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AGREED MINUTES OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE JOINT COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ

The Philippine-Iraqi Joint Committee held its 4th session in Baghdad during the period from 30 November to 01 December 1998 .

The Philippine-Iraqi Joint Commission was established in accordance with Article 6 , of the Economic , Scientific , and Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Iraq signed on May 26, 1993.

The Philippine side was headed by Mr. Leonides T. Caday, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs / Vice - Chairman of the Philippine side . The Iraqi side was headed by Dr Ahmad Rashid Mohammad , Deputy Minister of Industry and Minerals / Vice - Chairman of the Iraqi side.

During his visit , the Philippine Foreign Undersecretary met with the Minister of Housing and Construction, the Minister of Trade as well as the Deputy Foreign Minister and Deputy Minister of Oil.

Both Sides noted with satisfaction the existing bilateral relations between their Countries and expressed the desire to work for its further development.

The following Sub-Committees were formed:

1. The Commercial & Financial Cooperation Committee:

A. Both Sides reviewed the procedures of implementing the provisions mentioned in the Approved Minutes during the Meeting of the 3rd session of the Joint Committee .The agenda proposed by both Sides at the present session was discussed and it was agreed to form sub-committees to discuss the means of cooperation in the following fields :

B. Both Sides expressed their desire to develop the commercial and economic relations in all fields and to take the necessary measures to increase volume of the commercial and economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries.

The Philippine side expressed its desire for Philippine companies to supply food and medicine in the framework of Iraq - UN MOU on Oil-For-Food Program .

The Iraqi Side requested to be provided with the names and addresses of reliable Philippine suppliers.

C. The Iraqi side reiterated its previous request from the Philippine side for the extension of credit facilities to cover the value of the commodities , goods and raw materials requested by the Iraqi concerned offices.

The Philippine side took note of the Iraqi request and will reply as soon as possible.

D. A Cooperation Agreement between the Iraqi Federation of Chambers of Commerce and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry was signed on 30 November 1998 in Baghdad .

2. The Economic Cooperation :

A. Industry;

- The Iraqi side reiterated on the necessity to implement the MOU signed on 30.4.1997 between Ministry of Industry and Minerals and the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) regarding the development of bilateral cooperation with the view to supplying the raw materials requested by the Iraqi companies .

- The Iraqi side reiterated to the Philippine side the importance of implementing the agreement which had been signed between the Ministry of Industry and Minerals and PITC on 30.4.1997 concerning the establishment of Joint Venture Project in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

- Both Sides expressed mutual desire to continue cooperation in establishing joint projects based on the Minutes of the Meeting signed on 30.4.1997 between the Ministry of Industry and Minerals and PITC.

B. Agriculture

The Iraqi side expressed its desire to cooperate with the Philippines side in the following fields:

- Veterinary services specifically in the diagnoses of animal diseases.

- Application of biological fertilizers and modern techniques in this fields.

- Providing the Ministry of Agriculture with species of hybrid rice seeds that are resistant to dryness and salinity for possible planting of the same in Iraq.

- Training of Agricultural staff in forests protection and management and to be informed on the species of trees available in the Philippines that can be planted in Iraq.

- Requesting Ph.D. and M.S.C Scholarship in the control of rice diseases. The Philippines side clarified that it will study the request of the Iraqi side and reply accordingly.

C. Oil

Both Sides agreed to follow-up the negotiations which have been carried out between both sides about exploring and developing the Exploration Block No. (9) in the Iraqi western desert.

The Philippines side has completed the technical evaluation of the said area above as well as the legal aspects of the preliminary draft contract.

Direct discussion between the Oil Exploration Company (EOC) of the Oil Ministry of Iraq in the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) of the Philippine Government shall be held at the beginning of Feb./1999 in order to finalize the economic and financial aspects of the contract which should lead to the signing of the contract as soon as possible.

D. Transportation and Communication .

The Iraqi side offered to the Philippine side a list of its requirements for machines and equipments in the field of transportation and communication as well as the training courses in the civil aviation at the expense of the Philippine side .

The Philippine side clarified that they will study the request of the Iraqi side and reply accordingly .

E. Health

The Iraqi side informed the Philippine side on the request of the Ministry of Health on medicines , medical and surgical requirements as well as the training opportunities for its Medical and Health personnel and Engineering training courses for repair of medical equipment.

The Philippine side has been provided with a list of the above requirements with a request to take the necessary actions accordingly .

F. Housing and Construction

The Iraqi side expressed its desire for cooperation between the Philippine companies and companies of Ministry of Housing and Construction to implement overseas construction projects and other business contracts in other countries .

The Philippine side welcomed the proposal and promised to endorse it to relevant authorities .

3. Scientific and Technical Cooperation

Both Sides have signed the Executive Program on the Scientific, Cultural and Educational Cooperation for the years 1999-2001 .

The two sides agreed to hold the 5th Session of the Philippine-Iraqi Joint Committee in Manila at a date to be mutually agreed upon through diplomatic channels.

Signed in Baghdad on the 1st day of December 1998 in two originals in the English language both of which are equally authentic.

For the Philippine side (Sgd.) LEONIDES T. CADAY Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs.

For the Iraqi side (Sgd.) DR. AHMED RASHID MOHAMMED Deputy Minister of Industry and Minerals

LIST OF PHILIPPINE DELEGATION

1. The Honorable LEONIDES T. CADAY
Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs

2. The Honorable RAFAEL E. SEGUIS
Assistant Secretary for Middle East and African Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs

3. Mr. ALEJANDRO MOSQUERA
Charge d' Affaires, a.i. Philippine Embassy, Baghdad

4. Dr. FE HIDALGO
Assistant Secretary, Department of Education, Culture and Sports

5. Mr. ISMAELCRUZ
President, Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC)

6. Mr. ALAN BRION
Consultant, PNOC-EC

LIST OF IRAQI DELEGATION

1. DR. AHMED R. MOHAMMED
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Industry and Minerals Head of Iraqi Side ,

2. DR. SALAH N.AL - SAMARMAD
Ambassador Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3. MR. HUSSAIN ALI RAJAB
Director of Developing Countries
Ministry of Trade - The repertur

4. MR. ABDUL SATTAR AL SAFI
Director General / Ministry of Industry and Minerals

5. DR. KAHTAN A. AL-AZZAWI
Director General, Agricultural
Investment Board, Ministry of Agriculture

6. MR. ABDUL HUSSAIN M. JAWAD
Iraqi Fedaretion of Chambers of Commerce.

7. DR. ABDUL JABBAR ABDUL ABBAS
Director General of Directorate of
Preventive Health, Ministry of Health

8. MR. MAMON AL NASRY
Director General
Ministry of Transport and Communication.

9. DR. HUITHEM AL-ANI
Director General Ministry of Higher Education

10. MR. SADI ABDUL ZAHRAH
Chief Research Ministry of Oil (SOMO)

11. MR. MOUAFAK T. IZEDIN
Director Dept. Agreements and Financing Ministry of Finance

12. MR. WADHAH ABDUL AZIZ ABDUL TIMMAN
Director Planning and Fellow up
Chief of Building Department
Ministry of Housing and Construction

13. MR. ZAKI AL-HABBA
Director of Asian Section M.O.F.A.

14. MR. HAZIM N.ABDULLAH
Central Bank of Iraq

15.MR. KASIM T. ABUDULHADI
Director / Ministry of Trade