Conference on development of alternatives to oil in Iraq begins

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The conference on development alternatives to oil started in Baghdad on Wednesday morning with the participation of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Planning Minister Ali Baban. Baban had said Tuesday (Feb. 24) that his ministry will hold a conference on Wednesday and Thursday to present a study to the government on finding development alternatives in Iraq. “The ministry invited academics, officials, experts and some foreign guests to discuss the sharp decline of oil revenues,” the minister said. Baban had said that decreasing Iraq’s dependence on oil and diversifying resources are topping the government’s agenda in the current stage. He called also for encouraging foreign investments and not to depend on oil as the only financial resource to the country. SH (P) 1