Iraq: Lessons Learned ConferenceBureau of Economic and Business AffairsBaghdad, Iraq September 21, 2003 On September 20-21, 2003, Ambassador Marek Belka of the Coalition Provisional Authority hosted a conference in Baghdad, Iraq that explored how lessons learned from recent European economic reforms can help Iraq manage its transition to a market economy. The select group of European experts from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the Slovak Republic included several former finance ministers who helped shape the economic transformation of Central Europe. They discussed privatization of state-owned enterprises, private sector development, fiscal policy, and building political consensus for reform with approximately 80 senior Iraqi officials. Ambassador Belka, who chaired the meeting, said, "Each central European country thought its situation was unique when it started its economic transformation, but over time they all realized there are many common themes. Borrowing from other countries' experiences makes sense and that is what we hope to do today." The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development jointly funded this conference. Coalition Provisional Authority photos. For captions and larger photos, please click on the thumbnail photos below. |