Iraq’s oil exports rise

Iraq’s oil production and exports have risen to their highest levels since the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion, the Oil Ministry said Monday.

The country’s exports reached 2.11 million barrels a day in March while the total output stood at about 2.5 million barrels a day, spokesman Assem Jihad told The Associated Press.
The country plans to boost oil output to 3 million barrels a day by the end of 2008 and 4.5 million barrels a day by end of 2013.

Iraq hopes to earn about $70 billion in oil revenues this year if crude oil prices remain high and the country maintains stability in major producing areas.

AP