U.S. Chamber Hosts Iraqi Prime Minister to Highlight Investment Opportunities in Iraq

'Time has come to begin shifting from security to prosperity,' Donohue says

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Iraq Business Initiative today hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, U.S. National Security Advisor General James L. Jones (Ret.), and the Chairman of the Iraq National Investment Commission, Dr. Sami Al-Araji to highlight the economic opportunities for U.S. businesses in Iraq.

"While we must remain vigilant against violence in Iraq, the time has come to begin shifting our focus from security to prosperity," said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber, during opening remarks of the event hosted at the Chamber in conjunction with the Embassy of Iraq and the departments of Commerce and State. "Iraq must rebuild and strengthen its economy to achieve lasting peace and prosperity. The U.S. business community wants to be a partner in this effort."

In his remarks, Prime Minister Al-Maliki described the strong relationship between Iraq and the U.S. and spoke optimistically about the days and months ahead, calling this a valuable time to develop an even stronger bond, both economically and commercially. He also announced a forthcoming U.S.–Iraq Business and Investment Summit to be held at the U.S. Chamber on October 20 – 21, 2009. This two-day conference will be the first of its kind on American soil. It will highlight the enormous amount of progress Iraq has achieved over the past six years and will promote Iraq as an investment destination.

In the past three years, the Chamber's Iraq Business Initiative has been the leading force behind the dialogue about economic development in Iraq. In the past year, the Chamber has taken two trade delegations to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and two more to Baghdad. The Initiative's upcoming August 2 – 6 trip to Iraq will be its third to the KRG since last year.

More information about the investment climate in Iraq is available at:
/assets/international/09ibiupdate.pdf

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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