Turkey and Iraq aim for $30 billion bilateral trade
Turkey and Iraq are targeting a bilateral trade volume of more than $30 billion, up from the current $17 billion level. The figure rose to $24 billion in 2022 after the COVID‑19 pandemic and amid higher energy prices. The goal is being pursued under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali ez‑Zeydi, with Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Iraqi Trade Minister Mustafa Nezar al‑Ani outlining the plan at a Turkey‑Iraq Business Round‑Table in Ankara.
Key elements of the cooperation include the 22 billion‑dollar "Development Corridor" project, which will create new logistics hubs and cities, and the integration of energy routes such as full‑capacity operation of the Kirkuk‑Ceyhan oil pipeline and construction of a new Basra‑Ceyhan pipeline. Turkish construction firms have completed $40 billion in projects in Iraq—about 1,157 contracts—and hold roughly $566 billion in worldwide contracts, with Iraq accounting for 7.5‑8 % of that value. A transit‑visa agreement with Saudi Arabia, effective 15 April 2026, is also expected to open additional trade corridors through Iraq.
Entities: Ali ez‑Zeydi · Mustafa Nezar al‑Ani · Recep Tayyip Erdoğan · Turkish construction companies · Ömer Bolat
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Turkish construction firms have roughly 13,000 projects worldwide valued at $566 billion, with Iraq projects accounting for 7.5‑8 % of that total. (e9eaa8bd-01fb-4adb-bfa3-5bcd4425270c, 8356def7-5ee7-4e60-ace8-1f4ee5eb4299)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Plans include operating the Kirkuk‑Ceyhan oil pipeline at full capacity and constructing a new Basra‑Ceyhan pipeline. (e9eaa8bd-01fb-4adb-bfa3-5bcd4425270c, 8356def7-5ee7-4e60-ace8-1f4ee5eb4299)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Development Corridor project, valued at about $22 billion, will create new logistic hubs and cities to boost Turkey‑Iraq trade. (e9eaa8bd-01fb-4adb-bfa3-5bcd4425270c, 8356def7-5ee7-4e60-ace8-1f4ee5eb4299)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Turkey and Iraq aim to raise trade to $30 billion in the medium term under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ali ez‑Zeydi. (e9eaa8bd-01fb-4adb-bfa3-5bcd4425270c, 8356def7-5ee7-4e60-ace8-1f4ee5eb4299, d1acce0b-9b48-45b0-a19e-a4b9a1671851)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Turkish contractors have completed $40 billion worth of projects in Iraq, representing about 1,157 contracts. (e9eaa8bd-01fb-4adb-bfa3-5bcd4425270c, 8356def7-5ee7-4e60-ace8-1f4ee5eb4299)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Trade volume rose to $24 billion in 2022 after COVID‑19 and higher energy prices. (e9eaa8bd-01fb-4adb-bfa3-5bcd4425270c, 8356def7-5ee7-4e60-ace8-1f4ee5eb4299)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Current Turkey‑Iraq bilateral trade volume is $17 billion. (e9eaa8bd-01fb-4adb-bfa3-5bcd4425270c, 8356def7-5ee7-4e60-ace8-1f4ee5eb4299, d1acce0b-9b48-45b0-a19e-a4b9a1671851)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A transit‑visa agreement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia will become effective on 15 April 2026, opening a trade corridor through Iraq. (8356def7-5ee7-4e60-ace8-1f4ee5eb4299)