Iranian contractors have tried to take more advantages of Iraq's economic and trade potentialities over the past years through having vaster and more comprehensive presence in this country. But, lack of standard international auditing companies in the borders of both countries has caused sometimes some problems for them. On the other side, direct transportation between the two countries has not been still materialized from the Iraqi side and has created some special barriers for its part. The following is an interview conducted with Seyyed Aqil Mousavi, Iraqi commercial attaché in Iran, in which he has expounded more on this issues and offered some suggestions to the Iranian businessmen and traders for more economic activities in Iraq.

What is your main responsibility in Tehran?
The commercial attaché of Iraqi embassy in Tehran is in charge of coordinating the two countries' joint commercial activities specially expanding and modernizing bilateral ties.
Why are there few standard international auditing companies in Iraq for auditing in two countries' joint border?
In addition to BV, the Iraqi government has signed contracts with three other international auditing companies and except for SGS, that its activity was cancelled for some reasons, two international auditing companies that are active in Iraqi borders have unfortunately no office in Iran. The Standard Organization of Iran is in charge of this issue and it has announced us that these two companies have no plan to establish an office in Iran. But, Konvekta is a German company and one of the Iranian companies said that it is the representative of this company in Iran. We said the Iranian company that they should act in Iraq according to the contract signed with the German company. But, they did not know much about the contract. According to the signed contract, the Iraqi government should investigate and take decision in this due.
Why does not the Iraqi government approve the direct transportation between the two countries?
The Iraqi government agrees with direct transport of commodities between the two countries. This issue has been also mentioned in the negotiations between Iran and Iraq. But, there are some security problems inside Iraq which should be removed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Iran-Iraq Relation Development Headquarters are fortunately following up the issue and as I know, the Iraqi government welcomes those Iranian companies that have established joint companies with the Iraqi entities, in line with development objectives and removing the barriers, because, the security of companies is increased through making joint venture with the Iraqis.
Why Iran lags behind its competitors such Turkey in terms of economic activity in Iraq?
Unfortunately, one of the problems of Iraqi government is some of the Iranian companies that do not conduct economic activity in an organized way and based on the international standards and do not follow up their affairs continuously. They damage the reputation of Iran's economy. They do not have any office in Iraq and their activity is not fruitful for economy of Iraq and has no international effect. Although, I should say that some Iranian companies such as STRATUS and SUNIR have had very positive performance in Iraq and the people's idea is positive about them and about Iran.
Of course, Iranian companies should not have a one-side view toward economic relations with Iraq and should not be present just as exporter in this country, while, they should act as investor in Iraq and have noticeable part for its development and reconstruction which will play some constructive role in Iran-Iraq relations.