Türkiye and Iraq are taking new steps to strengthen bilateral trade and cooperation under the Development Road Project, with both sides working toward a target of increasing trade volume to $30 billion.

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat met with Iraq’s Ambassador to Ankara, Majid al-Lachmawi, at the Ministry of Trade to discuss measures aimed at expanding economic ties between the two countries.

In a statement on social media, Bolat said the meeting focused on efforts to implement agreements reached during Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi’s visit to Türkiye last month.

The two sides also discussed measures to strengthen cooperation under the Development Road Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving transport and trade links between Iraq, Türkiye and international markets.

Bolat said efforts to increase bilateral trade to $30 billion, a target set by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi, were among the main issues discussed during the meeting.

The officials also exchanged views on resolving problems faced by Turkish exporters operating in the Iraqi market.

Bolat said Türkiye exported approximately $12.4 billion worth of goods to Iraq in 2025, making Iraq Türkiye’s fifth-largest export market.

He said the two sides had once again reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Türkiye-Iraq relations through concrete projects and added that efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation would continue.(ILKHA)