A Report by Youssef Salman: The capital, Baghdad, hosted the launch ceremony of Toyota “Land Cruiser Prado” 2024, with the participation of the Japanese Ambassador to Iraq and the attendance of a number of parliamentary figures, representatives of ministries, diplomatic missions and community activities, the President of Toyota Iraq and the general managers of TOYOTA IRAQ agencies.
Japanese Ambassador Futoshi Matsumoto said in a statement to the correspondent of the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA), “The Iraqi government is very interested in the presence of Japanese companies working inside Iraq, including Toyota, and we have also noticed active parliamentary and local interest in opening up to the Japanese market to enhance cooperation in order to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries,” considering this a real turning point in strengthening bilateral relations between Iraq and Japan, as well as consolidating the feelings of friendliness and friendship exchanged between the Iraqi
and Japanese peoples.
He added, “Japanese investment in Iraq is very important because the Iraqi market is large and effective, and we can benefit from the expertise of Japanese companies such as Toyota in Iraq, by providing Iraq with the cars it needs, as well as contributing to providing field of training opportunities for Iraqi partners.”
The Japanese Ambassador stressed that “the launch of the new Land Cruiser-Prado 250 in the capital, Baghdad, is an important qualitative event, because the history of the Land Cruiser is the history of Toyota itself for more than 70 years, since Toyota launched its first Land Cruiser called “Toyota PG” in 1951 when the Japanese Reserve Police Force, which later developed into the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, asked Toyota to develop a car on the steep hill of Mount Fuji.”
He said, “This new car reminds me of the original solidity of Toyota cars with advanced levels of comfort and performance with efficiency and ultimate elegance,” indicating that “this car was designed
for Iraq because it symbolizes everything that Iraqis need, such as durability, reliability and safety.”
In turn, the Parliamentary Electricity and Energy Committee confirmed that Iraq will become a fertile field for investments by solid international companies.
Committee member MP Amanj Harki said in a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency / NINA / that “Iraq has many investment opportunities and a mission in various governorates, especially the sectors of industry, agriculture, health, education, transportation and renewable energy.
He added, “The Iraqi investment arena is open to the work of all foreign and Arab companies, and the recent visits of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to Washington and Europe will open the door wide for the work of these companies.”
The member of the parliamentary committee expected that Iraq would be a fertile field for investments by various foreign companies during the next stage, and this would achieve great economic benefits for the country, contributing to
the development of all sectors, as there would be joint opportunities among foreign companies and governmental or private companies and the Iraqi private sector.
For his part, the Chairman of Toyota Iraq, Sardar Al-Baybani, confirmed that there are many work programs and important plans carried out by the company inside Iraq.
Al-Baybani said, in a statement to the correspondent of the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA /, that “it is a great joy that Iraq, like other countries, is qualified to receive everything new and good from modern products and technologies, and this is a correct step for our investments in work to prepare Iraqi youth for the next stages.”
He announced the entry of the Toyota Prado car for the first time in Iraq with a new look, different from the current model, indicating that “Toyota invested a lot to manufacture this car, and ensured that it suits the Iraqi atmosphere, Iraqi fuel and the taste of the Iraqi user.”
Source: National Iraqi News Agency