Iraqi think tank "wisdom palace", said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua reporters in Baghdad recently that the "one belt and one way" initiative has broader and deeper significance than economic benefits, and is of great significance to Iraq's post war reconstruction.
Iraq is one of the cradles of ancient civilization. Baghdad and Basra are important nodes on the land Silk Road and the maritime Silk Road, as well as important distribution centers for East-West trade. "The historical significance of the ancient Silk Road is that it is a corridor linking the East and the West, and Iraq's historical position on the Silk Road comes from its economic and civilizational importance." Tamimi said.
As Iraq's official and largest think tank, the "Palace of Wisdom" was established in 1995 under the Secretariat of the Iraqi Council of Ministers. "The Belt and Road Initiative connects Asia, Africa and Europe by land and sea, with the aim of promoting regional integration and trade and enhancing economic growth,
" Tamimi said. Tamimi also said that this initiative has broader and deeper significance than economic benefits, promotes cultural and social integration, and is also of great significance to Iraq, which is undergoing reconstruction. In the past
16 years, the war has plunged Iraq into chaos, and terrorist attacks and sectarian conflicts have become the norm. In December 2017, Iraq won a historic victory against the extremist organization "Islamic State", but due to the formation of the new government and the security situation, Iraq is still in a state of disrepair. In December
2015, China and Iraq established a strategic partnership and signed a "Belt and Road" cooperation document. Under the framework of "one belt and one road", Chinese enterprises are currently involved in oil fields, power stations, cement plants, water treatment plants and other construction projects in Iraq to serve the reconstruction of Iraq.
Tamimi said that for Iraq, active participation in the "Belt and Road" initiative is the beginning of expanding and diversifying the country's economy. This initiative will not only improve transportation and promote the flow of goods, but also promote cultural exchanges and the development of tourism in Iraq. He cited Iraq's success in upgrading its railway system in the past few years with the help of a Chinese company.
"The historical opportunity brought by the Belt and Road Initiative will be an opportunity for the Iraqi economy to get rid of its almost complete dependence on oil export revenue." Tamimi said that the rebuilding of Iraq is full of hope and needs experience from China, and the Iraqi government also needs to improve its management system to attract Chinese investment. "Iraq needs China's experience, and through the" one belt and one way "project, our communication and cooperation with China will be closer.
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