| 2008: 100 million Euros for agricultural equipment |
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June 4, 2008 The Iraqi Ministry of Finance will allocate the first part of an Italian loan to the purchase of agricultural equipment and machinery for Iraqi farmers and peasants, an official statement said on Wednesday. The decision was taken during talks between the minister of finance, Baqer Jabr al-Zubeidi and the Italian ambassador to Iraq, Maurizio Milani, according to a statement released by the Iraqi cabinet's national media center and received by Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI), quoting the Iraqi minister. The Iraqi government reiterated its keenness to develop mutual relations in all fields with Italy, which will help boost its infrastructure and industry, the statement noted. "The Iraqi minister said it is important to benefit from the Italian sophisticated agricultural system, which he said will help steer the Iraqi agricultural sector," the statement added. "The first part of the loan, 100 million euros, will be allocated for the purchase of agricultural machinery and equipment, as part of the Iraqi prime minister's initiative to develop the agricultural situation in the country and achieve a high level of self-sufficiency," it said. Italy has given Iraq a €400-million loan for investment in agricultural projects. Source: Voices of Iraq |