The Iraqi Water Resources Minister Abdul-Latif Jamal Rasheed has signed a contract with an unnamed Turkish firm to start the first stage of an irrigation project in Ninawa governorate.

“The project will improve production of strategic agricultural products in Iraq,” says Rasheed. He also says the project will cost about ID61.7bn ($50m).

On 6 October, Rasheed met the Canadian ambassador in Baghdad, Marguerite Hopper, to discuss ways of boosting co-operation in irrigation.

Rasheed wants to encourage Canadian irrigation specialists to take part in the reconstruction of Iraq and boost trade with Canada.