Iraq grants six-month visa to Lebanese nationals: Industry Minister 

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq will grant a six-month visa to Lebanese citizens who wish to visit the country, the Iraqi Ministry of Industry Manhal Aziz al-Khabbaz said on Monday.

The announcement came during a joint press conference between al-Khabbaz and his Lebanese counterpart, George Boushekian, in Lebanon's capital Beirut.

The decision came after Iraq and Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation in the industrial field. Moreover, the two countries recently held two annual business conferences.

Iraq believes it can benefit from Lebanon's food and pharmaceutical industries and the Levantine country's marketing expertise, al-Khabbaz told the conference.

Accompanied by a ministerial delegation, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati will soon visit Iraq, Boushekian said, adding the visit is for putting the "final touches on the integration agreements" between the two countries.

Lebanese people can now acquire a six-month Iraqi visa upon arrival to the country, according to al-Khabbaz.

The current trade volume between Iraq and Lebanon is currently $140 million. It is, however, expected to jump to $1 billion, the Lebanese official said.

Lebanon is presently suffering a dire economic crisis replete with fuel and electricity shortage and skyrocketing prices, and currency devaluation.

Besides Iraq, a number of Middle Eastern countries have previously announced that they would extend a helping hand to Lebanon to help it endure this debilitating crisis.