Close Qatar-Iraq Ties Lead To Promising Trade Opportunities

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) His Highness the Amir sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's official visit to Iraq falls within the framework of the strong and historical relations between the two countries.
The visit of His Highness the Amir to Iraqi capital Baghdad comes at the invitation of Iraq Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, during which they will discuss the strengthening of relations between the two countries, in addition to discussing regional and international issues of common interest.
His Highness the Amir's visit is of particular importance, as it coincides with several important developments that concern the region and the world, which require co-ordination and consultation at the highest levels.
The visit is expected to contribute to enhancing the level of co-ordination between the two countries on various issues through bilateral consultation and in Arab and international forums.
The visit is also expected to contribute to opening horizons for economic, commercial, and investment co-operation between the two countries.
Relations between Doha and Baghdad are witnessing continuous high-level contact between the leaderships of the two countries, and at various ministerial levels.
Bilateral relations between the two countries are regulated by a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding in various areas.
His Highness the Amir's visit to Baghdad is his second; in August 2021 he took part in the Baghdad Conference for Co-operation and Partnership.
During the opening session of that conference, His Highness the Amir gave a speech valuing the efforts made to establish security and stability in Iraq, to continuous build Iraq's institutions, enshrine Iraq's independence, and consolidate its sovereignty.
In his speech, His Highness the Amir expressed Qatar's belief that Iraq is entitled to play an active role in establishing peace and security in the region.
He also said that Qatar is keen to support Iraq in restoring its role and the place it deserves at regional and international levels, as Qatar believes that Iraq's stability and security represent the stability and security of the remaining countries of the region.
His Highness the Amir also emphasised that Qatar will continue to support the people of Iraq to help them realise their aspirations for peace, safety, and development.
He called on the international community to provide the necessary support to Iraq so that it can complete the reconstruction of civilian and military institutions to achieve security, stability, and development.
His Highness the Amir reiterated that Qatar would spare no effort to stand by Iraq's side, providing the needed support to the Iraqi people.
In September 2021, Qatar participated in the ministerial meeting to follow up the Baghdad Conference for Co-operation and Partnership, organised in partnership between Iraq and France and on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76), where HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi represented Qatar.
In his speech during the meeting, HE al-Muraikhi reiterated Qatar's stance on the need to uphold Iraq's national unity and sovereignty.
He stressed Qatar's renewed commitment to support everything in the interest of that fraternal country and its people.
In December last year Qatar participated in the Baghdad Conference for Co-operation and Partnership, which was held in Jordan.
Qatar's delegation to the conference was led by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.
The conference discussed ways to support Iraq, its sovereignty, security and stability, as well as developing regional mechanisms to enhance security and stability.
It also dealt with challenges related to food, drug, and energy security in the region and the world.
During his visit to Baghdad in March 2021, HE Sheikh Mohamed confirmed that Qatar seeks to invest in projects in Iraq that provide job opportunities.
He said in a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Mohamed Hussein, that he had discussed with senior officials how to develop and strengthen economic relations between the two countries.
HE Sheikh Mohamed expressed his aspiration to expand investment and economic co-operation with Iraq, indicating that there is an opportunity to support the stability of Iraq by presenting projects and creating job opportunities, and that these projects are of benefit to the two countries and people.
Qatar also participated in the Kuwait International Conference for Reconstruction of Iraq in February 2018, during which it announced the provision of a package of loans and investments in infrastructure and reconstruction projects in Iraq, valued at $1bn.
Qatar has also provided, at the governmental and non-governmental level, humanitarian aid and support to Iraq.
On June 8 this year, HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs engineer Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi participated in the special celebration marking the start of the implementation of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries electrical interconnection project with the Iraqi electricity network, which was held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
This project, funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development, is to be completed in late 2024.
It is the first of its kind to be implemented outside the electric system of the GCC countries, as it will work to meet part of the demand for electric power in southern Iraq.
In a statement on this occasion, HE al-Kaabi said that "Qatar realises the importance of extending bridges of co*operation and common action at the Arab level”.
“Guided by the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, we spare no effort in supporting major strategic initiatives of this nature, which are pivotal in bolstering the region's energy security and have a positive impact on its stability and sustainable development across all societal spheres,” he added.

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