April 01, 2007
$100bn trade prospects in Rebuild Iraq show
By Sabihuddin Ghausi
KARACHI, March 31: Jordanian capital Amman is being marketed as a window to enter war-torn Iraq market where $100 billion business prospects can be explored by Pakistani businessmen by participating in a ``Rebuild Iraq 2007ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ exhibition to be held from May 7 to 10.
The US commerce department is the main support behind the rebuild Iraq exhibition that was first held in Kuwait, but is now being organised at Amman for last three years where as many as 800,000 Iraqis are living as refugees and importers and suppliers of a variety of items from all over the world for their home country.
ââ¬ÅAbout 10 per cent of Iraqis in Amman are businessmen,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ informed Mr Yousif Abdul Rehman, the General Manager of TIM Marketing Industry and Trading Company.
Mr Yousif was a civil servant and served as director-general in the Iraqi ministry of trade before coming to Amman after the bloody turmoil enveloped his country. Iraqi businessmen in Amman have formed Iraqi Business Council to negotiate with the governments for facilities.
ââ¬ÅWe appreciate the security concern of businessmen from all over the world, including that from Pakistan, to directly explore business prospects in Iraq. Amman is, therefore, the hub of Iraq- related business activities,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ informed Mr Turki A. Alakisi , the chairman of Al-Qabas group of Iraqi companies now operating from Amman.
For the first time, a delegation of eight Amman-based Iraqi businessmen is participating in the three-day Expo Pakistan-2007 that was inaugurated on Friday by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
Shahid Bhatti, a Pakistani by origin, represents Lebanon-based International Fairs Promotion (IFP), and has come from Saudi Arabia to coordinate with Pakistanis.
But Mr Turki A Alakisi was a bit uncomfortable as his four-day stay in the city is packed with all conducted itineraries rather than giving visiting Iraqi businessmen some allowance to move freely and meet on their own with Pakistani businessmen.
Visa problems for dislocated Iraqis are there, but thanks to Pakistanââ¬â¢s recently appointed envoy in Amman, Mr Akhtar Tufail, the delegation members were issued visas and travel documents.
Now there is a proposal to open a regional office of Iraqi Business Council in Karachi to facilitate travel and visas as trade and business of Pakistan grows with Iraq.
Dr Sammy H Yasin, chairman of Al-Kanaa Company estimates a minimum volume of $4 billion trade prospects with his country that may include food items and medicines.
But his main area, he pointed out, was to look for construction industry equipment, and machines and parts needed in oil and gas exploration and transmission and supply.
ââ¬ÅThe reconstruction of Iraq is a hugely ambitious undertakingââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ says an official document of the IFP while indicating the total cost at $100 billion.
``It is fraught with dangers and uncertaintiesââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢, the document declares in unambiguous terms while making it clear that participation in such a venture demands determination.
But despites these difficulties, the process of rebuilding Iraq, the document claims, is progressing.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is participating in the Rebuild Iraq fair in Amman next May and has offered 60 per cent subsidy in participation fees.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan informed Pakistan businesses that Rebuild Iraq fair in 2006 at Amman proved a big success where over 13,000 traders visited and business deals of $300 million concluded.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/01/ebr2.htm
$100bn trade prospects in Rebuild Iraq show
By Sabihuddin Ghausi
KARACHI, March 31: Jordanian capital Amman is being marketed as a window to enter war-torn Iraq market where $100 billion business prospects can be explored by Pakistani businessmen by participating in a ``Rebuild Iraq 2007ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ exhibition to be held from May 7 to 10.
The US commerce department is the main support behind the rebuild Iraq exhibition that was first held in Kuwait, but is now being organised at Amman for last three years where as many as 800,000 Iraqis are living as refugees and importers and suppliers of a variety of items from all over the world for their home country.
ââ¬ÅAbout 10 per cent of Iraqis in Amman are businessmen,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ informed Mr Yousif Abdul Rehman, the General Manager of TIM Marketing Industry and Trading Company.
Mr Yousif was a civil servant and served as director-general in the Iraqi ministry of trade before coming to Amman after the bloody turmoil enveloped his country. Iraqi businessmen in Amman have formed Iraqi Business Council to negotiate with the governments for facilities.
ââ¬ÅWe appreciate the security concern of businessmen from all over the world, including that from Pakistan, to directly explore business prospects in Iraq. Amman is, therefore, the hub of Iraq- related business activities,ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ informed Mr Turki A. Alakisi , the chairman of Al-Qabas group of Iraqi companies now operating from Amman.
For the first time, a delegation of eight Amman-based Iraqi businessmen is participating in the three-day Expo Pakistan-2007 that was inaugurated on Friday by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
Shahid Bhatti, a Pakistani by origin, represents Lebanon-based International Fairs Promotion (IFP), and has come from Saudi Arabia to coordinate with Pakistanis.
But Mr Turki A Alakisi was a bit uncomfortable as his four-day stay in the city is packed with all conducted itineraries rather than giving visiting Iraqi businessmen some allowance to move freely and meet on their own with Pakistani businessmen.
Visa problems for dislocated Iraqis are there, but thanks to Pakistanââ¬â¢s recently appointed envoy in Amman, Mr Akhtar Tufail, the delegation members were issued visas and travel documents.
Now there is a proposal to open a regional office of Iraqi Business Council in Karachi to facilitate travel and visas as trade and business of Pakistan grows with Iraq.
Dr Sammy H Yasin, chairman of Al-Kanaa Company estimates a minimum volume of $4 billion trade prospects with his country that may include food items and medicines.
But his main area, he pointed out, was to look for construction industry equipment, and machines and parts needed in oil and gas exploration and transmission and supply.
ââ¬ÅThe reconstruction of Iraq is a hugely ambitious undertakingââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ says an official document of the IFP while indicating the total cost at $100 billion.
``It is fraught with dangers and uncertaintiesââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢, the document declares in unambiguous terms while making it clear that participation in such a venture demands determination.
But despites these difficulties, the process of rebuilding Iraq, the document claims, is progressing.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is participating in the Rebuild Iraq fair in Amman next May and has offered 60 per cent subsidy in participation fees.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan informed Pakistan businesses that Rebuild Iraq fair in 2006 at Amman proved a big success where over 13,000 traders visited and business deals of $300 million concluded.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/01/ebr2.htm
