Iraq, RI sign trade pact

Iraq, RI sign trade pact

BAGHDAD (AFP): Iraq and Indonesia signed an agreement
overnight to expand their economic cooperation, particularly in
oil exploration, the official Iraqi news agency INA reported
Friday.

The accord was signed by the two countries' respective trade
ministers, Mohamed Mahdi Saleh and Rahardi Ramelan, at the end of
the fifth round of meetings of their joint economic commission.

INA said the agreement pledged increased efforts to widen
cooperation in petroleum, industrial, agricultural, health,
communications and educational sectors.

Iraq and Indonesia would continue talks on the development of
the Tuba oilfield in southern Iraq, whose output is estimated at
80,000 barrels a day.

When he arrived in Baghdad Tuesday Rahardi said
representatives of Indonesian oil firms would arrive in Iraq in
two weeks, adding, "I want to see an agreement signed in the near
future."

The two sides decided to set up sub-committees to oversee
cooperation in the sectors of oil, industry, agriculture,
transport and the economy generally.