2026-07-17T21:33:04+00:00
Shafaq News- Washington
Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Friday called on US
companies to help develop the planned energy city on the waterfront of the
Al-Faw Peninsula, alongside the route of the country’s Development Road
project.
During a meeting with US Energy Secretary Christopher
Wright at al-Zaidi’s residence in Washington, the two discussed expanding
energy cooperation and ways to attract foreign investment to Iraq.
The talks also covered Iraq’s plans to increase crude oil
production, expand refining and petroleum processing capacity, and strengthen
cooperation with US companies in strategic economic sectors.
As part of the government’s push to build long-term
partnerships with major global economies, particularly the United States, al-Zaidi stressed Iraq’s need for advanced technology and faster access to
expertise to support its economic plans.
Wright welcomed Baghdad’s development initiatives and
efforts to attract American businesses, noting that US companies had shown
interest in operating in Iraq.
He also supported the government’s recent measures to
combat corruption, strengthen state control over weapons, expand investment in
associated gas projects, and reduce gas flaring.
Earlier today, Shafaq News learned that Iraq will sign 48
agreements 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 the
United 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 since
taking office on July 13, has held talks with US President Donald Trump and
senior American officials on security cooperation, investment, energy, and
economic partnerships. The discussions also covered the future of the US
military presence following the conclusion of the Global Coalition’s mission,
as well as Iraq’s commitment to placing all weapons under state control by the
end of September.
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