PHOTO PHOTO: Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi attends a news conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wearing a protective mask, in Tehran, Iran, July 21, 2020. Official website of the Presidency / Handout via REUTERS
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Five U.S. companies including Chevron Corp (CVX.N) signed agreements on Wednesday with the Iraqi government aimed at boosting Iraq’s independent energy from Iran as the Iraqi prime minister prepares for his first visit to the White House on Thursday.
The U.S. Department of Energy said in a statement that Honeywell International Inc. (HON.N), Baker Hughes Co (BKR.N), General Electric Co (GE.N), Stellar Energy and Chevron signed commercial agreements worth up to $ 8 billion with the Iraqi oil and electricity ministers.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is set to visit the White House for the first time on Thursday and because the Iraqi economy has been hit by coronavirus blockades and low oil prices. Protests that began last year led to the dismissal of cabinet officials and later to the departure of the former prime minister.
“These deals are key to Iraq’s energy future, and I’m sure the same companies that empowered the United States to become energy dependent will use their deep expertise to help Iraq reach its full potential. in the energy sector, “US Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said in a statement.
The agreements were signed following a meeting of Iraqi ministers of oil and electricity and Brouillette, as well as at a roundtable in Washington on Wednesday with the Iraqi prime minister and the US energy industry.
An official of the administration, reporters reported separately prior to the Energy Department’s statement, said officials will discuss national security issues in addition to economic cooperation.
Report by Alexandra Alper and Daphne Psaledakis; Additional Report by Idrees Ali; Edited by Chris Reese and Grant McCool
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