Uzbekistan, Iraq Discuss Expanding Trade and Economic Ties

Uzbekistan and Iraq are exploring ways to expand their trade and economic cooperation, with high-level meetings and a business forum in Baghdad highlighting opportunities for investment, joint ventures, and increased bilateral trade.

During a working visit to Iraq, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, Shokhrukh Gulamov, held a series of high-level meetings with key government officials and business leaders, and took part in the Uzbekistan-Iraq Business Forum in Baghdad, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Gulamov met with Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Jumaa Al-Bahadli, Deputy Minister of Trade for Economic Affairs Hassan Hamid, Deputy Chairman of the National Investment Commission Salar Muhammad Ameen, head of the Iraqi Industrialists Union Adel Akkab, and Chairman of the Iraqi Economic Council Ibrahim Al-Baghdadi to discuss expanding trade and economic cooperation.

Discussions focused on removing trade and regulatory barriers, optimizing tariffs on priority Uzbek goods, speeding up certification processes, and developing logistics using regional transport hubs. Special attention was given to increasing exports of construction materials, textiles, carpets, food products, and jewelry, as well as supporting Uzbek companies entering the Iraqi market.

Speaking at the business forum, organized with support from the Uzbek Embassy in Iraq and the Iraqi Economic Council, Gulamov emphasized trade as a priority for deepening economic partnership and highlighted the significant untapped potential of bilateral trade.

The forum also addressed industrial and mineral resource cooperation, including joint ventures, raw material processing, refined metal supply, engineering services, and equipment provision.

The event brought together over 150 representatives of Iraqi government and business, along with 25 leading Uzbek companies from food, textile, pharmaceutical, electrical, furniture, and construction materials sectors. Participants explored Uzbekistan’s investment environment and export potential, held B2B meetings, and attended an exhibition of Uzbek products.

Following the visit, Uzbekistan proposed holding the first session of the Uzbekistan-Iraq Joint Economic Committee and organizing the next business forum in Uzbekistan to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.