Iraq looks to diversify economy into non-oil industries

[BBbucks]

http://www.aina.org/news/20050812004542.htm

Good article…haven't seen it posted yet. Explains a bit about the behind the scenes business that has been going on. :)

[BIG WAVE]

A semi-recent article, but in the scheme of economic conditions this could make sense.

It's high time we opened some Wal-Mart stores in Iraq


Since 1996, Wal-Mart has opened 47 stores in China, suggesting that the Asian giant is not only a source for low-cost goods, but also an enormous market. More importantly, Wal-Mart is betting on political stability and economic freedom in China

Only 8 percent of global fatalities from terrorism were perpetrated by terrorists originating in the free world.

"This suggests that the expansion of democracy and freedom is an important component in the international effort to rid the world of the terrorist scourge," said Freedom House analyst Adrian Karatnycky. It also suggests that the faster a Wal-Mart opens in Baghdad, the better.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/09AFA09075001925862570550032472D?OpenDocument

[BBbucks]

A semi-recent article, but in the scheme of economic conditions this could make sense.

It's high time we opened some Wal-Mart stores in Iraq


Since 1996, Wal-Mart has opened 47 stores in China, suggesting that the Asian giant is not only a source for low-cost goods, but also an enormous market. More importantly, Wal-Mart is betting on political stability and economic freedom in China

Only 8 percent of global fatalities from terrorism were perpetrated by terrorists originating in the free world.

"This suggests that the expansion of democracy and freedom is an important component in the international effort to rid the world of the terrorist scourge," said Freedom House analyst Adrian Karatnycky. It also suggests that the faster a Wal-Mart opens in Baghdad, the better.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/09AFA09075001925862570550032472D?OpenDocument

IMO- If they are looking to open a retail store in Iraq vs a manufacturing facility like they did in China-says to me that WalMart is looking for Iraq to become more of a consumer based economy vs manufacturing- this is another indication, IMO that they ARE looking to support a high peg so Iraq has the purchasing power to buy ready-made consumer goods from walmart stores instead of purchasing cheap raw materials & put people to work in their manuacturing facility then sell what they manufacture back to the US, like China does.

[arh777]

Commerce chief holds talks with Iraqi ambassador - Jordan
Jordan Times - 14/08/2005


AMMAN (Petra) — Jordan Chamber of Commerce Chairman Haidar Murad discussed on Saturday with Iraq's Ambassador Atta Abdul Wahab ways to boost bilateral economic and commercial relations. During the meeting, the two sides stressed the need to increase the volume of commercial exchange and launch joint investments. Last year, the Kingdom's exports to Iraq totalled around JD360 million while imports stood at JD46 million.

http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=103280