 |
| |
WEEKLY
SECTIONS |
 |
| |
|
 |
Baghdad International Fair opens its doors to investors |
| |
Updated at:
0905
PST, Monday, November 02, 2009 |
| |
BAGHDAD: The Baghdad International Fair opened its doors on Sunday for the first time since 2002 as Iraq searches for investors to rebuild its moribund economy after years of violence and sanctions.
The 10-day trade show follows investment conferences in Washington last month and London in May aimed at courting firms interested in doing business in Iraq, with another such meeting due in Berlin this month.
"We hope this fair will help us establish economic and commercial relations with different countries around the world, and we also want to allow our private companies to build links with their foreign counterparts," interim Trade Minister Safaldin al-Safi said at the opening.
Despite an international embargo following Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait, some 1,200 companies from 49 countries, mostly Arab states but also France and Germany, attended in 2002.
It was inaugurated by then vice-president Taher Yassin Ramadan, who has since been executed.
The fair's buildings were destroyed by aerial bombardment during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
This year, the 36th time the fair has been held, 396 countries from 32 countries are attending, according to Hashim Mohammed Hatem, head of the government agency that organised the event.
Neighbouring Iran has the most companies represented with 60, followed by Turkey with 36. France and Brazil also have a major presence with 35 and 20 firms respectively.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
ISSN 1563-9479 
