The five-day Iraq International Fair was inaugurated in Gaziantep province in southeastern Turkey on Wednesday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Iraqi Trade Ministry Undersecretary Adnan Al-Sharif said that efforts were underway for the reconstruction of Iraq, adding that a law on foreign entrepreneurs would play an important role in attracting foreign investments to Iraq.
Stating that foreign investors hesitated to come to Iraq because of security reasons, Al-Sharif said many cities in northern, southern and central regions were secure now.
"Turkey will always have an influential economic role even after the completion of economic transformation in our country. This will further contribute to improvement of bilateral economic relations," he said.
Meanwhile, President of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges Executive Board Rifat Hisarciklioglu said the fair was a proof of importance Turkey attaches to economic and trade relations with its neighbors as well as its will to boost those relations.
"We will also have the opportunity to befriend Turkish and Iraqi businessmen thanks to the fair. Thus, peace and stability in the two countries will be strengthened," he said.
Nearly 1,000 firms from 35 countries, mainly from Europe, attended the fair, the first of its kind outside Iraq.
Machinery, construction materials, automotive products, electric-electronic equipment, health equipment, foodstuff, durable consumer goods, textile and ready-to-wear clothing will be exhibited in the fair.
