Egyptian Economy Minister Yusef Butros Ghali is due to arrive in Baghdad Friday for talks on the free trade zone between Iraq and Egypt, Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammad Mehdi Saleh said Monday.
Saleh told Iraqi youth television that Butros Ghali would lead a 170-strong delegation, including the chairman of the Egyptian chamber of commerce.
The free trade zone between the two countries, agreed upon on January 18, "has a political meaning and isn't purely commercial," Saleh added.
Under the terms of the accord, signed during an official visit to Cairo by Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan, Iraq will abolish customs barriers for Egyptian products and the two countries will form a single market.
A similar agreement was signed on January 31 by Iraq and Syria, and Jordan announced it was also considering setting up a free trade zone with Iraq. — (AFP, Baghdad)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
