Secretarial Visit to Middle East February 2008

Gutierrez Travels to Baghdad to Promote Private Sector Growth and Participate in U.S.-Iraqi Business Dialogue

Baghdad (Feb. 9)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today met with Iraqi and U.S. business leaders to collaborate on ways to strengthen Iraq’s economy and to build upon recent security gains that have resulted from the U.S. troop surge. “There is no better time than now for economic liberalization and the growth of the Iraqi private sector,” Gutierrez said. “We are committed to working with our Iraqi counterparts to attract private investment into the country because an economically prosperous Iraq will advance hope and peace in Iraq.” (Release) (Remarks)