Report on rebuilding Iraq sought

The government has asked the Project Exports Council to prepare a report on the opportunities arising out of reconstruction in post-war Iraq.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Rajiv Pratap Rudy said India was associated with a number of projects in Iraq, including some in the construction sector. He said the government wanted to continue the association.

Rudy said though Iraq was currently receiving Indian exports under the United Nations' oil-for-food programme, it was unclear as to how they would continue after the war.

Meanwhile, 23 Indian contracts have made it to the priority list under the UN oil-for-food programme programme.

According to a list circulated by the Office of the Iraq Programme, Indian contracts in the priority category include goods like instant full cream powder, wheat, gas turbines, educational material and equipment, vitamins, soyabean meal, water pumps, veterinary pharmaceuticals, medicines, drugs and pharmaceuticals.

OIP had advised exporters not to ship goods without coordinating with it or the relevant UN agency, an official statement said.