According to the International Iranian Stone Exhibition, there have been many ups and downs in the study of the history between Iran and Iraq, two neighbors with wide borders and religious and cultural commonalities, but regional and trans-regional enemies have hindered goals that, if pursued with good relations, The two countries of Iran and Iraq create special privileges. Yahya Al-Ishaq, Chairman of the Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber, explained the economic and trade conditions of Iran and Iraq, in the current and future state of the Crown, and the interactions between the two countries.

Iran-Iraq relations have been at their best for several years in various fields. Why is this relationship important?

Iran-Iraq relations have been and remain a strategic and long-term relationship for a long time. The requirements of the two countries have strengthened the strategic relationship between Iran and Iraq, so in all areas, both ancient and recent, the two countries have moved to maintain stability in the social, political, economic, cultural and international relations to the national interest of each The two countries should be preserved, because preserving the interests of Iran and Iraq with wide borders as two neighbors with great cultural and religious commonalities is essential and requires more cooperation and interaction and close cooperation between the two sides, having a unanimous interaction on this issue. They protect the interests of both countries. At any time and at any point in history when the cooperation and directions of the two countries Iran and Iraq have been disrupted, both countries have lost, because part of the issues of the two countries are very close and related, so we and Iraq interact more. And we are evolving better, but throughout history, because of the emergence of governments that sometimes had good relations and sometimes cold relations with Iran, and sometimes hostile relations, such as the eight-year war imposed on us by the Ba'athists, the relationship between the two countries is challenging. However, now the people and the governments of the two countries know that the security of Iraq and our security are interconnected. In dealing with ISIS, Iraqis observed that if it were not for Iran's help and support, Iraqis would be unlikely to get rid of ISIS. On the other hand, if Iraq became insecure, at least our border cities would be at risk of insecurity, so the need for security in both Has led the country to have a positive interaction with each other.

In the Iraqi economic sphere, how much of the Iraqi market does Iran occupy?

The situation is the same in the economic field. After many wars and insecurities, Iraq is currently in a situation where it needs support and investment in terms of construction and infrastructure projects, in terms of livelihood and daily living needs, both in the short and long term, and economically. It is serious, while the realities of the two countries' situation are such that both countries need economic cooperation, so this need has led the officials and planners of the two countries to agree and sign a five-year horizon with a volume of $ 20 billion in transactions. Preparations are underway and $ 20 billion in full interactions are expected to be covered over the next five years.

What goods are mostly exported from Iran to Iraq?

Exports to Iraq are mainly general goods such as sanitary ware, raw materials, factory units, food, sanitary ware and general construction needs such as cement, steel, etc., which last year Iran exported about $ 12 billion to Iraq, of which 3 $ Billion was electricity, energy and technical services, and $ 9 billion was public goods.

To what extent has the situation in Corona affected the country's export and import trends?

This year, specific reasons for the crisis and the lack of full realization of Iraq's oil revenues reduced the volume of transactions and trade, but the trade trend for this year is projected at more than $ 9 billion in exports. In terms of tourism, about 3 million pilgrims go to Iraq every year, and 3.5 million people come to Iran from Iraq for pilgrimage and other tourism, such as tourism and health, but this year the number has dropped sharply to a minimum due to the outbreak of coronary heart disease. In the field of exports of goods in southern and northern Iraq, such as Shalamcheh, Erbil, Kurdistan and Sulaimaniyah, exports have not decreased but increased, but in the ratio of south to north there is a slight decrease. In general, the export of oil, energy and gas is going on in the same way as before. In relation to Iraq's need for development and infrastructure activities due to the economic situation in Iraq, whose revenues have decreased this year, Iraq's development projects have been somewhat reduced. Our revenue situation and trend of up to about $ 10 billion by the end of the year in Iraq is predictable and achievable.

Some experts claim that with the coming to power of Mr. Al-Kazemi and his different approach, we may face problems in the economic field. Is this analysis correct?

However, the approaches of the officials are different and each official follows his own approach, so with the emergence of a new official; Changing policies and orientations in Iraq can also be different, meaning that Iraqis seek greater engagement and balance in their relations with other countries at this regional level, especially Mr. Al-Kadhimi, who seeks to improve Iraq's relations with all neighboring countries. Bring a state of equilibrium and resolve national interests in its equilibrium issues, but we must keep in mind that the Iraqi authorities must pay attention to the important point of which country is a friend and which countries are their enemies. During the years when Iraq was at war, which country sincerely supported Iraq?

How serious is the risk to Iraqi markets by competitors from Iran?

 However, evidence shows that if Iraq is secure, the United States, Europe, and many countries in the region will seek long-term cooperation with Iraq. The most important thing is to recognize the threats and opportunities for both countries. Given each other's capabilities, we can work together to develop and solve regional problems with mutual assistance, so we must make good use of the opportunities for economic cooperation with Iraq if we seek short-term benefits in the Iraqi market and implement the same plans as in Central Asia. If we implement in Iraq, we will definitely get caught and Iran will be replaced by Iran's rivals. Iran's rivals are waiting for the general security situation in Iraq to improve in order to take the Iraqi markets away from us. Certainly, Iran's position in this situation will make things difficult for us. Iran's rivals in Iraq, China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries are also eyeing the Iraqi market, and some of these countries pursue political and security issues in addition to economic issues. Saudi Arabia is concerned about establishing a stable economic relationship between Iran and Iraq, because the increase in Iran-Iraq relations is to the detriment of Saudi Arabia, so they are all looking for a serious presence in Iraq and a serious obstacle to our presence in Iraq, for example in relation to The issue of electricity and energy Because Iraq needs electricity, the Saudis, with the help of the Americans, are trying to take over Iraq's power plants and energy issues in the long run so that interactive and energy communications are such that Iraq's dependence and cooperation with Iran is greatly reduced. Our other competitors are also waiting for the security situation in Iraq to enter Iraq after reaching a good stability, especially the European countries. Certainly, if these countries are present in the Iraqi market, the situation will be very difficult for Iran.

Which countries are currently Iran's rivals in Iraq?

China and Turkey currently have a good presence in Iraq. If we can not stay in this competition with proper management and quality improvement of Iranian products in Iraq, this market will be taken away from us quickly.

According to international banking sanctions, how are currency and financial exchanges carried out? Is the situation the same in Iraq as we have with the rest of the world?

 The issue of foreign exchange transfers from our exports and banking transactions with Iraq Due to the current sanctions restrictions, the Central Bank of Iraq has closed its hands to complete freedom of transfer, but at the same time we have the least risk in the Iraqi market, but in At the moment, we do not have much of a problem because the Central Bank of Iran is negotiating with the Central Bank of Iraq to find ways to make transfers less expensive. We hope that this issue will be resolved as well, but in general, the Iraqi market is a large and long-term market, provided that both sides understand these requirements, and the most appropriate thing to do is to remain a joint venture whose requirements must be met. It has been proposed to establish border towns of industrial estates in order to allow long-term trade and interaction between the two countries by establishing joint industries, investing in Iran or Iraq. However, we must accept that Iraqis are also pursuing their future and increasing economic self-sufficiency. Instead of being importers of goods, they want to produce goods domestically, so their general line is aimed at maintaining joint trade with Iran in the future, we must certainly know the exact time, place and security requirements and in relation to Cooperation between Iran and Iraq Let's pursue continuous cooperation.

* Tasnim