Turkey’s Minister of Trade, Prof. Dr. Omer Bolat, affirmed that Turkey will play a central role in Iraq’s reconstruction. He cited the extensive experience of Turkish contractors who have completed projects worth $36.6 billion in Iraq.
Furthermore, speaking in Baghdad at the Iraq General Trade and Contracting Delegation Meeting, organized by Iraq’s Ministry of Trade with the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and the Turkish Contractors Association (TMB).
Additionally, Bolat highlighted Turkey’s readiness to contribute to infrastructure and development initiatives. He emphasized active participation in projects like the Development Road Project, which aims to link Iraq to Europe through Turkey.
Moreover, Bolat noted that bilateral trade between Turkey and Iraq reached $17.5 billion in 2024. Turkey is Iraq’s leading supplier and its third-largest contractor partner. Turkish companies have undertaken 1,145 projects valued at $36.6 billion, demonstrating their significant role in Iraq’s development.
Therefore, during the second-term meeting of the Turkey-Iraq Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), Bolat and Iraqi Trade Minister Etir Dawood Salman Al-Ghreyri signed the Second-Term Protocol and a Memorandum of Understanding on trade fair and exhibition cooperation.
Additionally, these agreements aim to facilitate trade, improve the investment climate, and support joint logistics and infrastructure projects. They are expected to strengthen business interactions through exhibitions and events. Bolat emphasized that the agreements reflect both countries’ determination to reach $30 billion in bilateral trade.
As part of the visit, Bolat and Al-Ghreyri inaugurated the Baghdad Turkish Export Products Fair. The event featured 27 Turkish companies in sectors such as construction, food, textiles, and defense. The fair showcased Turkey’s high-tech production capacity and highlighted the private sector’s confidence in Iraq’s economy.
Bolat noted that the fair advances the medium-term goal of $30 billion in trade and strengthens regional cooperation. He concluded that Turkey’s production and export capabilities will continue to serve as a pillar of prosperity and stability in the region.