Serious orientations to activate the Iraqi-German economic cooperation

Trade exchange exceeded 1.3 billion euros

Iraq and Germany have discussed ways of joint cooperation in Berlin and the restoration of bridges of cooperation. This is a clear indication of the importance of the Iraqi economy for German companies, which are the best in the world in more than one economic detail.
*The recent Iraqi-German Business and Investment Forum is one of the positive signs in the economic relations between Germany and Iraq and the return of the big companies classified internationally such as Siemens to work in the Iraqi market with the growth of trade between the two countries.
The head of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce Jaafar al-Hamdani said in his speech before the Fourth Iraqi-German Economic Forum: The volume of trade exchange between the two parties increased from 400 million euros in 2008 to more than 1.3 billion euros last year, although more than sixty percent of them are German exports .
The observer notes here that the structure of these exports is increasingly changing in favor of investment in production and service projects rather than consumption. This is evidenced by the fact that the share of various machinery and equipment is about 50%. Iraqi exports to Germany are almost exclusively oil exports.
Chairman of the Iraqi-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Alaa Al-Nouri said that the positive signs and the many projects
*Of course, this raises the appetite of the German companies, whose representatives have been present at a high level
In the activities of the German-Iraqi Forum
the fourth.
He pointed out that some of these representatives expressed their willingness to participate in the acquisition and implementation of mega projects proposed and implemented in the field of energy, petrochemicals, health and vocational training; and looks good opportunities for several reasons, the most important of these companies have global expertise in the pioneering construction and modernization of infrastructure.
The interest of German companies in the Iraqi market is widely supported in the political and economic decision-making circles of both sides. Iraqis still prefer German industry to many other international brands.
Nouri pointed out that one of the problems that hinder the exploitation of opportunities lies in the view of these companies to the Iraqi market as a market for the export of consumer goods and equipment rather than as a market for direct investment, he confirmed. Al-Nouri said at the Berlin meeting, wondering how to change this view. The debate that took place in this regard touched on many reasons that are not related only to the weak level of industry and the lack of local expertise, but that the general stability plays a major role in activating cooperation to levels of great benefit to both countries, where the German effort can be used in the revitalization of productive and service sectors.
For his part, Olaf Hoffmann, Vice-President of the German-Arab Chamber of Commerce, said that "Iraq is a large market with huge potential and large projects, but we have to study the situation, including security, adding: If German companies are not ready to deal with the unstable security situation, we do not recommend going to Iraq".

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