Iraq Offers a Large Market for Syrian Exports, Trade Revival Planned

Iraq is being viewed as one of Syria’s most important neighboring markets, with the two countries sharing a 605-kilometer land border and Iraq’s economy estimated at about 250 billion dollars. The commercial potential is drawing attention as Syria looks to rebuild trade ties and expand access to regional buyers. Syria plans to export food, agricultural products, medicines, textiles and household appliances to Iraq. The trade relationship between the two countries, which reached 2.2 billion dollars in 2010, has fallen in recent years to 62 million dollars. Both sides are aiming to raise trade volumes again over the next two years. The effort is expected to be supported by planned industrial fairs in Baghdad, Mosul and Erbil.