ANKARA - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said Sunday that the Turkish-Iraqi relations continue on its normal course and announced Turkey's export target with Iraq as 3 billion USD in 2008.
Speaking to AA on commercial relations with Iraq, Tuzmen said the trade volume between Turkey and Iraq was 3.5 billion USD in 2007 and said Turkey's exports to Iraq made up 2.8 billion USD of this figure.
Tuzmen said the 3rd International Iraqi Fair which would take place in Gaziantep in May was very important. He recalled that Iraq used to purchase its needs at the International Baghdad Fair before the war and pointed out that the security threats caused by the war made this impossible.
"Now, the International Iraqi Fair held in Turkey fills the gap. The fair that will be held also by the support of Iraqi Ministry of Commerce will host thousands of local and foreign companies that want to make business with Iraq. Thousands of Iraqi citizens will attend the fair to purchase goods and hold talks with participating companies. Iraqi state officials who make purchases on behalf of the state will also be among participants from Iraq," said Tuzmen.
The International Iraqi Fair will be held between May 22nd-25th in Turkish southeastern city of Gaziantep.