Iraqi delegation visits UAE’s AD Ports Group with aim to link GCC, Europe via Iraq

Abu Dhabi (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq’s Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibas Al-Saadawi, led a delegation that also included important individuals and executives from the business, investment, and development sectors to the AD Ports Group in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The meeting was held at Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port.

The Iraqi group was given a warm reception by a number of high-ranking UAE officials, including Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the country’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, the Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group.

Discussions at the bilateral meeting focused on launching bilateral cooperation for major projects, like the Iraqi Development Road Project and the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) International Road Transport System, which aims to link the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Europe via Iraq.

“The UAE is one of Iraq’s principal trading partners, and through this meeting we look forward to deepening the economic ties between the two countries,” said Al-Saadawi.

Iraq is one of the UAE’s main commercial partners; in 2023, their combined trade volumes were AED 104 billion, up 13.1% from the previous year.

“The Iraqi government has always sought to create ambitious investment opportunities within the transport and logistics sector, to revitalise the economy in Iraq and the broader region. This includes projects such as the ‘Development Road Project’, a key link for linking Asia and Europe utilising Iraq’s Al-Faw Port, and the TIR system, expected to streamline regional transport and reduce costs,” added Al-Saadawi.

“Our meeting today at Khalifa Port represents a progressive step towards strengthening the regional and global position of both the UAE and Iraq,” said Al Mazrouei. “We see this collaboration elevating the transportation and logistics sectors to unparalleled levels of competitiveness and appeal through the exchange of knowledge, capabilities, and best practice, aimed at achieving mutual progress and prosperity for all.”

“There is no doubt that today’s meeting is of critical importance as we continue to explore joint investment opportunities and systems to increase trade volumes between both countries, stimulating economic growth and achieving prosperity and progress for the people of the UAE and Iraq,” added Al Zeyoudi.

In 2021, AD Ports Group and the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of promoting increased collaboration in the transportation and marine sectors. This include investigating possible investment possibilities in addition to carrying out feasibility studies on the administration and operation of GCPI’s ports, economic zones, and other infrastructure.