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Shafaq
\nNews- Ilam<\/p>\n
Iranian
\neconomists and trade experts are calling for a broader economic partnership
\nwith Iraq, urging Tehran to strengthen ties in production, investment and job
\ncreation, state-run IRNA News reported on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The
\nproposals came at a meeting of the Employment Council in Ilam province in
\nwestern Iran. The province is home to a significant Feyli Kurdish population,
\nshares a 430-kilometer border with Iraq and hosts the Mehran crossing, one of
\nthe main land routes between the two countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrade
\nwith Iraq needs to move beyond its traditional form,\u201d Aziz Moraseli, an
\neconomic researcher and faculty member at Ilam University, noted at the
\nmeeting, advocating a more organized market built around local production and
\ngoods that can compete on quality.<\/p>\n
Moraseli
\nalso pointed to a lack of coordination among government and commercial bodies
\ninvolved in Iraq-related trade, including economic attach\u00e9s, consulates,
\nchambers of commerce and universities. Overlapping responsibilities and
\nmultiple decision-making centers, he argued, have made it harder to capitalize
\non opportunities in the Iraqi market.<\/p>\n
To
\naddress the issue, Moraseli proposed a \u201cunified external economy leadership\u201d
\nfocused on removing trade barriers and setting clear timelines, resources and
\nresponsibilities. The objective, he maintained, should be to turn economic
\nrecommendations into concrete programs with measurable re sults.<\/p>\n
Another
\nproposal called for an \u201ceconomic and cultural corridor\u201d linking Shirvan,
\nBadreh, Darreh Shahr, Abdanan and Dehloran in Ilam province. Developing it,
\nhowever, would require additional investment in infrastructure and
\nwater-pumping projects, along with greater private-sector investment in
\nagriculture and manufacturing.<\/p>\n
Beyond
\ntraditional trade, participants also recommended establishing a research center
\nfor Iranian-Iraqi economic studies at Ilam University. The center would provide
\nmarket data and research to help policymakers and businesses identify
\ninvestment opportunities, including in the digital economy and supply chains.<\/p>\n