Iraq signs an agreement and seven trade memoranda of understanding with Lebanon.
Iraq signs an agreement and seven trade memoranda of understanding with Lebanon.
2025-09-18 04:38
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Trade and the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade signed an agreement and seven memoranda of understanding today, Thursday, to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.
This came during the second session of the Iraqi-Lebanese Joint Committee held in the capital, Baghdad, headed by Minister of Trade Athir Dawood Al-Ghariri on the Iraqi side, and Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Al-Bassat on the Lebanese side, in the presence of heads and representatives of the Iraqi private sector and their counterparts from the Lebanese side.
The committee’s work witnessed the signing of an agreement and seven memoranda of understanding between the two sides, covering areas such as developing trade exchanges and export promotion, cooperation in organizing international and specialized exhibitions, land transport of passengers and goods, investment, and mutual recognition of maritime qualification certificates for seafarers working at sea. This will contribute to supporting economic integration, facilitating the flow of trade, and exchanging technical and scientific expertise.
In this regard, the Iraqi Minister of Trade, in a speech delivered on the sidelines of the session, affirmed Iraq’s keenness to enhance cooperation with Lebanon and expand the horizons of partnership in various economic, trade, and investment sectors, noting that this session represents an important shift in the path of bilateral relations.
He explained that the signing of the minutes and memoranda during the conference reflects the seriousness of both sides in moving directly to the implementation phase, stressing the Iraqi government’s full support for all initiatives that would strengthen the partnership with Lebanon and develop relations in a manner that serves common interests.
Al-Ghariri added that “seven memoranda of understanding were signed, in addition to a cooperation agreement between the Iraqi and Lebanese Ministries of Justice, to enhance legal and institutional cooperation between our two countries.” He added, “The government will be a true supporter of the private sector, and we are working to launch an investment forum soon that will open broader horizons for trade and investment cooperation.”
He pointed out that “these agreements represent a new beginning for the resumption of private sector activity and business owners, in line with the deep economic and trade relations between Iraq and Lebanon.”
He continued, “The memoranda of understanding cover various sectors, such as trade, investment, transportation, and exhibitions, and represent an important step to expand trade exchange and enhance joint economic activity.”
The second session of the Iraqi-Lebanese Joint Committee also witnessed the signing of a bilateral agreement between the two sides regarding the transfer and exchange of convicts in Baghdad.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Iraqi side by Minister of Justice Khaled Shawani, while the Lebanese side was represented by Amer Al-Bassat, Chairman of the Joint Committee and Minister of Economy.
In a speech on the sidelines of the signing, the Iraqi Minister of Justice emphasized that this agreement comes within the framework of the Iraqi government’s commitment to strengthening judicial and legal cooperation with sister and friendly countries, and providing legal mechanisms that ensure respect for human rights and facilitate the implementation of penalties in accordance with national laws and international standards.
For its part, the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, in a statement issued regarding the signing of the agreement, considered this step a significant step in strengthening Iraqi-Lebanese relations and implementing the principle of reciprocity. It contributes to addressing the conditions of convicts who are citizens of both countries and allows them to serve their sentences in their home countries, achieving humanitarian and social dimensions in addition to its legal dimension.
The signing of the agreement also aligns with the government’s direction to open broader horizons for international cooperation, and complements Iraq’s efforts to conclude similar agreements with a number of countries, enhancing judicial cooperation and reflecting Iraq’s regional and international standing, according to the statement.
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