Speaking in the national parliament last week as a delegation of Japanese officials visited Baghdad, Mr Hammoudi also called for the two countries to cooperate in launching joint exhibitions to promote Iraq's dilapidated oil and gas industry.

Aswat al-Iraq reports that the MP also urged Japanese officials, including the ambassador to Baghdad, to act quickly upon resolutions made during recent state talks.

Last month, Mr Hammoudi led a delegation of MPs to Tokyo to discuss issues such as trade links and development of the Iraq's oil and gas industry.

Iraq has also recently approved a tender bid put forward by Chinese state energy giants Sinopec and China National Petroleum Corp to begin drilling in the Kirkuk field, in the country's oil-rich northern region.

Speaking to the Independent this month, an unnamed representative from Royal Dutch Shell said that the company has made an approach to both Chinese firms to discuss opportunities for a joint-venture in the region.

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