Mehr News Agency reported that Iran plans to export USD 4 billion worth of goods and USD 2 billion worth of technical engineering services and energy in the current Iranian calendar year to Iraq.

Mr Seyyed Ali Mousavi GD of Tehran province commerce department said that Iraq annually imports USD 40 billion worth of goods from countries such as Turkey, the US, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Iran plays an important role in Iraq’s reconstruction. Iran’s non oil exports to Iraq were valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2007 and USD 2.3 billion in 2008.

Each month, more than 40,000 Iranians visit Shiite holy sites such as Najaf and Karbala, buying religious souvenirs and supporting the economy through tourism.

Iraq imports the following goods from Iran: cars, construction material, medicine, fruit and spices, fish, air conditioners, office furniture, carpets and apparel.

Basra alone imports USD 45 million worth of goods from Iran each year including carpets, construction materials, fish and spices. Each day, 100 to 150 commercial trucks transport goods from Iran to Iraq through the nearby Shalamcheh border crossing.

(Sourced from Mehr News Agency)