Agreement signed to implement engineering consultancy projects in Iraq

AMMAN — Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi signed an agreement with his Iraqi counterpart Nazanin Wassou in Baghdad to implement engineering consultancy projects in Iraq between Jordanian and Iraqi companies, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed bolstering bilateral relations in the fields of housing, construction and contracting, through cooperating to establish reconstruction projects in Iraq.

Kisbi affirmed Jordan's readiness to provide support for infrastructure and reconstruction projects in Iraq, in implementation of the outcomes of the tripartite summit held in Baghdad last June, in which His Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi stressed the importance of expanding tripartite cooperation in all fields.

The Jordanian housing minister expressed the willingness of the housing and construction sector to exchange expertise in service of common interests.

He praised the Iraqi side for providing incentives, encouraging Jordanian contractors and investors to work in Iraq.

Wassou said that the meeting is an extension of the Jordanian-Egyptian-Iraqi tripartite agreement, stressing Iraq's endeavours to materialise the summit's outcomes. 

She underlined that Iraq prioritises encouraging Jordanian private housing, construction and contractiing companies specialised to contribute to the Iraqi reconstruction plan and the establishment of vital projects. 

The Iraqi minister lauded the work of Jordanian engineers and contractors.

Kisbi also met with Iraq’s Minister of Planning Khaled Najm, focusing on the outcomes of the tripartite summit. 

During their meeting, Kisbi said that both countries have taken practical measures to implement the decisions of the tripartite summit, including establishing the joint economic zone, cooperating in the field of Iraqi oil and gas export, completing the power linkage requirements, expanding areas of investment and providing the best investment conditions for Iraqis in Jordan and Jordanians in Iraq. 

Kisbi voiced the government’s keenness, under the directives of Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, to overcome obstacles facing Iraqi investors by facilitating procedures and providing incentives.

He extended appreciation for the Iraqi government’s efforts to support Jordanian investors and contractors and give them priority to work in Iraq.

Najm emphasised that “Iraq will not forget Jordan's supportive stances”, praising the distinguished relations between the two countries.

He stressed that despite the existence of high prices of construction materials globally, the Iraqi market remained profitable for investors, pointing to Iraq's need to reconstruct many roads and establish housing units in various regions of the country. 

The two sides agreed to intensify joint efforts in light of the coronavirus pandemic, work to reduce its economic ramifications, and focus on expanding areas of cooperation.