Iraqi delegation holds trade talks in Lebanon
Lebanon-Iraq, Economics, 10/6/1997

A delegation of Iraqi businessmen began talks in Beirut Monday on promoting trade cooperation between the two countries. The delegation, headed by Adnan al-Qudsi, chairman of Iraq's Union of Industrialists, arrived here on Sunday for a week-long visit to Lebanon.

It was the first visit to Lebanon by an Iraqi team since the United Nations imposed economic sanctions on Iraq in 1990 following its invasion of neighboring Kuwait. Lebanon severed its diplomatic ties with Iraq in 1994 after it accused Iraqi diplomats of assassinating an Iraqi opposition figure in Beirut.

The Iraqi delegation representing the wool, pelt, construction and metal industries met with Lebanese State Minister for Industry Nadeem Salem and Economy Minister Yasin Jaber.

The talks reportedly centered on ways of reviving industrial and trade exchange between the two countries.

"We are serious about opening the Iraqi market to Lebanese industries," Salem told reporters after the meeting with the delegation.

The visit followed talks held in Baghdad last April by Jacques Sarraf, chairman of the Lebanese Industrialists' Association. The talks focused on ways of promoting economic cooperation through the exchange of trade between the two countries.

The April talks resulted in the signing of an agreement on cooperation with the Iraqi Union of Industries aimed at strengthening industrial activities and exchanging professional expertise as well as marketing and statistical data.

The Iraqi team's visit to Lebanon was originally planned for August, but was postponed after Lebanon--under pressure from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia--refused to let Iraqi athletes participate in the July 12-27 pan-Arab Games in Beirut.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which contributed heavily to the cost of the games as well as to Lebanon's postwar reconstruction program, had threatened to walk out of the games if Iraqi players were admitted.

Previous Stories:
  A beaming Hariri gets budget approval   (10/4/1997)
  Iraq invites Lebanese minister to Baghdad exhibition   (9/10/1997)
  Iraqi delegation to Lebanon back on track   (8/11/1997)

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