According to Shada, the meeting also resulted in a decision to actively follow up on issues such as the pursuit of claims and the issuance and acceptance of bank guarantees for Iranian economic operators by the Iraqi side.
Rahmatollah Akrami, in his remarks during the meeting, expressed his pleasure in hosting the Iraqi delegation led by Hazem Majid Naji Al-Khalidi, advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister. He also conveyed gratitude for the sympathy shown by the Iraqi government and people towards the victims of the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, stating that this gesture reflects the enduring solidarity and mutual support between the nations of Iran and Iraq.
Akrami noted that the seventh exhibition of export capabilities, Iran Expo 2025, will take place at the end of this week. He highlighted that the simultaneous visit of the Iraqi delegation presents a valuable opportunity for Iraqi investors and economic operators to explore Iran’s economic and technical engineering opportunities.
Referring to the sixth joint economic commission between Iran and Iraq, held in May of last year and hosted by Iran, he stated that Iranian executive agencies and economic operators are actively pursuing the implementation of the approvals. He emphasized the necessity for the relevant agencies in Iraq to also follow up on this matter.
The Iranian Acting Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance expressed satisfaction with the progress of the joint Basra-Shalamcheh railway project, stating that its final completion could significantly enhance the capacity of Iranian companies to collaborate with their Iraqi counterparts in exporting technical and engineering services.
To facilitate the development of technical and engineering services by Iranian companies in Iraq, Akrami urged the neighboring country to implement a mechanism for settling claims of Iranian companies and contractors, as well as issuing bank guarantees for them.
He further expressed appreciation for Al-Khalidi’s commitment to resolving administrative and bureaucratic challenges on the Iraqi side to facilitate joint cooperation in recent months. He viewed certain personnel changes and developments within Iraq’s economic team as indicative of the government's dedication to expanding trade cooperation between the two nations.
The report states that Hazem Majid Naji Al-Khalidi, who traveled to Tehran leading an economic delegation, expressed condolences on behalf of the Iraqi government and people for the tragic loss of life in the Shahid Rajaee Port incident. He emphasized that the historical, cultural, ideological, and religious commonalities shared by the people of both nations serve as a deeper, unifying force beyond political and economic interests in strengthening their bond.
Referring to pending and ongoing joint projects, particularly the construction and completion of the Basra-Shalamcheh railway, as well as the establishment of joint economic zones and border markets, Al-Khalidi emphasized that the Iraqi Prime Minister has tasked him with ensuring these matters are diligently followed up until they are definitively achieved.
Al-Khalidi announced that trade exchanges between Iran and Iraq account for approximately $11 billion of Iraq's total $70 billion in global trade. He noted that this figure could potentially increase to $25 billion with the finalization of agreements between the two countries, particularly concerning the establishment of border markets and joint economic zones and towns.