its international affairs.[11]


Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Baghdad salary delays stall Duhok Eid al-Adha shopping
Shafaq News/ Pre-Eid al-Adha shopping in Duhok has slowed sharply, as ongoing salary delays from Baghdad continue to squeeze household spending across the province. Retailers reported sluggish sales despite stocking up for the holiday. Diyar Dawski, who owns a men's clothing shop, told Shafaq News that daily purchases have dropped below 20 items—far from the usual holiday rush, noting, 'The salary delay is the main reason.' Many vendors are now facing mounting inventory and potential losses. Shoppers, too, are feeling the strain. Afan Jamil, shopping with her children, said she's had to rely on cheap street stalls. 'With no salary and rising prices, we can't afford proper Eid clothes.' Another resident, Yaqoub Jaafar, shared a similar frustration, stating, 'Markets used to be packed. Now they're nearly empty. I had to borrow money just for basics.' The crisis, rooted in ongoing disputes over oil exports and budget entitlements, deepened after the 2023 shutdown of the Kurdistan pipeline to Turkiye's Ceyhan port. Since then, Erbil has received only monthly advances, not its full budget allocation, fueling mistrust and complicating negotiations. Last week, the KRG Ministry of Finance urged Baghdad to resume payments for employees, pensioners, welfare recipients, and the families of martyrs, accusing federal authorities of using legal pretexts to delay disbursements. Baghdad, in turn, has accused the Region of exceeding its share and withholding required revenues. Iraqi MP Karwan Yaroes told our agency earlier that Baghdad may release an emergency advance within two days to cover May salaries.