Baghdad: Economic experts from Turkey and Iraq have confirmed that both countries are striving to accelerate economic cooperation through a series of political and administrative measures taken by their top leaderships. These measures aim to elevate this cooperation to meet their aspirations for expediting development projects, particularly given the exceptional capabilities of Turkish companies in this field.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, an economic report published today by the Turkish state broadcaster TRT, citing economic experts from both countries, stated that the Iraqi government is currently working to expand the presence of Turkish companies in the Iraqi market through a series of political and administrative initiatives. These initiatives aim to create a more attractive environment for investors and strengthen cooperation in vital sectors, at a time when relations between Baghdad and Ankara are witnessing increasing economic momentum.
The report indicated that these initiatives followed a telephone call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on June 22nd, during which the importance of developing economic cooperation between the two countries was emphasized.
This phone call was followed by a series of meetings with Turkish business leaders and Iraqi measures to support investment, indicating a shared desire to expand economic partnership. The first practical signs of this trend emerged through Iraqi government initiatives aimed at facilitating the entry of Turkish investors and broadening the scope of economic cooperation.
According to official statements from both the Turkish and Iraqi sides, Erdogan and al-Zidi discussed, by phone, the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline, water, gas, agriculture, and the Development Road project. Erdogan also invited Turkish companies to invest in Iraq and capitalize on the opportunities available in various sectors.
The Turkish President stated that Ankara is eager to elevate Turkish-Iraqi relations, noting the vast potential for cooperation in the energy, defense, and transportation sectors. He reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi to visit Ankara for consultations on bilateral issues.
Iraqi economic experts believe that the acceleration of these moves reflects the Iraqi government's desire to strengthen economic relations with Turkey, particularly through strategic projects such as the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline and the Development Road. They also believe the government's efforts to facilitate entry procedures for Turkish investors demonstrate its understanding of the importance of expediting processes to attract investment. These experts consider these facilitations to enhance competitiveness and provide the private sector with greater opportunities for growth in the coming period.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, during his meeting with the Turkish ambassador and representatives of Turkish companies and businesspeople within the framework of the Iraqi-Turkish Business Council on the first of this month, affirmed the existence of broad investment opportunities for Turkish companies.
Al-Zaidi also directed the facilitation of visa procedures for Turkish businesspeople to Iraq, pointing to the numerous investment opportunities available to Turkish companies, including the Development Road project, the operation of hospitals and airports, and other investment projects, in addition to energy and water management projects.
For his part, the Turkish ambassador affirmed his country's interest in developing bilateral relations, while Turkish businesspeople expressed their readiness to launch investment projects in Iraq.
Iraqi economic experts believe that recent developments reflect an upward trajectory in Iraqi-Turkish relations. They emphasize that Baghdad seeks to bolster political and economic stability at a time when Turkey has become a regional and international player with growing political and economic capabilities. Developing a partnership with Turkey can support Iraq's move towards a more stable environment, especially given Turkey's increasing role in energy and economic affairs across the region.
The Turkish network, in its report, indicated that Iraqi ministries, coinciding with these measures, have intensified their meetings with representatives of Turkish companies to explore investment opportunities in several strategic sectors, signaling Baghdad's desire to expand its economic partnership with Ankara.
The report stated that on July 2nd, Minister of Industry and Minerals Mohammed Nouri received representatives of Turkish companies and businesspeople, in the presence of the Turkish ambassador. The two sides discussed mechanisms for expanding industrial and economic cooperation. The minister reviewed the investment opportunities available to Turkish companies in the industrial sector, while the Turkish ambassador affirmed his country's desire to strengthen industrial cooperation with Iraq, noting the readiness of Turkish companies to contribute to the implementation of investment projects within the country.
Minister of Water Resources Muthanna al-Tamimi also discussed with the Turkish ambassador and a delegation of businessmen opportunities for cooperation in implementing water projects and benefiting from Turkish expertise and technologies, emphasizing the importance of expanding cooperation with Turkish companies to enhance water security in Iraq.
Minister of Finance Falih al-Sari also discussed with representatives of the Iraqi-Turkish Business Council mechanisms to facilitate the entry of Turkish companies into the Iraqi market and develop financial and banking cooperation, affirming the government's commitment to providing a safe and attractive investment environment, particularly in the energy, construction, and health sectors.
These moves reflect an Iraqi trend toward expanding cooperation with Turkey through investment and production, not just trade exchange. Government facilitations align with Turkish interest in expanding the presence of its companies in the Iraqi market, especially in the industry, energy, infrastructure, and water sectors.
These trends reinforce the existing presence of Turkish companies in Iraq. On October 31, 2025, Turkish Trade Minister mer Polat stated that Turkish companies had completed 1,145 projects in Iraq worth $36.6 billion, making Iraq the third largest market for Turkish contractors globally. He emphasized Ankara's readiness to support reconstruction projects, particularly the Development Road project.
Turkish economic experts indicate that energy projects could be the primary driver of the Iraqi-Turkish partnership in the coming phase, believing that energy security and regional stability, especially in Iraq and Syria, will play a pivotal role in expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
Turkish experts believe that Turkey's growing capabilities in the energy sector strengthen its position as an economic partner for Iraq, and that this shift opens the door to broader cooperation in energy projects and supply security.
Regarding Turkish companies, Turkish experts anticipate that their activity will focus on infrastructure, logistics, and reconstruction projects. These steps complement strategic projects, foremost among them the Development Road, alongside cooperation in the oil, transportation, and gas sectors. Both countries view these sectors as cornerstones of a long-term economic partnership that can strengthen economic ties between Iraq, Turkey, and the region.
This reflects the diversity of sectors Baghdad seeks to attract Turkish companies to, extending beyond traditional trade cooperation to include investment in infrastructure, services, and energy. The Iraqi and Turkish sides could establish a new phase of investment cooperation, centered on major projects such as the Faw Port and the Development Road, in addition to cooperation in trade and transportation.
The success of these initiatives hinges on the ability of both parties to translate political understandings and government measures into tangible investment projects, thereby solidifying the presence of Turkish companies in Iraq and ushering in a new era in the economic relations between the two countries.