Iraq and Morocco sign package of agreements

Iraq and Morocco signed on Tuesday a package of agreements covering cooperation in the economic, trade, cultural, media and scientific realms.

Iraqi news agency "INA" reports that the documents were signed by Moroccan minister of trade, industry, energy and mining minister, Mustapha Mansouri, and Iraqi trade minister, Mohamed Mehdi Saleh, at the conclusion of the 9th joint commission held in Baghdad.

The agency says the two countries also agreed to intensify cooperation in oil, transports and telecoms. INA further quotes the Iraqi official as saying that the agreements mark a new leap in consolidating bilateral relations and upgrading the level of trade. For the Moroccan official, the joint commission meeting has opened new perspectives in cooperation, that will have a positive impact on the future of bilateral relations.

The volume of exchanges between the two countries is presently estimated at $ 267 million.

Baghdad is also hosting an exhibition of made-in-Morocco food, pharmaceutical, electronic and mechanic products with the participation of 120 Moroccan companies.

Measures needed for a free-trade area topped the agenda of the joint commission.

Meantime, The Casablanca chamber of commerce, industry and services and the Baghdad chamber of commerce signed a twinning and cooperation agreement.

The agreement, initialed on the margins of the 9th session of the Moroccan-Iraqi joint commission, means to consolidate economic relations between the two chambers, through the exchange of delegations, trade missions and economic data.

The Casablanca chamber signed with the Iraqi industries Union another accord meant to upgrade economic ties, create joint ventures and exchange delegations.