Iraq’s Ambassador to Russia, Abdul Karim Hashim Mustafa, said Tuesday that Russian companies are showing strong interest in operating in Iraq across several sectors, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, agriculture, and paper production.

Mustafa said there are broad prospects for Russian companies to enter the Iraqi market, particularly through the localization of pharmaceutical industries. He noted that several companies are prepared to operate in Iraq and that efforts are underway to invite a number of them to invest in the sector.

“There is excellent readiness on the Russian side to work in Iraq,” Mustafa said, adding that discussions are currently underway regarding the Samarra Pharmaceutical Plant, which was originally established with Russian expertise.

He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in paper production, noting that Russia is a major producer due to its extensive forest resources. He pointed to additional opportunities in agriculture, given Russia’s position as a major wheat producer and its expertise in fertilizers and agricultural pesticides.

Mustafa reiterated the strong interest among Russian companies in operating in Iraq but acknowledged that sanctions remain a challenge. He said the two sides need to identify appropriate mechanisms to address the issue.

Regarding education, Mustafa said a large number of Iraqi students are currently studying at Russian universities, with the number continuing to grow. He added that the Russian government awards dozens of scholarships to Iraqi students each year for postgraduate studies.