Iran, Iraq labor ministers discuss cooperation, joint investment
Iran’s Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare Solat Mortazavi, in a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Ahmed al-Asadi, expressed the country’s willingness to engage in joint investment development with
Iraq.
Mortazavi emphasized Iran’s readiness to collaborate in areas of labor, social welfare, and the exchange of technical and vocational training experiences, according to mcls.gov.ir.
Referring to the religious and cultural commonalities between the two countries, Mortazavi expressed hope for a successful Arbaeen rally this year, emphasizing its significance in showcasing unity among the Islamic Ummah.
Describing Iraq as a friendly and brotherly nation, the Iranian minister conveyed his ministry’s keen interest in expanding economic cooperation with Iraq.
For his part, Al-Asadi acknowledged Iran’s progress in various industrial sectors and expressed hope for sharing its successful experiences with the Arab country.
He also announced the launch of cooperation between the social security funds of Iran and Iraq, aiming to increase joint investments.
The initial steps for this collaboration will be taken in the near future.
Meanwhile on Friday, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones unveiled plans to inaugurate a joint free trade zone with Iraq at the common border by March 2024.
Hojjatollah Abdolmaleki said that the prime minister of Iraq has proposed a region in the Arab country’s Wasit governorate for the joint free trade zone, which is located in the vicinity of Mehran border crossing in Iran’s western Ilam province.
The feasibility studies for the launch of the joint free trade zone are underway, he added.
Abdolmaleki noted that Iraq can export its products to the other parts of the world through Iran and have access to the Indian Ocean and international waters via Iran’s free and special economic zones.
Steps have been taken to bolster economic ties between Iran and Iraq, he concluded.