Baghdad: Iraqi Minister of Trade, Atheer Dawood Al-Ghurairi, met on Sunday with the U.S. Charg© d’Affaires in Baghdad, Ambassador Steven Fagin, to discuss prospects for enhancing economic and trade cooperation between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during the meeting, Minister Al-Ghurairi emphasized the Iraqi government’s commitment to broadening economic partnerships with the international community, noting that the United States remains a strategic partner in Iraq’s ongoing efforts to improve the business environment and attract foreign investment.

He highlighted the ministry’s efforts, carried out in coordination with relevant authorities, to resume Iraq’s accession negotiations to the World Trade Organization (WTO) after a 16-year hiatus. The third round of talks included the submission of goods and services files and a presentation of key economic and legislative reforms, including the passage of the Intellectual Property Law and the launch of the “Electronic Trader” platform as part of the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Al-Ghurairi further explained that the Ministry of Trade is working to simplify procedures for the entry and operation of American companies in Iraq. He also pointed out that Iraq had achieved self-sufficiency in wheat production over the past two years and continues to implement memoranda of understanding with the U.S. side to meet the needs of several vital sectors.

The minister invited American companies to organize a ‘Made in USA’ exhibition in Iraq and proposed holding a joint forum between the Iraqi and American private sectors to showcase investment opportunities and available projects. He also stressed the importance of U.S. company participation in the Baghdad International Fair.

For his part, Ambassador Fagin expressed his country’s interest in expanding areas of bilateral cooperation, praising Iraq’s ongoing economic reforms and the Ministry of Trade’s role in supporting American businesses and fostering an investment-friendly environment.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral coordination and joint efforts to expand the volume of trade exchange in a manner that serves the shared interests of both friendly nations.