BAGHDAD: Economy Minister Zeybekci (C) participated in the Turkey-Iraq Business Council’s re-establishment ceremony with DEİK Chairman Vardan (center R) and Chairman of Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce Al-Hamadani (center L).
With the Turkey-Iraq Business Council assembled once again, Zeybekci stressed the importance of developing economic cooperation and trade with Iraq. Zeybekci called out to firms in both countries to work together.
During the Turkey-Iraq Business Council’s re-establishment ceremony, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said the revitalization of the council is of the utmost importance for both countries. Underlining that Turkey and Iraq are not just allies but sibling countries, Zeybekci said “unlike friends and allies, siblings can’t be chosen, they’re given.” Thus, both countries would benefit “tremendously” if they would act as siblings that get along and “share their heritage.”
Zeybekci mentioned the interdependent nature of the Turkish and Iraqi economies, suggesting these are complementary economies. Whatever Iraq lacks, Turkey has, Zeybekci said, adding that many resources Turkey does not have are available in Iraq. “Looking at the future, we [the Economy Ministry] strongly believe that bilateral relations where the mutual benefit is at a maximum last a long time,” Zeybekci said.
Reiterating their good wishes and hope for Iraq’s political future, Zeybekci stressed that Turkey intends to develop relations with the Iraqi government as much as possible. “We regard Iraq’s political stability as Turkey’s as well, just as we regard their unity as ours,” the economy minister remarked. “The same goes for welfare and economic growth.”
Zeybekci said they have plans for a visit to Iraq and a desire to have a similar event take place in Turkey as well. He added that the potential of Turkish-Iraqi trade does not translate into trade volume at the moment, and called on the Turkish and Iraqi firms to come together and cooperate more. The minister also expressed that the ministry wants Turkey and Iraq to become prioritized trade partners in the following years.
Zeybekci underscored that Turkish and Iraqi companies should develop stronger partnerships. Stressing that the Turkey-Iraq Business Council has a prominent role to play in this regard, Zeybekci said the map of the today’s world is “being re-drawn, and the pencil that draws this map is the economy.” “Hence, if the relationship between the business worlds of two countries is strong, the political and other relationships become strong as well, Zeybekci said. “The primary affair between countries is their economic relationship. That Turkey and Iraq has the advantage of geography as well as the brotherhood of religion and history, generating negativity between our two countries is harder than making the Euphrates run backwards.”
