AMMAN, Jan 29 (IslamOnline) - Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb on Monday said that Jordan would hold talks with Iraq next week in order to establish a Free Trade Zone between the two countries.
Abul Ragheb, addressing Jordan's Upper House of parliament concerning the 2001 Draft Budget Law, said a strong delegation headed by Minister of Trade and Industry Wasif Azar is expected to conclude the FTZ agreement during their several-day visit to Iraq.
The premier said the 150-member delegation will include businessmen and merchants and would push for the activation of a $450 million trade protocol.
The premier's comments came a few days after Iraq, Jordan's major trade partner, signed a free trade agreement with Egypt.
Iraq and Syria are expected to reach a similar agreement during talks between Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan and Syrian Prime Minister Mustafa Mero.
A free trade agreement between Iraq and other Arab states would stipulate the lifting of all customs barriers and ease the flow of goods to sanctions-hit Iraq, under a 11-year-old embargo following its 1990-91 occupation of Kuwait.
Last week, Jordanian private sector representatives demanded that the government sign a Free Trade Agreement with Iraq. Mohammed Mahdi Saleh, Iraq's Trade Minister, urging Jordan to conclude such an accord, followed their call.
Last November, Jordan and Iraq renewed a $600 million oil protocol during Abul Ragheb's visit to Iraq, where he met with President Saddam Hussein.
As part of this protocol, Jordan was scheduled to receive five million tons of oil and oil derivatives.
