Iran’s vision for Iraqi market on track despite US sanctions

Iran is pushing forth with a 2025 vision plan to raise its exports to Iraq to $20 billion a year despite US pressures on Baghdad to keep Tehran at its arm’s length.

Iran’s business adviser at the country’s embassy in Baghdad was quoted as saying Tuesday that the Islamic Republic was already ahead of its plan, with non-oil exports currently standing at $4.5 billion.

“Based on the average growth rate of 8.5% of non-oil exports and the realization of about $ 4.5 billion worth of these exports, we can say that we are 28% ahead of our export targets to Iraq,” Nasser Behzad said.

Iran is currently Iraq's top trade partner, with annual turnover of about $12 billion, according to Iraqi officials. By comparison, annual trade between Saudi Arabia and Iraq stands below $6 billion.

Foodstuff, livestock, construction material and plastic products constitute the bulk of Iran’s exports to Iraq. Iranian vehicles and food items are a ubiquitous sight in Iraq.

Behzad said as many as 26 programs have been drafted and approved for expansion of trade ties between Iran and Iraq, which will be pursued “with seriousness” once the political situation stabilizes in the Arab country.   

“Boosting non-oil and energy exports, exchanging trade delegations, holding exhibitions, promoting Iranian goods, maintaining constant diplomatic and specialized consultations and helping companies increase their marketing knowledge are some of the plans,” he said.

The extent of Iraq’s trade ties with Iran, however makes the country prone to US sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

In August, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Iraq would be sending a delegation to the United States to seek waivers for financial transactions with Iran.

Abadi called the sanctions “unilateral” and “oppressive”, adding that Iraq would not be “part of a blockade” due to its own painful experience with international sanctions during the era of Saddam Hussein.

“We have presented a clear vision of what Iraq really needs. This includes Iranian natural gas, which is very important, as well as other trade and the electricity sector,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

The two neighbors are currently working on the supply of Iranian gas to Sadr, Baghdad and al-Mansuriya power plants through a 270-kilometer pipeline and to Basra near the Iranian border via a separate pipeline.

PressTV-Iran resumes electricity exports to Iraq, other countries

Iran has resumed electricity exports to Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan and plans to increase supplies amid a decline in energy demand in the wake of falling temperatures.

Iraq is also the biggest importer of electricity from Iran. The country was hit by a series of protests amid electricity shortages this summer.

Iran cut off electricity supplies to Iraq in July as rolling blackouts and water shortages in the southern Khuzestan province in the face of sizzling temperatures touched off a series of protests.

Iran’s trade with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) is also booming after Baghdad lifted an embargo imposed in the aftermath of a secession referendum held in the semi-autonomous region last year.

One-third of Iran's non-oil exports to Iraq are reportedly destined for the KRG. The two sides have renovated their border-crossings and agreed on allowing to drop duties on certain commodities.

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