The fourth edition of the leading annual Rebuild Iraq exhibition and conference was held again this year in Amman Jordan from May 7-10, 2007. 

This major exhibition for private sector development of Iraq resulted in multi-million dollar deals for participating businesses.  The event had more than 700 participating exhibitors from 40 countries.  It also benefited the 8,300 international visitors and 2,300 Iraqis who visited the show.   Notably, the number of participating companies and visitors witnessed a major drop this year, however, the reduced crowed was of the highest quality.  Companies participating in the event for the first time, whether Iraqi, American, or Jordanian where thrilled by the opportunities the event has opened deals worth millions of dollars are currently in the works.  While companies that have participated previously and are currently operating in Iraq believed that the event provided them with an unmatched opportunity to foster their relationships with their clients which otherwise would be difficult. As in previous years the event enjoyed full support of the Jordanian and Iraqi governments as well as other commissions and business associations in Iraq.  

Jordanian Minister of Industry and Trade, H.E. Salem Khazaa’leh, deputizing for Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakeet inaugurated the 4^th International Rebuild Iraq Exhibition on May 7, 2007 at the new Amman Exhibition Park.  Khazaa’leh accompanied by ambassadors of participating countries and top Iraqi and Jordanian officials toured the exhibition.  The 85 members Iraqi delegation included H.E. Minister Hariri, Iraq’s Minister of Industry and Minerals, H.E. Ali Baban, Minister of Planning, Mr. Yundamen Kanna, a member of Iraq’s parliamentary commission on the economy, investment and reconstruction to name a few. Mr. Kanna mentioned that 60% of areas in Iraq are safe, ready and welcoming to new investments. He also noted that Iraq needs a total investment in excess of USD 300 billion over the next ten years and that 40,000 international investment companies are currently operating in the North. Another much-welcomed visit of the exhibition was that of Major General Darryl Scott, Commanding General for Joint Contracting Command for Iraq and Afghanistan.

The new location was developed over 100,000 sq. m on the Queen Alia Airport road.  It has more than 24,000 sq. m. of exhibition halls and outdoor display areas of another 5,000 sq. m. with ample parking space that can accommodate more than 2,000 cars.

The show organizers hosted a few hundred Iraqi business visitors to facilitate match making with exhibitors.  The tabletop matchmaking event held on site, ran throughout the show featured an encouraging number of some 150 large and medium size Iraq companies from all sectors.

The Doing Business in Iraq Conference was another hit in its fourth edition. In cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce Jordan and the Jordanian Ministry of Planning the two day conference was held on May 8^th and 9^th, under the patronage of the H. E. Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and the participation of the H.E. Minister of Industry and Minerals Iraq, Minister of Planning in Iraq and Minister of Trade in the government of Kurdistan Province. In addition to a number of officials and international experts who discussed subjects related to rebuilding Iraq and the business environment in Iraq. 

The conference sessions discussed contracting, investments business opportunities currently available in Iraq whether from the Iraqi government or donor community.  The Ministry of Industry and Minerals held a session during which they highlighted the new role for the Ministry as the industrial reform engine for the government.  They are currently working on the Ministry’s disinvestment in SOEs and restructuring the Ministry.