BAGHDAD, 13 July 2003 — While some no longer hesitate before displaying cars for sale in the street, others are investing in what they herald as a prosperous future by equipping shops with marble service counters.
In short, signs of confidence among shopkeepers in Iraq, despite continued unrest three months since the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime, are now growing strongly. “My optimism grows ten-fold every day,” says retailer Fadil Emara.
The 48-year-old shopkeeper looks genuinely enthusiastic as workers kit out the 1,800 square-meter space that is to become his household electric appliance shop. “We’ve got a wonderful and brilliant future in front of us,” he says.
“Look around. You can find everything in Baghdad. Even without police, government, weapons and administration, it works, so how can you be frightened?” he continues.
Three fountains have been built already, while tilers finish laying the marble that will encase refrigerators, air conditioners and cookers, lit up by spotlights, as music tinkles from loud speakers. “I’ve invested $300,000 because you can’t imagine how people shop.”
Prices have fallen because there are no longer any taxes.
“Customs used to make you pay 50 percent of the value of merchandise, not counting bribes for officials,” he says.
“We shopkeepers are going to suggest a tax of six percent to the new authorities.”
New businesses have been set up all along Saadun Avenue since the end of the war, advertising their wares on the pavement. “You just have to phone the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to get your delivery,” he says, nevertheless bemoaning the anarchy that reigns in the business world.
Several kilometers away, on July 14 Avenue, the small flag of the French carmakers Peugeot flutters in the wind.
Underneath on a podium, sits the first Peugeot 607 to be sold in Iraq, second-hand and shipped in from UAE capital Abu Dhabi for the occasion.
The firm, whose Iraqi proprietor lives in France, imports only French cars. Seven cars have been displayed on the street since July 1, commercial director Ahmed Al-Dulemi tells AFP. “Selling cars is the best business in the country because people have money,” he says, also looking to the future.
“We’re finishing work on a breakdown garage in Baghdad. All the spare parts have arrived and we’re also opening a car hire office,” he adds. Most shops now stay open until 9:00 pm (1800 GMT). For his part, Emara sees only “small pockets of unrest” in the capital.