An Argentine trade delegation has begun talks in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, aimed at increasing trade under the United Nations food for oil scheme.

The delegation's leader, Marcelo Avogadro, said after meeting Iraq's Trade Minister Muhammad Mahdi that Argentina was hoping to export food and agricultural products to Iraq, and possibly open a commercial office there.

The two-day visit is the first of its kind by a delegation from Argentina, which sent ships and troops as part of the American-led alliance forces during the 1991 Gulf conflict.