Can non-coalition countries trade with Iraq?

[mustamato]

I was under the impression that only coalition countries was allowed to
make cash in Iraq? However two Finnish businessmen was killed in
Baghdad this morning, on a trip to the Iraqi Electric power ministry, the
journey was arranged by the Finnish Technology Industries and represented
9 companies. The two killed men were representatives for Enston and Air-Ix,
which both are Finnish companies.

[tony6]

I guess Iraq is still not very safe place to go...

[ShadowNeo]

I think the situation was that the coalition countries had the "first pick" of contracts for the rebuilding of the country. As for trade with the new Iraq, it should be open to anyone.

[cut]

is that why we have two contracts both american owned companies, after all the friendly fire we endured and support we gave. :cantbeli:

p-)

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Yeah "crumbs from the table" there is a lesson to be learned here me thinks. :|

[Dave the Dawg]

I was under the impression that only coalition countries was allowed to
make cash in Iraq? However two Finnish businessmen was killed in
Baghdad this morning, on a trip to the Iraqi Electric power ministry, the
journey was arranged by the Finnish Technology Industries and represented
9 companies. The two killed men were representatives for Enston and Air-Ix,
which both are Finnish companies.

Your impression is wrong, based on media reports that in my mind deliberately distorted the story. The US government determined that only companies from coalition members would be eligible to bid on contracts funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars. This did not apply to EU reconstruction funds, Japanese reconstruction funds, Saudi reconstruction funds, or any other project, including those funded by Iraqis themselves. And many non-coalition countries, including Finland, Cyprus and Switzerland, have had contracts for some time. They just would not be eligible for that chunk coming out of the $20 billion for which the US taxpayer is footing the bill.

[Dalleer]

I was under the impression that only coalition countries was allowed to
make cash in Iraq? However two Finnish businessmen was killed in
Baghdad this morning, on a trip to the Iraqi Electric power ministry, the
journey was arranged by the Finnish Technology Industries and represented
9 companies. The two killed men were representatives for Enston and Air-Ix,
which both are Finnish companies.

Damn, I just heard about this...


The victims were shot near an underpass in central Baghdad around 11 a.m. They were in a car heading to a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Electricity. Shots were fired from another vehicle, which passed at high speed. The driver, an Iraqi, was unharmed. He was later questioned by Iraqi police.

The two killed were Seppo Haapanen, director of sales and marketing for Ensto Utility Networks, and Jorma Törönen, President of Air-Ix, an industrial consulting firm.

http://ww2.yle.fi/pls/show/page?id=244178

[Lt-Col A. Tack]

I was under the impression that only coalition countries was allowed to
make cash in Iraq?

I believe that only coalition countries are allowed to bid for prime contracts
for work being paid for with US taxpayer money. Companies like
Halliburton and KBR have gotten a lot of attention lately.

However, anybody can receive sub-contracts. Which out of $18-20 billion could
still add up to some seriously big money. Even in Euros :)

Also, GWB met with the Canadian Prime Minister (the new Prime Minister) and said that
Canada would be allowed to bid. I'm not sure if he was really saying for
prime contracts or what.

I seem to remember hearing that Alcatel might subcontract for some work on the
Iraqi telephone system. Siemens maybe for some electrical work.

Feel free to correct me.

[Lt-Col A. Tack]

Yeah "crumbs from the table" there is a lesson to be learned here me thinks. :|

The UK was an extremely important part of the coalition.
You guys are definitely eligible for the big stuff.

Anyway, It's an awfully big table :)