H.E. Mr. Fawzi Franso Hariri Minster of Industry and Minerals received in Baghdad Mr. Krestian Eystroyzi French Minister of Industry accompanied by a number of deputies and group of French businessmen. Both sides inaugurated the French - Iraqi businessmen Centre in Baghdad in addition to businessmen a accommodation Hotel, Mr. Minister expressed welcome for this step, stating that this centre is consider as the first businessmen centre that comprises a commendation hotel this confirms France believe and support to Iraq, stating that Iraqi French relations are strong, solid and strategic and that Iraq aims to improve these relations especially the economic ones. Mr. Minister referred that the visit of French Minister of Industry with the accompanying major delegation represents a great support for Iraq and will encourage other European countries to visit Iraq and to actively participate in its construction expressing his desire that European countries will enter and invest in the Iraqi market. On his part Mr. Krestian Eystroyzi French Minister of Industry said that the inauguration of this centre was resulted from common cooperation between Iraq and French and that the centre will be opened since today for the French investors and businessmen, calling up on them to visit Iraq and benefit from the available investment opportunities especially within the convenient security conditions. After the inauguration ceremony ended French Minister of Industry visited Al Rasapha Water Project and acquainted him self with the work their and stressed that this project as great important for both French and Iraqi sides since it will provide drinking water for 4 million Baghdad inhabitance. Following the visit ended H.E. Mr. Fawzi Franso Hariri re met French Minister of Industry at the Mr. Poris Uwalon French Ambassador Residence in Baghdad with the attendance of the French delegation as well as some of Iraqi Ministers and Deputies. H.E. Mr. Minister stressed in a speech delivered before the attendance that Iraq is a bout to have free democratic elections it is aspiring for a shining and promising future and that the existence of such major delegation proves their believe in the future of Iraq" certainly as they seek for strong and advanced relations with Iraq we will do so". The French Minister explained that French side is strongly interested in supporting Iraq in the economic side through several memoranda of understanding in different industrial field in energy field also they are intended to get consideration in this field, and the French side will support Iraq through the French Development Agency (AFD) which will provide preferable loans for development projects in basic sectors. H.E. Mr. Minister added that Iraq is in need for partners and not for suppliers it intents to conclude agreement with famous international company to be a partner in building new Iraq, referring that there are many people understood political change but not economic one since Iraq has been converted from central economy in to open market one. On his part the French Minister stressed in a speech that his visit is an interpretation for H.E. Nicolai Sarkozi French President desire to built strong relation with new Iraq, explaining that his country is ready for exerting every effort to support Iraq and that France aspires to be important partner to Iraq since both sides have common views. After words 3 memoranda of understanding were signed between MIM and French companies with the attendance of both Ministers of Electricity and Trade, where a memorandum of understanding was signed with the French company of Techneb on studies on petrochemical industries and another one with the State Company for Automotive Industry in Alexandria and Renault French Company to assemble Renault Automotives in Iraq, and a third one between Kerbala Cement Plant and Lafarch French Company. In a press conference after signing ceremony ended H.E. Minister expressed pleasure on having a memorandum of understanding with the French side through this short visit that resulted in signing three memorandum of understanding with French senior and famous companies including Lafarch which considered among the French Giant companies in Cement Industry, Stating that this company works currently in Kurdistan Region and it will be a strategic partner to Iraq, Mr. Minister refereed that in the future their will be a meeting to sign a memorandum of understanding between Iraq and French. H.E. Mr. Minister stressed that Iraq now a promising market and that the Iraqi government realizes that since it seeks to establish a solid and strong economy through specialized investors businessmen and international companies to support Iraq and that there are other European countries including Germany with which we signed common labors protocols and agreements and there are other countries work now in Iraq including Italia, Spain and Slovakia attracting the attention that Iraq seeks to open market away from centralization and Iraq is now un fear able since it became a free democratic Iraq.
