PM calls on UAE companies to launch construction in Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has called for the settlement of the problems that hamper contracting operations with the UAE’s companies, in order to facilitate their chances for investment in Iraq, calling the related parties in both countries to end the contracting stages and begin building and reconstruction operations, agreed upon between both sides.   A statement by the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office, copy of which dropped in IraqiNews.com news agency on Wednesday, has reported that Maliki’s notes were addressed during his reception early in the day of UAE’s Ambassador to Baghdad, Abdullah Ibrahim al-Shihy.   The statement also stressed that Maliki had called during the reception for strengthening joint cooperation between both countries, renewing his call upon the UAE’s companies to invest and work in Iraq.   “Prime Minister Maliki has reaffirmed necessity to settle the questions and problems that hamper contracting processes, in order to facilitate the chances for investment, calling on the related parties in both countries to accelerate the closing of the contracting stages and begin the building and reconstruction operations in the projects concluded between both sides.   The statement quoted the UAE’s Ambassador as having confirmed “his country’s willingness to invest in Iraq and expand horizons of economic and trade cooperation between both countries.”   The Ambassador has explained that the level of trade exchange between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had been stepped up greatly over and differently, compared to the previous years, calling for the activation of the activity of the joint committee between both countries, stemming from the existence of willingness to hold contracts, especially in the field of protecting the investments and customs charges. SKH (TI)/SR 589