On July 17, 2006 U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez visited Baghdad and met with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki, his counterpart, Iraqi Minister of Trade al-Sudani, and other senior officials and private sector representatives to discuss ways to help the Iraqi economy grow, boost jobs and become more integrated in the regional economy.
During the visit Secretary Gutierrez announced that the Commerce Department is implementing several new initiatives to help the Iraqi government and private sector enhance economic development and create jobs. Among those initiatives, the Secretary and Iraqi Minister of Trade al-Sudani signed a joint statement outlining a cooperative action plan between the Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Trade and appointed co-chairs to a working group charged with implementing the plan. The cooperative plan covers enhancing commercial relations, capacity building, and trade development and promotion.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, left, and Iraq's Prime
Minister Nuri al-Maliki met in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, July 17,
2006. The two nations signed a commercial cooperation agreement
in an effort to bring Iraq toward a free market economy.
Iraqi
Trade Minister Abed Falah al-Sudani, left, and U.S. Commerce
Secretary Carlos Gutierrez sign a commercial cooperation
agreement in an effort to bring Iraq toward a free market
economy. The July 17th signing was followed by a press
conference.
Secretary
Gutierrez enjoys a lighter moment with Deputy Prime Minister
Barham Saleh, right, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay
Khalilzad, following a meeting in Baghdad during the Secretary’s
visit. He was the first economic cabinet secretary from the
United States to visit the new al-Maliki Administration.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals Fawzi al-Hariri (center) tour the Telecommunications and Trade Private Sector Showcase hosted by the Commercial Service in the International Zone on July 17th. The ministers made their first stop at the booth of Iraq Trade Information Center, where they were briefed on the ITIC by its Deputy Manager, Mr. Ahmed Younis (not shown).
Download: Joint Statement between DOC and Iraqi MoT (PDF, 476KB)
Links
1. http://www.buyusa.gov/iraq/en/secandpm.jpg
2. http://www.buyusa.gov/iraq/en/118.jpg
3. http://www.buyusa.gov/iraq/en/secmeetwithdpm.jpg
4. http://www.buyusa.gov/iraq/en/secatshowcase.jpg
5. http://www.buyusa.gov/iraq/en/jointstatement.pdf
