Iraq's PM al-Zaydi announces new partnership phase with US during Washington visit

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi said in Washington that Iraq is adopting an "open-door" policy toward investors, announcing a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding with American companies covering energy, oil, economy, investment, education, health, industry and defense. Al-Zaydi described the signed documents as the product of mutual trust between Baghdad and US firms, saying his government would provide the necessary facilities to carry out strategic projects. The prime minister called on US companies to visit Baghdad as soon as possible to define project roadmaps, stressing that all ministries and institutions will operate under the "open-door" principle to remove barriers to investment. Oil Minister Basim al-Abbadi reported separately that an agreement for an oil pipeline extending to Syria was signed, and that US renewable energy companies, together with the "Kar" group, have moved a strategic solar energy project in Iraq into the implementation phase, with a permanent office opened in Baghdad for project management. More than 18 agreements are expected to be signed during al-Zaydi's official visit to the United States. US President Donald Trump had previously announced that a large-scale oil partnership and broader commercial deals were close to being finalized.