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Rebuild Iraq 2006 Opens In AmmanAMMAN (AP)--Even as violence rages on in Iraq, a conference billed as the largest-ever aimed at rebuilding the country opened yesterday in Jordan, with participants saying Iraq offers plenty of business opportunities.
The weeklong “Rebuild Iraq 2006” drew some 20,000 businesspeople and more than 1,000 exhibitors from 50 countries – all in search of ways to enter the Iraqi market or increase their business there.
Iraqi Industry Minister Osama Abdulaziz Al Najafi said that his new government’s “first priority is to achieve security, but at the same time it must push forward its economy in order to combat terrorism.”
In keeping with the conference’s theme, the US Agency for International Development announced an initiative combining public and private sector expertise to develop Iraq’s information technology and communications industries.
US-based tech giants, including Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Oracle and Intel have joined forces with Iraqi government, business and educational organisations to promote the use of information systems and improve technical skills in Iraq.
USAID’s Mission Director in Iraq, Dawn Liberi, hailed the alliance, saying the projects “will help improve schools, create jobs and enhance productivity.”
She added that Iraqi women and children will especially benefit from training programmes that include improved university curricula for computer programmers, low-cost Internet access for schools and community centers and an online employment database in Arabic. But organisers and participants alike said this third annual exhibition made a subtle switch this year from public reconstruction projects to private sector development.
“It’s saying we’re looking to export our products. We are looking to find partners. We’re looking to sell and develop through the private sector,” said Bill Crawford, who works in the commercial department at the US Embassy in Baghdad.
His colleague, commercial counselor Andrew Wylegala, said 100 Iraqi firms came to Amman to do “targeted business matchmaking” not just with the 40 participating US companies, but also with numerous other participants, including firms from Turkey and Jordan – the largest contingents present – covering a range of business from engineering to education.
Even the governor of the restive Sunni Anbar province was in attendance, along with 100 entrepreneurs from Fallujah.
US officials said they were also encouraging private sector development in Iraq’s provinces – a new initiative by the US State and Defense Departments.
Democrats Are Urged To Voice Dissent On IraqSen. Russell Feingold, a potential antiwar candidate in the 2008 presidential field, urged fellow Democrats yesterday to show more backbone in challenging President Bush on Iraq.
"We must get out of our political foxholes and be willing to clearly and specifically point out what a strategic error the Iraq invasion has been," Feingold (Wis.) told a National Press Club audience.
