The Iraqi International Fair is set to open in Gaziantep on 7 June 2006, running through 11 June. The event is co-organized by the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), the Gaziantep Chamber of Industry, Iraq's Trade Ministry, and Forum Fair Company. Around 3,000 Iraqi buyers are expected to attend.
The fair effectively replaces the International Baghdad Fair, which has not taken place since US military operations began in Iraq. Roughly 1,000 companies from 30 countries will participate, including 200 foreign firms, according to Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen.
Gaziantep Chamber of Industry Chairman Nejat Kocer noted that Turkish Airlines will add extra flights during the fair week. A side event called the Business Partner Iraq meeting will bring together ministers from Iraq, Georgia, and Syria, along with deputy ministers from Ukraine and Romania.
Trade ties between Türkiye and Iraq have grown considerably. Turkish firms took on approximately 3 billion USD in post-war projects in Iraq, annual trade with Iraq reached 2.7 billion USD in 2005, and transit trade volume came to 2.8 billion USD the same year.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.