Iraq will host an international trade fair in Baghdad in March to try and attract investment to the country despite a precarious security situation.
Attacks targeting Westerners in Baghdad have deterred some foreign investors to postwar Iraq. But the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry said today it hoped to attract about 250 stands to "Destination Baghdad Expo" from March 1-4th.
"It became very clear to us very quickly that the Iraqi business community was anxious to connect with the outside world as free individuals," said Mr Raad Ommar, the head of the chamber, which was set up in Los Angeles in May and now has offices in Baghdad.
"A lot of people are asking why have DBX here in Baghdad - for me it is very clear, the answer is why not in Baghdad? . . . We wanted something in Baghdad to show the world it's safe and they are welcome here."
Mr Ommar told a news conference he expected half of the participants to be from Arab countries. He said Korean and Romanian companies had also shown interest and that invitations were being sent out in Germany.