Iraq invites US firms to build energy city

Shafaq News- Washington

Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Friday called on UScompanies to help develop the planned energy city on the waterfront of theAl-Faw Peninsula, alongside the route of the country’s Development Roadproject.

During a meeting with US Energy Secretary ChristopherWright at al-Zaidi’s residence in Washington, the two discussed expandingenergy cooperation and ways to attract foreign investment to Iraq.

The talks also covered Iraq’s plans to increase crude oilproduction, expand refining and petroleum processing capacity, and strengthencooperation with US companies in strategic economic sectors.

As part of the government’s push to build long-termpartnerships with major global economies, particularly the United States, al-Zaidi stressed Iraq’s need for advanced technology and faster access toexpertise to support its economic plans.

Wright welcomed Baghdad’s development initiatives andefforts to attract American businesses, noting that US companies had showninterest in operating in Iraq.

He also supported the government’s recent measures tocombat corruption, strengthen state control over weapons, expand investment inassociated gas projects, and reduce gas flaring.

Earlier today, Shafaq News learned that Iraq will sign 48agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the US government,international companies, and global institutions, with energy, infrastructure,and technology projects accounting for the largest share of the package.

Al-Zaidi described the expanding economic ties with theUnited States as a sign of growing confidence between Baghdad and Washington,pointing to the recently signed arrangements as evidence of deeper cooperation.

Al-Zaidi, who began his first official foreign visit sincetaking office on July 13, has held talks with US President Donald Trump andsenior American officials on security cooperation, investment, energy, andeconomic partnerships. The discussions also covered the future of the USmilitary presence following the conclusion of the Global Coalition’s mission,as well as Iraq’s commitment to placing all weapons under state control by theend of September.

Read more: Al-Zaidi's Washington visit links US oil investment to Iraq's September disarmament deadline ...