FM and Iraqi counterpart co-chair opening of joint business forum

Tunis: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq Fuad Hussein, on Saturday, co-chaired the opening of the Tunisian-Iraqi Business Forum, on the 17th session of the Tunisian-Iraqi Joint Committee held in Baghdad.The President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) and the President of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, along with a number of business actors from the private sector in both countries attended the event, according to a Ministry press release.Minister Ammar highlighted in his speech that the organisation of this forum reflects the great importance that the governments of the two countries attach to the private sector as an essential source to support the process of cooperation between them in various fields of trade and investment.He also reviewed the most important reforms and initiatives adopted by Tunisia to improve the business climate, encourage en trepreneurship and stimulate investment in promising and innovative sectors.He stressed Tunisia's keenness to provide all the necessary facilities and encouragement to ensure the success of projects and investments in various sectors.The Minister praised the availability of real opportunities to establish new mutually beneficial partnerships that serve the strategic development goals in the two countries. He called for lifting all obstacles that would hinder the development of trade between the two sides.Minister Ammar stressed the importance of developing the appropriate framework to motivate businessmen in the two countries to take the initiative and establish partnerships and joint projects that contribute to the expected qualitative leap in the cadence and volume of bilateral exchanges.In his speech, the Iraqi Minister stressed the keenness of his government and its readiness to provide all support and facilities to establish a suitable environment for businessmen for the two countries. The Iraqi side is looking forward to the presence of Tunisian companies in Iraq and their participation in a number of important projects, events and exhibitions.The UTICA president and the president of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce both highlighted the promising opportunities offered by the business climate in the two countries and stimulating partnerships in various fields.Bilateral meetings were also held between the both countries' business delegations and focused on enhancing cooperation and partnership in a number of fields and sectors such as food industries, electricity, renewable energies, contracting and handicrafts.Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse