Walid al-Helou made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian trade and economic delegation led by deputy minister of industry, mines and trade Mojtaba Khosrotaj.
He said that Iran is a major country with long borders with Iraq and that the Iraqi government is willing to upgrade trade ties and economic cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to IRNA.
'For the same reason, we are seeking broader economic relations with Iran,' he said.
He said that Iraq is planning to initiate good commercial and economic ties with all neighboring states and Iran, in particular.
The Iraqi official further noted that Iranian delegation comprising private and state-run sectors' activists held talks with the Iraqi minister of industries and mines and caretaker of trade ministry and a number of Iraqi economic activists.
Al-Helou further noted that he discussed trade ties and obstacles with the Iranian deputy minister of industries, mines and trade on Monday.
EghtesadOnline: Iraqi deputy trade minister said on Tuesday that Iraqi government is willing to develop commercial and economic relations with Iran and cooperate with Iranian firms to provide necessary needs of the Iraqi nation.