UAE–Iraq trade exchange exceeded $5b in 2009 – minister

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Trade exchange between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) exceeded $5 billion in 2009, the U.A.E.’s foreign trade minister said on Wednesday. “Iraq is the second Arab economic partner to the U.A.E,” the minister said. She noted that U.A.E. trade exchange with Iraq ranks 11th compared to that with other countries throughout the world. Earlier, the 1st Trade Conference between the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) began in Arbil city.The conference was attended by Kurdistan’s regional prime minister and U.A.E.’s foreign trade minister, in addition to officials and businessmen from both sides. MH (P)/SR 2