BAGHDAD A Syrian trade delegation started talks in Iraq on Sunday to try to boost economic ties and further mend relations between the Arab neighbors after years of tension, the state INA news agency reported.
It said Syria's Industry Minister Ahmed Hammo and a 20-strong delegation were visiting Baghdad to discuss deals under Iraq's oil-for-food program with the United Nations.
Hammo, quoted by INA, said the delegation would "discuss means to develop commercial exchange" between the two countries.
The agency said the talks, with Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammed Mahdi Saleh, included the possibility of providing Iraq with medicine, food, construction materials and other goods under the UN program.
Baghdad has been under stringent UN sanctions since its troops invaded Kuwait in August 1990. But it has been allowed since 1996 to sell oil in return for food, medicine and other goods.
Iraq said in August it was planning to double its annual trade exchange with Syria to $1 billion.
Current trade exchange is estimated at around $450 million a year. Economic sources put Iraq's share of imports at more than $300 million a year.
(Reuter)