EVANS IRAQ VISIT HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS IN RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS
Iraqi Optimism Outweighs Isolated Violence
BAGHDAD – US Commerce Secretary Don Evans today met with Baghdad
University students, business leaders, local officials and women
entrepreneurs to discuss the economic development made since the
liberation of Iraq. Following his meetings Evans held a press conference
where he highlighted Iraqi successes after decades of corruption
and misrule.
“I
am pleased to report that Iraq is making progress,” Evans
said during the conference. “Iraq’s economic potential
has barely been tapped and we are helping to meet that potential.
The country’s strong entrepreneurial tradition has manifested
itself in the markets and business centers across Iraq since the
liberation.”
Evans
reminded attendees that a stable, democratic and prosperous Iraq
would be an example of freedom’s power throughout the Middle
East.
“The
goal of our coalition is to help the Iraqi people build a stable
and prosperous country that will help Iraq become a partner in the
global economy,” Evans said. “We will work side by side
with Iraqi businesses and entrepreneurs to lay the foundation of
a free economy and we will not rest until the work is done.”
On
Wednesday, Evans will unveil a new Iraqi currency known as the ‘new
Iraqi dinar.’ The new Iraqi dinar will create a single currency
that will be used throughout all of Iraq and create a reliable monetary
system for future foreign investment.
In
addition, he is expected to meet with US troops, members of the
Baghdad government and industry leaders.
Evans’
trip coincides with the work of the Commerce Department’s
Iraq Reconstruction Task Force. The task force assists U.S. companies
interested in reconstruction and commercial opportunities in Iraq.
Chaired
by Deputy Assistant Secretary Kevin Murphy, the Task Force has developed
a one-stop, comprehensive web site resource (www.export.gov/iraq)
where U.S. companies can receive clear, accurate, and timely information
about Iraq reconstruction, the evolving commercial environment in
Iraq, and potential business opportunities. It also provides web
links to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, other U.S.
Government agencies, and reconstruction prime contractors and known
subcontractors.
The
Task Force hotline (1-866-352-IRAQ) provides U.S. companies with
guidance and business counseling on how businesses can get involved
in the reconstruction effort. The task force also developed a database
of U.S. and foreign companies interested in participating in Iraq
reconstruction, to which industry-specific opportunities can be
selectively forwarded.