Planning Minister calls Brazilian firms to invest in Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq’s Planning Minister has called in a meeting with the Brazilian Ambassador to Baghdad Bernardo Dizvido on Tuesday, on the Brazilian companies to invest in his country, similar to other international companies.   “Planning Minister, Ali Youssif al-Shukri, has confirmed during the meeting on necessity for boosting joint cooperation between Iraq and Brazil, in order to implement Iraq’s reconstruction projects in all fields, including the infrastructure, economized housing, bridges, intersections, as well as the rehabilitation of roads, agricultural, oil and health projects,” a Ministry statement stressed.   The Minister said that he would pay a visit for Brazil, accompanied by the Iraqi Health Minister, Majid Hamid Amin, to study the heath experience and health planning in Brazil and means of making use of them, through their implementation in Iraq.   “Investment in Iraq has become safe for the companies working in the national market, especially that Iraq is considered on of the few states that grants land for foreign investments,” Minister Shukri said, confirming the Iraqi government’s wish to activate and strengthen economic relations between both countries, on bases of joint interest.   The Iraqi Minister spoke about the investment opportunities in Iraq, pointing out that his government considers Iraq’s land as a fertile land for investment in different fields and represents open opportunities for foreign companies to enter in the Iraqi market, calling on the Brazilian companies to visit Iraq and invest in it, according to its National Investment Commission’s programs.   The Brazilian Ambassador on his part had highly assessed the major role of the Iraqi Planning Ministry, being the party involved in cooperation with the International Community, regarding the issues related for Iraq.   “We are ambitious to continue our discussions with the Ministry to achieve joint projects and cooperate between the Brazilian and Iraqi governments,” the Ambassador said.   He said that “Brazil is able to develop the agriculture in Iraq, because it possesses huge potentials in this regard,” adding that “there are several agricultural projects, being implemented by Brazilian companies in Iraq, related to the development and improvement of seeds and modern irrigation methods.   SKH (TF)/SR 502