Iraq Signs 48 Agreements with US Companies, Starlink to Shell to Take Part

Illustration of Iraqi demonstrators waving the national flag at Baghdad's Tahrir Square. (Mondalawy-Wikimedia Commons)

Iraq signed 48 agreements and partnerships with US companies, many of which are in the oil sector.

The signing of this agreement took place during the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi to the US.

Oil-rich Iraq has been trying to recover from decades of war and domestic unrest. But to this day, the infrastructure of the Middle Eastern country is still poor, its public services are considered failed, mismanaged, and rampant corruption.

Iraq desperately needs an economic boost, especially after losing revenue due to the suspension of oil exports as a result of the war in the Middle East.

"A total of 48 agreements, memorandums of understanding, cooperation agreements, and partnership declarations were signed between public and private sector entities in Iraq and the United States," the Iraqi leader's media office said, quoted by AFP, Sunday, July 19.

The agreements include "cooperation and partnerships involving the ministries of oil and electricity... with ExxonMobil, KBR, GE Vernova, Shell, and Halliburton," as well as several deals related to the construction of a major crude oil pipeline between Iraq and Syria.

Iraq also signed an agreement with Starlink, which dominates the global satellite communications sector, to introduce the service to the country.

On Tuesday this week, US President Donald Trump praised Zaidi as a "champion" during a meeting at the White House.

Zaidi, an entrepreneur, came to power this year with US blessing after Trump vetoed another candidate.

He has promised to boost Iraq's fragile economy and disarm pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq that have targeted US facilities.

Iraq has long been in a difficult position between the competing influence of US allies and neighboring Iran.