Agreements signed to set up free trade, industrial zones

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Ministry of Industry has signed several agreements to create seven free trade and industrial zones with neighboring countries. “The agreements have been signed with Turkey, Iran, Syria and Jordan,” the minister of industry, Fawzi al-Hariri, told Iraqi News. “Three free zones will be set up with Iran: one in the north, another in the middle and a third in the south; while two zones will be created with Syria: in Anbar and in Mosul,” the minister pointed out. “Coordination has taken place with the local councils to facilitate all procedures,” he added. On August 5, a spokesperson for the Iraqi government, Ali al-Dabbag, said that the cabinet had authorized the trade minister to negotiate and sign a draft agreement between the governments of Iraq and Jordan to create a free trade zone. SS (P) 1