Iraq contracts with five American companies for 8 billion dollars
Iraq contracts with five American companies for 8 billion dollars
20/8/2020 9:57
{International: Ayna News} Five American companies, including Chevron, signed agreements on Wednesday with the Iraqi government aimed at strengthening Iraq’s energy independence from Iran, as Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi prepares to make his first visit to the White House Thursday evening.
The US Energy Department said in a statement that Honeywell International, Baker Hughes, General Electric, Steller Energy and Chevron have signed trade agreements worth up to eight billion dollars with the Iraqi ministers of oil and electricity.
The Iraqi economy was affected due to the general closure measures to limit the spread of the new Corona virus and due to the decline in oil prices, and protests that erupted last year led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.
“These agreements are important for the future of energy in Iraq, and I am confident that the same companies that enabled the United States to achieve energy independence will use their vast experience to help Iraq realize its full potential in the energy sector,” US Energy Secretary Dan Brouillett said in a statement.
The agreements were signed after the Iraqi ministers of oil and electricity met with Brouillette, and after a round-table meeting in Washington on Wednesday with the Prime Minister of Iraq and the US energy industry.
In a separate interview with reporters before the Energy Department statement, a senior US administration official said that the officials would also discuss national security issues in addition to economic cooperation.
alliraqnews.com
