The U.S. LED lighting leader, Cree Lighting, has expressed interest in establishing a manufacturing facility in Iraq. The Iraqi Ministry of Planning revealed that Planning Minister Mohammed Ali Tamim met with a delegation from Cree Lighting to discuss potential collaboration in transferring advanced technology and setting up a factory in Iraq. The representatives from Cree Lighting expressed enthusiasm for entering the Iraqi market and investing in the country. They are exploring the feasibility of establishing LED lighting production lines within Iraq [4bc52376].
This development aligns with Iraq's efforts to attract investment and expand economic partnerships. The Iraqi government has been actively working to strengthen ties with the United States, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, industry, investment, and energy. The focus on gas has been a priority for Iraq. The meeting between Tamim and the Cree Lighting delegation follows the recent meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Originally expected to discuss the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq, the meeting shifted its focus to the situation in the region after Iran launched a missile and drone assault on Israel. U.S. forces based in Erbil were involved in countering Iran's attack. Iraq, which has been trying to stay out of regional tensions, has protested previous U.S. actions. However, tensions have since subsided, and talks on the future of the U.S.-led coalition have resumed. Iraq hopes to establish a timeline for reducing the presence of U.S. forces, which currently stands at 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in neighboring Syria as part of the coalition [20969989].