IRNA – Iran's commercial attaché in Iraq said that in the Iranian year 1397 (ended March 20, 2019), 39 economic delegations were exchanged between the two countries, showing the growing economic ties between Tehran and Baghdad.

'During the Persian year 1397, 19 trade and marketing missions and 20 official economic delegations, including 720 people have been exchanged between the two countries,' said Nasser Behzad on Saturday.

Behzad said that Iraq as the main target for Iranian export enjoys growing capacities, on which the mentioned delegations focused with the aim of expanding ties, synergy and cooperation as well as strengthening the non-oil export and proper growth of economic relations between the two countries in goods and services.'

He also said that the exchange of the delegations resulted in signing of contracts between private sectors of the two countries, marketing for Iranian goods, opening sales offices, getting acquainted with each other's capacities, expansion of tourism, a 50% growth in Iran's export to Iraq, and field examination of how industries can facilitate cooperation.

He also said that 15% of the delegations were public and 85% from private sectors, which show 137% growth compared to the previous year.

Referring to President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Iraq last month, he said that the agreements made on this visit, in energy, industry, trade, consulate affair, infrastructure and banking, could open a new chapter in Iran-Iraq relations and pave the way for private sectors.