Türkiye, Iraq reaffirm commitment to $30B trade target

Türkiye and Iraq reaffirmed their commitment Tuesday to deepening commercial and economic relations and achieving a medium-term trade volume target of $30 billion.

Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat met his Iraqi counterpart, Mustafa Nizar Jumaa, in Ankara as part of Prime Minister Ali Zeydi’s visit to Türkiye.

Bolat said on Turkish social media platform NSosyal that the two ministers discussed concrete steps needed to reach the trade target, expand existing areas of cooperation and encourage mutual investments.

The talks also focused on the strategic importance of the Development Road Project as alternative international trade routes gain prominence.

They assessed efforts to develop new joint projects, facilitate transit trade, harmonize customs procedures and strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ customs authorities.

Bolat said Türkiye and Iraq would establish a new roadmap during the third meeting of the Türkiye-Iraq Joint Economic and Trade Committee, or JETCO, scheduled in Türkiye in the final quarter of 2026.

Bolat said earlier that the rapid integration of the Ibrahim Khalil Border Gate into the ASYCUDA customs system implemented by the Iraqi government would make an important contribution to achieving the $30 billion trade target.

He added that the Development Road Project would accelerate investment and contracting activities between Türkiye and Iraq, including through the establishment of new logistics centers and cities.

In a separate statement, Türkiye's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said they met with Vahab al-Hasani, Iraq's transport minister. Al-Hasani is part of the delegation of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who is on a visit to Türkiye upon the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Based on the deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership between Türkiye and Iraq, our collaborations—especially in transportation—that will contribute to our common goals will provide significant contributions to the development of both countries and to our regional stability," Uraloglu noted

He also stated that Turkish and Iraqi delegations, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi, held talks on strengthening strategic cooperation.

The discussions focused on joint steps in transportation, energy and trade, particularly the Development Road Project.

Uraloglu said the memoranda of understanding signed during the visit would strengthen transport links, support economic integration and contribute to regional development.