Washington (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi touted Iraq’s planned Energy City project and increased energy cooperation with the United States during a meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Friday as Baghdad attempted to entice American investment in vital infrastructure and the energy industry.

The conference, conducted in Washington after Al-Zaidi’s return from Houston, was on Iraq’s ambitions to enhance crude oil output, expand refining and petroleum processing capacity, and strengthen ties with US energy businesses.

Al-Zaidi said that Iraq is seeking long-term collaborations with the world’s major economies, notably the United States, in order to expedite economic growth and implement sophisticated technology in the country’s energy sector.

He renewed an invitation to US companies to invest in Iraq’s mining industry and the planned Energy City development on the Al-Faw Peninsula waterfront, as well as projects related to the Development Road corridor, a flagship transport and logistics initiative aimed at connecting the Gulf with Europe via Iraq.

According to a statement from the Iraqi prime minister’s office, Wright reiterated the United States’ support for Iraq’s economic growth and said that Washington will assist American firms interested in extending operations in the nation.

He also backed Iraq’s efforts to increase investment in related gas projects, end regular gas flaring, and enhance energy governance, including anti-corruption measures and ensuring that weapons stay under state control.

The meeting was the most recent in a series of engagements with US officials and companies during al-Zaidi’s visit, which has included discussions with energy majors in Houston and meetings with technology, industrial, and infrastructure firms in Washington as Iraq seeks to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment.