Iraq, US review cooperation in energy sector
Gas flares burn at an oilfield in Iraq. Photo: AFP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, reviewed on Wednesday cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.
During their meeting in Baghdad, the two sides discussed strategies to promote cooperation in the energy sector to achieve common interests, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Al-Sudani stressed the government’s eagerness to achieve self-sufficiency in energy, particularly in the areas of natural gas extraction, electricity generation, petrochemical and fertilizer production, utilization of flared gas, and supply of oil derivatives.
The Iraqi Prime Minister explained that the deals concluded during his visit to the United States last month are currently being carried out.
Al-Sudani urged US companies to work and invest in Iraq, citing the government’s efforts to accelerate economic and financial reforms, particularly in the areas of tax, customs, and the banking industry, in order to create an optimal investment climate.
Pyatt praised the efforts made by the Iraqi government to grow the energy industry, pointing out that the joint statement from the Iraqi Prime Minister and US President Joe Biden offers a road map for productive collaboration.
The US official emphasized that US businesses seek to increase their investments and operations in Iraq.