Iraqi President calls on Arabs to invest in Iraq
The Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid during his meeting with Arab ambassadors. Photo: Iraqi Presidency
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, called on Arab countries to invest in Iraq, during a meeting with ambassadors of Arab countries in Baghdad, according to a press statement issued by the Iraqi Presidency.
“Iraq has promising investment opportunities, but we need to rehabilitate the infrastructure and should cooperate with Arab countries to create an investment environment in Iraq, and we need bilateral and tripartite cooperation with the Arab brothers in this field,” Rashid said.
“We hope to approve the general budget that has not been approved for three years within the short coming period. The delay in approving the general budget caused delays in the completion of major projects,” Rashid explained.
The Iraqi President called on the ambassadors to encourage companies in their countries to invest in Iraq, the statement elaborated.
Rashid also indicated that the security situation in Iraq is stable, but the media did not clearly deliver this image to the public, and called on the ambassadors to deliver the true image of Iraq and the safety in its cities, the statement mentioned.
The Arab ambassadors confirmed the keenness and desire of their countries to expand the horizons of cooperation with Iraq to serve the interests of all parties.
The Ambassador of the UAE indicated that his country is keen to strengthen the relations with Iraq, stressing that there are companies ready to work in Iraq.
The Syrian Ambassador spoke about his government’s optimism that Iraq will have a role in improving Arab relations, and that the Iraqi government will move forward with the steps it took.
The Saudi and Kuwaiti ambassadors addressed the importance of investing in Iraq and the need to work towards an investment protection agreement to motivate investors to start direct steps to work.
The Saudi Ambassador emphasized that the economy became a substitute for the use of military force, indicating the need for cooperation and facilitation of procedures to develop investments and to benefit from the available opportunities.
The Lebanese ambassador emphasized the importance of supporting the private sector, which needs a real partnership with the public sector.