Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met on Tuesday with representatives from various foreign international oil companies to discuss progress in the oil investment sector and the development of partnerships between Iraq and major international players.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the progress of work in the areas of extraction, expansion, and implementation of bilateral contracts.
The representatives also highlighted the most significant obstacles hindering the companies' work and the speedy implementation of their obligations with the Ministry of Oil.
The Prime Minister directed the relevant authorities to facilitate the work of the companies by granting entry visas, expediting customs clearance and tax accounting.
He stressed the importance of companies taking into account environmental factors as agreed upon with Iraq to preserve the Iraqi environment.
Furthermore, he indicated that the government has placed a high priority on investment in associated gas to achieve self-sufficiency in this vital natural resource as soon as possible.
Sudani urged the oil companies that signed the fifth licensing round to expedite the implementation of their contracts and to keep him informed regularly of their progress.
He affirmed Iraq's readiness to support its economic partners and welcomed development proposals, while positively addressing reservations and seeking to overcome problems and obstacles in cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil.
