Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has affirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining ongoing communication with Turkish companies, highlighting the strong relationship between Iraq and Turkey.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Sudani’s media office released a statement indicating that the Prime Minister met with a group of businessmen and representatives from 17 Turkish companies operating across various sectors. The meeting was attended by key figures including the Chairman of the National Investment Commission, the Executive Director of the Iraq Development Fund, several advisors, and the Turkish Ambassador to Iraq.

The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the water sector as part of a framework agreement on the water file, which came into effect in September 2024. The agreement was signed by al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, underscoring the evolving bilateral relationship over the past two years. The Prime Minister noted that economic, investment, and business collaborations are crucial to strengthening commercial and economic ties.

Al-Sudani emphasized the government’s intention to support legislation that fosters an investment-friendly environment, acknowledging the stability that attracts foreign investments. He highlighted the significant presence of Turkish companies in Iraq, with trade between the two nations surpassing $20 billion. Furthermore, he discussed Iraq’s development road project and the opportunities it presents for enhancing regional partnerships.

The Turkish Ambassador expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s efforts to deepen bilateral relations, noting that the partnership extends beyond politics to include vital economic and investment collaboration to advance projects in Iraq.