Wednesday, May 09, 2007
$300 bn. needed for Iraq reconstruction
Reconstruction
(Iraq Directory) - An Iraqi lawmaker has urged foreign firms attending an international reconstruction fair in Jordan to help rebuild his battered country. "Iraq needs more than 300 billion dollars for reconstruction in all fields -- oil, economy, industry, agriculture, infrastructure," said Yunadem Kanna, a member of Iraq's parliamentary commission on the economy, investment and reconstruction.
"Iraq is a huge market that needs expertise and technology in order to take its seat among world countries," he said at the opening of the 4th Rebuild Iraq international trade fair which lasts through Thursday. "There are security problems but we have safe areas in the north and the south, and there is an investment law that gives foreign firms many benefits," he said.
More than 700 Arab companies and foreign firms from Iran, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and Saudi Arabia are at the fair. Observers believe Iraq has great potential because of its abundant oil and gas resources. Last week the leaders of more than 50 countries agreed at an international conference at Sharm al-Sheikh to fund Iraq's reconstruction if the embattled nation meets certain economic benchmarks.
Labels: International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition, Iraq reconstruction, Jordan, Yunadem Kanna
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition opens in Amman
Trade
(Voices of Iraq) - The fourth International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition, organized by the International Fairs & Promotions group, opened on Monday in al-Abdali project in Amman. "The main aim of organizing this exhibition is to contribute to rebuild Iraq through facilitating meetings between Iraq businessmen, companies and international companies," said Jordanian Industry and Trade Minister Salem Khazalah during a joint press conference held today in Amman.
"Jordan is seeking to be an economic gate for Iraq," said Khazalah noting that the intensive participation of exhibitors from 40 Arab and foreign countries in the event would indicate a desire to establish a real partnership with Iraqi businessmen and traders for rebuilding Iraq.
The minister pointed out in the press conference that was also attended by Head of Iraqi parliament's Investment Committee Younadem Kena and Iraqi Deputy Industry Minister Mohammad Abdallah Al-Ani, that this vast participation shows the world's interest in rebuilding the country.
"The large number of companies participating in the exhibition proves that exhibitions play an important role in attracting companies to invest in the country," he continued. "Those who oppose the new Iraq are trying to envision a black picture for this country which is incorrect," Iraqi lawmaker and Head of the parliament's investment committee Younadem Kena said in the press conference.
"We do not say that everything is fine: but more than 60 percent of Iraq's territory are safe and ready for investment and reconstruction," he added. "Jordan has been Iraq' way to communicate with the world since 1980s till now," the Iraqi official also said, noting that such exhibitions would make Iraqis able to communicate with the world and with the international companies.
He urged foreign companies to invest in Iraq. The Iraqi parliament approved last December the investment law, which allows both Iraqis and foreigners to invest in the country. "This free system allows 4,000 companies registered in Iraq's Kurdistan region to enter into the Iraqi market, in addition to other companies in the south," the Iraqi official highlighted.
"Jordan is seeking to be an economic gate for Iraq," said Khazalah noting that the intensive participation of exhibitors from 40 Arab and foreign countries in the event would indicate a desire to establish a real partnership with Iraqi businessmen and traders for rebuilding Iraq.
The minister pointed out in the press conference that was also attended by Head of Iraqi parliament's Investment Committee Younadem Kena and Iraqi Deputy Industry Minister Mohammad Abdallah Al-Ani, that this vast participation shows the world's interest in rebuilding the country.
"The large number of companies participating in the exhibition proves that exhibitions play an important role in attracting companies to invest in the country," he continued. "Those who oppose the new Iraq are trying to envision a black picture for this country which is incorrect," Iraqi lawmaker and Head of the parliament's investment committee Younadem Kena said in the press conference.
"We do not say that everything is fine: but more than 60 percent of Iraq's territory are safe and ready for investment and reconstruction," he added. "Jordan has been Iraq' way to communicate with the world since 1980s till now," the Iraqi official also said, noting that such exhibitions would make Iraqis able to communicate with the world and with the international companies.
He urged foreign companies to invest in Iraq. The Iraqi parliament approved last December the investment law, which allows both Iraqis and foreigners to invest in the country. "This free system allows 4,000 companies registered in Iraq's Kurdistan region to enter into the Iraqi market, in addition to other companies in the south," the Iraqi official highlighted.
Labels: Amman, International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition, Mohammad Abdallah Al-Ani, Younadem Kena
