Jordan Times
Tuesday, July 6, 2004
'Rebuilding Iraq 2005'
to be held in April
By Sahar Aloul
AMMAN — Jordan is expected to host the largest international trade fair for the
reconstruction of Iraq, Rebuilding Iraq 2005, next April, according to
organisers.
The exhibition, which will take place in Amman,
is poised to give local, regional and international suppliers the opportunity to
showcase their products to Iraqi businesspeople, regional and international
contractors and subcontractors, as well as representatives from the Coalition
Provisional Authority (CPA) and the Iraq Development Fund.
“The rebuilding of Iraq is an international task and challenge that requires
tremendous efforts. Demand for the full range of infrastructure supplies and
equipment, services and technologies for key economic and industrial sectors has
been estimated to exceed $150 billion over the next 10 years,” Fadi Qaddoura of
Riyadh Exhibition Company, one of the organisers, told a press conference on
Monday.
He added that the exhibition would help bring together the main contractors and
subcontractors, tasked with executing some 2,500 infrastructure projects in
Iraq, with regional and international suppliers to fulfill these countrywide
projects.
Organiser Albert Aoun, head of the Beirut-based International Fairs and
Promotions Group, said that heavy demand from participants in the Rebuilding
Iraq 2004 exhibition, held in Kuwait last January, prompted the two companies to
organise a second event in Jordan.
“We chose Jordan for its security, proximity to Iraq, convenient customs
regulations, simple visa procedures for entry of Iraqi and international
businesspeople, hotels and resorts, developed service sector and attractive
tourist sites and rich heritage,” Aoun explained.
Moreover, he said that the timing of the conference, scheduled to come after the
scheduled Iraqi elections next January, “is very suitable,” adding, “The
exhibition will serve the needs of the new Iraqi government.”
Several sectors will be represented at the show including: Building and
construction, oil and gas, electricity, ICT, agriculture, food, health,
environment, hospitality, packaging and printing, education, industrial
machinery and security.
A two-day conference addressing all major issues concerning businesspeople
interested in investing in Iraq will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition.
According to organisers, high-profile Iraqi officials, main contractors and CPA
representatives will address the conference.
Organisers, including the local Expo Jordan, are expecting a high turnout
similar to that of the first exhibition held in Kuwait, which saw over 1,400
companies represented from over 48 countries.