Iraq says it signed 48 agreements during prime minister's US visit

Iraq signed 48 agreements and partnerships with American companies, many of them in the oil sector, during Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to the United States, his office said Saturday.

The Iraqi leader's media office said the agreements included memoranda of understanding, cooperation agreements and partnership declarations between public and private sector entities in Iraq and the United States. It said they included cooperation and partnerships involving Iraq's oil and electricity ministries with ExxonMobil, KBR, GE Vernova, Shell and Halliburton.

The office also said several deals were linked to construction of a major crude oil pipeline between Iraq and Syria. Iraq also signed a deal with Starlink, described in the report as dominating the global satellite communications sector, to introduce services in the country.

The report said oil-rich Iraq is trying to move beyond decades of war and unrest, but continues to face poor infrastructure, failing public services, mismanagement and endemic corruption. It said the country needs an economic boost, especially after losing revenue because of a halt in oil exports caused by the Middle East war.

US President Donald Trump praised Zaidi as a "champion" during a White House meeting on Tuesday. The report described Zaidi as a businessman who came to power this year with US blessing after Trump vetoed another candidate. Zaidi has pledged to strengthen Iraq's fragile economy and disarm pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq that have targeted US facilities. The report said Iraq has long balanced the competing influence of its allies the United States and neighbouring Iran.