Maliki calls for strategic partnership with Washington

ARBIL / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called on Tuesday for a strategic partnership with the U.S., urging American companies to invest in his country. In his opening address of the U.S.-Iraqi investment conference, al-Maliki said “three years ago, violence spread throughout Iraq, but now Iraqis can move freely securely in Iraq and businessmen can work anywhere in Iraq.” The investment conference that gets underway Tuesday is a key part of forging cooperation between the two countries to build Iraq’s economy. The two-day conference was held with the participation of scores of businessmen and companies’ representatives. “The security file topped the Iraqi government’s priorities in the past days, but we concentrate on developing the economy and reconstructing the country,” he noted. He highlighted the increase in the Iraqi per capita income from $1800 in 2006 too $4000 in 2009 as well as the continuity of the development despite the global crisis. “There are high investment opportunities in different Iraqi sectors, mainly in housing, industry and agriculture sectors,” he explained. We managed to beef up security and we seek to render our efforts for the development of the local economy a success. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday encouraged US businesses to invest in Iraq, saying that country’s potential is “palpable”. Addressing the two-day Iraq Investment and Business Conference in Washington, Clinton touted investment opportunities in Iraq. “Iraq sits at a global crossroads, and it is a country that, because of its religious and ethnic diversity, has a great potential for connecting up far beyond its own borders in terms of investments and other kinds of opportunities,” she told the business forum. The conference, organized by Washington, is aimed at facilitating contacts between US and Iraqi companies, businessmen and regional leaders from around Iraq. “For decades, Iraq has been disconnected from the global economy because of war and sanctions. Now we see the potential. And it is one that is based in broad economic growth, fueled by but not limited to oil production,” said Clinton. “And we believe strongly that economic development will go hand-in-hand with an increasing and very clear commitment to democracy,” she added. At the same time, Clinton underscored the importance of Iraq creating “safe and attractive conditions” for international investors. Clinton announced that the State Department was launching a US-Iraqi internship program in January, which will place young Iraqi in technology start-ups in the United States, exposing them to “an entrepreneurial spirit” and helping them develop skills to use at home. SH (I)/SR 1