Exports To Iraq From Gap Region Rise 158 Percent

GAZIANTEP - Exports to Iraq from the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region in 2003 rose 158 percent when compared to previous year.
According to Southeast Anatolian Exporters Associations statistics, total exports from the region to Iraq last year was 99 million U.S. dollars.
Total exports from the region to Iraq in 2002 was 38 million 300 thousand U.S. dollars and Iraq followed Italy, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
The region exports cotton thread, carpets, cleaning materials and various foodstuffs, particularly chickpeas and other dried beans, flour, vegetal oil, margarine, sugar and biscuits to Iraq.
Exports of flour broke record last year and increased 1,068 percent from 1,687 thousand U.S. dollars to 19,710 thousand U.S. dollars. Besides exports of cement rose 1,326 percent from 722 thousand U.S. dollars in 2002 to 10,297 thousand U.S. dollars in 2003.
The region also exports chemicals and electric and electronic devices to Iraq.
Officials said they expected exports to rise under rebuilding of Iraq.
(MS-AÖ) 02.02.2004