Baku, Azerbaijan, July 23
By Emil Ilgar – Trend:
Iraq would remain Iran’s major non-oil export target in next 15 years, Chairman of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture Yahya Ale-Eshaq told IRNA July 23.
He added that Iran can boost foodstuffs, clothing, cement and other construction materials, industrial machines and cars export to Iraq. “Service exports are also very beneficial,” he added.
According to him, about 1.7 million Iraqis arrive in Iran as tourists, for medical purposes, etc. annually, while about 1.6 million Iranians go to Iraq. “Tourism sector is very important in boosting economic relations with Iraq,” Ale-Eshaq said.
He predicted that after defeating ISIL and establishing security, Iran would face serious rivals from EU to Turkey and China in Iraqi market.
During last fiscal year which ended March 20, Iraq shared 13.91 percent of Iran’s total non-oil exports (excluding service export), standing at $6.111 billion.
Iraq ranked third in Iran’s major non-oil exports during last fiscal year, following China and UAE. However, regarding this fact that Iran includes gas condensate, some oil and petrochemical products at non-oil export basket, Iraq is Iran’s major real non-oil export market.
During last year, Iran also exported more than $12 billion of services, especially industrial and technical services, mostly to Iraq.