UN delegation hails Basra’s economic development

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: The chairman of Basra Investment Commission (BIC) met the United Nations‘ delegation headed by the vice-representative of the secretary general of the United Nations in Iraq Christine McNab, according to a BIC statement. “They discussed investment in Basra and how to develop the private sector and infrastructure projects as well as training and developing the local labors to work together with the foreign companies,” said the statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “Basra now is much better than before and is witnessing a remarkable improvement in its security situation and investment the matter that encourages the foreign companies to work with the private sector,” the statement quoted McNab as saying. The coordinator of the U.N. Delegation, Jonathan Robinson, said that,” Basra can be considered as better than the other Iraqi governorates although there are some violations of rules but we hope that it takes a role in the economic development process so as to be the best place for investment”. The statement revealed the main problems and obstacles facing the investment opportunities like the belonging of some land lots to the ministry of oil and the employment of foreign labors. In addition to the mass media that affects negatively on the private sector. “The security situation in Basra is stable and many foreign companies have opened offices in Basra and started their works after obtaining investment licenses,” the statement concluded. SH (S)/SR 368