His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Qatar, and His Excellency Mr. Athir Daoud Salman Al-Ghurairi, Minister of Commerce of Iraq, co-chaired the seventh session of the Qatari-Iraqi Joint Committee for Economic and Trade Cooperation, held in Baghdad on July 7-8, 2024. This session underscored the mutual commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation, developing economic partnerships, and improving joint mechanisms between the two nations, with a significant focus on renewable energy initiatives.

In his opening remarks, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani praised the close fraternal relations between Qatar and Iraq. He emphasized that these ties serve as a catalyst for strengthening and deepening cooperation in the economic, trade, and investment sectors. His Excellency highlighted the historic and solid relationships built on mutual trust and fruitful cooperation, which have evolved over the years, creating positive momentum to advance and diversify promising bilateral cooperation in key sectors.

The committee identified economic potentials and promising investment environments in both countries, presenting significant opportunities for the Qatari and Iraqi private sectors to build partnerships. Discussions covered vital sectors such as industry, infrastructure, renewable energy projects, digital transformation, financial and logistical services, among others, that are ripe for cooperation to develop relations and increase trade exchange.

At the conclusion of the seventh session of the Qatari-Iraqi Joint Committee, a joint protocol was signed, outlining more exhaustive areas of agreed cooperation between the two countries. This includes trade, industry, investment, free zones, the private sector, energy, finance, taxation, customs, transport, civil aviation, telecommunications, information technology, reconstruction, housing, general municipalities, infrastructure, agriculture, water resources, education, higher education, scientific research, health, environment, culture, youth, sports, labor, social welfare, and justice.

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani remarked, “The historic and solid relationships between Qatar and Iraq have evolved to create a positive momentum that will advance and diversify our bilateral cooperation, benefiting both our nations in pivotal sectors crucial for development, including renewable energy.”

His Excellency Mr. Athir Daoud Salman Al-Ghurairi echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of building on these foundations to explore new opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit.

The seventh session of the Qatari-Iraqi Joint Committee marks a significant step forward in the relationship between Qatar and Iraq, reinforcing their commitment to fostering a robust and diversified economic partnership, with a notable emphasis on renewable energy cooperation.