| Rebuild iraq kuwati trade fair reconstruction { January 19 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3411051.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3411051.stm
Last Updated: Monday, 19 January, 2004, 19:23 GMT 'Rebuild Iraq' trade fair opens A five-day trade fair focusing on the reconstruction of Iraq has opened in neighbouring Kuwait. It brings together over 1,300 companies from almost 50 countries with Iraqi and regional traders and developers.
The exhibition, in Mishref, is taking place against a backdrop of fierce disagreements over contracts in Iraq.
The US has barred firms from countries that opposed the war from gaining one of 26 prime contracts that amount to more than $18bn (£10bn).
Rebuild Iraq 2004 will showcase a full range of products, services and systems that will be needed in the country over the coming years.
Equipment for hospitals, security and water treatment, food, and repair and maintenance machinery for the oil industry are among the exhibits.
Outrage
Iraq's Housing and Construction Minister Baqer Jabr al-Zubaidi said Iraq had $100bn (£56bn) worth of investment opportunities for the private sector in the next decade.
"The $100bn could be invested... in building houses, roads, bridges and airports," he said in a speech on the opening day.
Organisers said the event had received the largest amount of international support for any trade event in the region.
It comes a month after US President George W Bush said countries such as France and Germany who opposed sending troops to the war in Iraq did not deserve to be part of the reconstruction effort.
There was outrage from those countries, and criticism from the United Nations, over the move.
France will be represented at the Kuwait trade fair by just three companies. Germany, however, will send 50.
War allies Britain and Italy are sending 100 and 112 companies respectively.
Iran has the largest contingent with 130 firms, followed by host Kuwait - a victim of Iraqi occupation in 1990-91 - with 119.
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