Egypt, Iraq sign 11 MoUs, discuss reconstruction projects

CAIRO – 13 June 2023: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli and his Iraqi counterpart Mohamed Shia' al-Sudani held Tuesday a joint press conference during the latter's visit to Cairo ahead of launching the meetings of the Egyptian-Iraqi Business Forum and after chairing the Joint Supreme Committee including ministers from both states.

The two prime ministers attended the signing of 11 MoUs in the fields of funding and providing technical support to SMEs; training of diplomats; training of public employees; tourism; technical cooperation between the trade ministries of both countries to help Iraq become WTO member; youth and sports; social safety; and, planning.

The two prime ministers discussed areas of cooperation on the trilateral level with Jordan as well as regional affairs. In that regard, Sudani asserted Iraq's support to Egypt's stance on the Sudanese and Libyan crises, noting that relations with Egypt are strategic and that the committee's work tackled intensifying strategic cooperation.  

Sudani said that there are opportunities for cooperation between the Egyptian and Iraqi private sectors, highlighting that, currently, investors keep flocking into Iraq.

In a similar context, the Iraqi prime minister expressed pride in what Egypt had accomplished in the sector of infrastructure and new cities, saying it reflects the capabilities of those companies.

Madbouli showcased that Sudani's visit to Egypt is the second in three months, and that it comes in time where the region and the world are experiencing increasing challenges on the political and economic levels. He noted that such reality requires the intensification of joint work as well as identifying and investing every opportunity to leverage capabilities.

Madbouli commended the endorsement of the Iraqi budget for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025, saying it reflects an ambitious reform programme that consists of measures and practical solutions to the delay in executing projects.

The prime minister added that such step would have a positive impact on cooperation programmes with Egypt, including the implementation of reconstruction projects by Egyptian firms, which are ready to transfer their experience to Iraqi counterparts through partnerships.