Turkish exporters welcome deals signed with Iraq, citing new opportunities

BASRA, Iraq — Turkish industrialists and exporters have welcomed a series of agreements signed with Iraq following the July 28 meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani. Mehmet Açan, coordinator chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Associations, said in a written statement that the deals would affect agriculture, customs, investment and energy in addition to transport and logistics. Açan said the agreements would strengthen commercial and diplomatic ties between the two countries and open new opportunities for exporters and industrialists in southeastern Turkey. He identified the Development Road Project as one of the most important items in the package, describing it as an alternative global trade corridor extending from the Grand Faw Port in the Persian Gulf to the Turkish border and onward to Europe. He added that southeastern Turkey's position along the route would increase the region's logistical importance and shorten travel times to Middle Eastern and Gulf markets. The coordinator chairman said Iraq remained one of the most important export markets for Turkish companies and that the agreements would support the textile, food, carpet, chemicals, cement and iron and steel sectors.