The Iraq International Fair opened Wednesday in the southeastern city of Gaziantep, marking the first time such an event has been held on foreign soil. The fair runs from 7–11 June 2006 at the M1 Tepe GSO Fair and Congress Center, which offers 25,000 square meters of indoor space and 20,000 square meters of outdoor exhibition area.
The event is jointly organized by the Iraqi Ministry of Trade, the Gaziantep Chamber of Industry, Türkiye's Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, and the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB). Close to 1,000 companies from 35 countries, primarily European, are taking part, with attendees arriving from regions spanning the Far East, Africa, the Middle East, and the EU.
Exhibited goods include machinery, construction materials, automotive products, electronics, medical equipment, food, textiles, and consumer durables.
TOBB President Rifat Hisarciklioglu said the fair reflects Türkiye's commitment to deepening trade ties with neighboring countries. Iraqi Trade Ministry Undersecretary Adnan Al-Sharif noted that foreign investment is being actively sought, and that security conditions have improved across northern, southern, and central parts of Iraq.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.