Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Bissat, affirmed his commitment to the success of the strategic partnership with Iraq on Thursday. While expressing Lebanon’s aspiration to overcome challenges and double trade exchange with Iraq within three years, he emphasized that Iraq is an important investment and trade opportunity for Lebanese companies and institutions
In a speech during the signing of memoranda of understanding with the Iraqi Minister of Trade, attended by an Iraqi News Agency (INA) correspondent, Bissat said, “The convening of the second session of the Lebanese-Iraqi Joint Committee comes after a waiting period of more than seven years, which gives this meeting exceptional importance and a great desire to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between our two countries.”
He added, “Our presence today affirms our shared will to overcome all obstacles and place the interests of our two peoples at the forefront of our priorities. Lebanese-Iraqi relations are bonds of brotherhood, shared history, and shared destiny, based on mutual respect and common interest. Iraq has always been a key strategic partner and a vital market for the Lebanese economy, in addition to Iraq’s ongoing efforts to support Lebanon’s stability and prosperity.”
Al-Bassat pointed out that “Lebanon is going through a difficult political, security, and economic phase, as it has been subjected to the most brutal systematic destruction of all its vital sectors and infrastructure. We look forward to cooperating with our brotherly Iraq as one of the important ways to stimulate growth and support our productive sectors. Lebanon, with its strategic location as a gateway to the Mediterranean, its long-standing banking and financial expertise, and its trained human resources, can play a pivotal role in supporting the reconstruction process in our brotherly Iraq and revitalizing its capabilities.”
Al-Bassat explained that “we are determined to overcome these challenges and aspire to a promising future where Lebanese-Iraqi economic relations become a model to be emulated in the region, where trade volume doubles over the next three years, and joint projects are launched that provide job opportunities for thousands of citizens in both countries.”
