Iran-Iraq Trade Amounts to US $ 2 Billion

Iran-Iraq Trade Amounts to US$2 Billion

Aug 2007, Al Bawaba

Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Kazemi Qomi said that Iran-Iraq trade exchange amounts to US$2 billion of which 97 percent is Iran's exports to Iraq.

Kazemi Qomi told IRNA that trade cooperation between the two countries is turning into bilateral economic ties. According to him, the project on Baghdad power plant with a capacity of 300 megawatts is to be implemented under a US$150 million contract. Qomi added Iran is conducting feasibility studies on two pipeline projects in order to transfer 350,000 bpd of oil and derivatives from Basra to Abadan.

Interesting to note that Iran contributes 97% of the trade - hmmm...essentially Iran-Iraq trade is Iran trade to Iraq. Is this a pointer of things to come? Will Iraq become more and more of Iran?

These statistics should also make US realise how foolish it will be not to involve Iran when trying to figure out a way to make Iraq stable. Yeah, these two countries do not like each other, but which is better for the US? - Losing thousands of more priceless American soldiers' lives or losing face and admitting that Iran is possibly the most important power player in that region?

You figure.