An exclusive exhibition of Iranian products and services has been scheduled to be held in the Iraqi city of Basra from May 8 to 14.
A wide range of products, including dishware and kitchen utensils, apparel, toys, carpet and carpet tableaus, blankets and bedspreads, handicrafts, textile products, bags, shoes and leather products, electronic equipment, cosmetics and toiletries, detergents and chemicals, nuts, pastry, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and chewing gum, beverages and fruit juice, dairy and ice-cream, flowers and ornamental plants as well as plastic products to name a few, will be displayed at the weeklong event, Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce’s website reported.
The exhibition has been organized by Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Iran’s Consulate in Basra, Arvand Free Zone Organization and Ahvaz Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture.
Recently, Nasser Behzad, Iran’s commercial attaché to Iraq, listed the commodities Iran should prioritize for exporting to Iraq.
As reported by IRNA citing the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade, top priorities include industrial machinery and equipment; medicines and health equipment; food products; detergents and cosmetics; textile; petrochemical and basic oil products; construction materials; electrical home appliances; cellular products; chemicals and minerals; fruits and ornamental plants; livestock products; industrial and herbal plants; leather; and metal products.
According to Behzad, Iraq imports close to $1.5 billion worth of industrial machinery and equipment, while Iran has a 5% share in this regard.
Considering the start of reconstruction projects in Iraq and the need for such machinery, Iraq’s machinery imports are predicted to reach $3 billion in 2018.
Behzad said poor marketing is currently the main impediment to the stronger presence of Iranian businesspeople and traders in Iraq.
Iraq is a major export destination for Iranian products.
Iran-Iraq non-oil trade in the last fiscal year (March 2017-18) totaled $6.50 billion, registering an increase of 4.96% compared to the year before, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.
Iran exported 13.09 million tons of commodities worth $6.42 billion to the neighboring country, down by 8.40% in tonnage and up by 4.79% in value year-on-year.
Among the main commodities exported to Iraq were steam turbine parts, evaporative cooler and tiles.
Iraq exported 80,429 tons of goods worth $77.44 million to Iran, indicating growth in both tonnage and value by 51.91% and 21.50% respectively. It mainly exported aluminum alloy, battery waste and combine harvesters to Iran.
“As per the recent agreement between Iranian and Iraqi customs officials, 12 Iranian commodities exported to the neighboring country will be exempt from standard control inspections upon entry to Iraq,” Nayyereh Piroozbakht, the head of the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran.
She added that the number is expected to increase to 50 in the near future.
The 12 commodities include frozen chicken, tomato paste, evaporative coolers, stove, bricks, socks, as well as different types of tire (for bicycle, motorcycle, cars), ISNA reported.
“From now on, the Iraqi customs offices will give the go-ahead for importing the above-mentioned items that bear the Iranian standard logo,” Piroozbakht said official.
