Kazakh-Iraqi intergovernmental commission planned to be created in 2014

    By Daniyar Mukhtarov
    It is planned to create a Kazakh-Iraqi Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Investment Cooperation in 2014, the Ambassador of Iraq to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, Radzhih Sabir Abbud Al-Musaui told Trend.
    "Iraq is interested in expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan. Over the past three years, Iraq proposed an initiative to create an Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Investment Cooperation," Al-Musaui said.
    The country's oil minister has been determined as the co-chairman from the Iraqi side, the ambassador said. Kazakhstan proposed the candidacy of Kazakhstan's Oil and Gas Minister Uzakbai Karabalin as co-chairman.
    The Iraqi diplomat expressed hope the first meeting of the commission will take place in 2014. However he found it difficult to specify the precise date.
    The Iraqi government is paying special attention to the development of relations with Kazakhstan, according to Al-Musaui.
    "Both of our countries hold important positions in their regions. Iraq in the Middle East, Kazakhstan in Central Asia. The economic opportunities of our countries are similar. Both of them are oil producers. They also have subsoil with large mineral reserves," the ambassador said.
    The volume of trade between the two countries is approximately $5 million, according to the diplomat.
    "This is an insignificant indicator which would increase many times as a result of intensification of relations," Al-Musaui said.
    Iraq proposed signing a comprehensive cooperation agreement to cover not only the economy, but also culture and sport, Al-Musaui said.
    Currently, oil production in Iraq has reached 3.5 million barrels per day, according to the ambassador. It is planned to increase this figure to five million barrels per day in 2015, and to 12 million barrels per day in the next five years, according to Trend.