Iraq Development Program opens for business in Amman (28/06/05)

Over 100 senior representatives from Iraq’s public and private sector gathered in Amman today for Day One of the three-day Iraq Development Program summit.

The summit will host ministers, deputy ministers and director generals from key Iraqi industries such as agriculture, construction and housing, education, industry, technology, science and technology, telecommunications and water, as well as over 100 Iraqi companies.

The Iraqi delegations are looking to further their business relations with the rest of the world, with Jordan providing an ideal location for such an event with its close proximity, close trading relations – several leading Iraqi companies are based in Jordan - and a strong relationship with the western world.

The summit’s opening ceremony featured an address from H.E. Dr Abed Shakhanbeh, Iraqi Minister of State for Legal Affairs and Acting Minister of Industry & Trade, who reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to helping the development of Iraq and further its role as the ‘Gateway to Iraq’.

H.E. Dr Abed Shakhanbeh was followed by addresses from several of the Iraqi ministers in attendance, including His Excellency Dr Latif J. Radhid, Minister of Water Resources, His Excellency Abdel Falah Hassan, Minister of Education and Her Excellency Jowan Masum, Minister of Communications.

A press conference was held following the opening ceremony, where the ministers faced questions from the world’s media.

Copies of all of the ministerial speeches are available to read online.