Baghdad:Iraq’s Ambassador to Russia, Abdul Karim Hashim Mustafa, confirmed that Russian companies are highly willing to operate in Iraq across several sectors.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Mustafa emphasized the strong interest of Russian companies in entering the Iraqi market, particularly in localizing pharmaceutical industries. Efforts are underway to invite several such companies to operate in Iraq, especially to work on the Samarra Pharmaceutical Plant, which was initially established with Russian expertise.

He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in the paper production sector, given Russia’s significant production capabilities due to its vast forest areas. Additionally, Russia’s advancements in wheat production, fertilizers, and agricultural pesticides were mentioned as sectors for potential collaboration.

Mustafa reiterated the readiness of Russian companies to engage in Iraq but acknowledged the need to address sanctions and find appropriate means to manage this complex issue.

In education, Mustafa noted that many Iraqi students are studying at Russian universities, with a continued influx of students. The Russian government annually provides dozens of scholarships to Iraqi students for postgraduate studies.