<p dir="LTR"><span>TEHRAN TIMES – Iran and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on establishment of industrial parks, Shata news agency reported.</span></p> <p dir="LTR"><span>The MOU was signed by Iranian Industry, Mining and Trade Minister Mohammadreza Nematzadeh and his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Shia 'Al Sudani on Sunday.</span></p> <p dir="LTR"><span>In the signing ceremony, Iranian minister said Iran is determined to expand its economic and trade ties with Iraq.</span></p> <p dir="LTR"><span>As Mehr news agency reported, Nematzadeh also noted that lacking of banking relations between the two countries has imposed serious problems on both sides’ private sectors.</span></p> <p dir="LTR"><span> “Despite the agreement which the two countries’ central banks made last year, there has not been any progress in this regard,” he added.</span></p> <p dir="LTR"><span>Al Sudani for his part expressed his country’s eagerness for cooperating with Iran in various areas especially gas imports.</span></p> <p dir="LTR"><span>He also discussed the establishment of five industrial parks in border areas between the two countries.</span></p>