<i>Al-Bayan</i> newspaper reported on a recent visit to Italy by Iraqi Science and Technology Minister Rashid Mandan ‘Amir. The Iraqi delegation included representatives from the Energy, Telecom, and Technology Ministries. The paper quoted the Iraqi Minister, who said that the purpose of the visit was to encourage cooperation with Italian companies in oil matters.
The paper noted that Iraqi oil reserves reach 112 billion barrels with a value of $25 billion, and that Iraqi daily oil production will reach six million barrels by 2010. The Italian government energy company INE signed an agreement with the Iraqi government for cooperation in oil drilling and professional training of Iraqi workers in oil production.
