RIYADH, 9 January 2004 — A large contingent of 72 Saudi companies will be among 1,100 exhibitors from 45 countries that will participate in the “Rebuild Iraq 2004 International Trade Fair” to be held in Kuwait from Jan. 19-23.
This was announced at a joint press conference organized by Riyadh Exhibition Center and Kuwait International Fair. Besides the representatives of the exhibition companies, diplomats from the embassies of Hungary, Austria, Turkey, Germany, India, Sweden and Italy were also present.
Iraq needs an estimated $150 billion for its reconstruction program. Of this amount, only $30 billion has been committed by international donors. The organizers of the exhibition hope that the event would attract overseas investors and get them to participate in the reconstruction of Iraq.
Referring to the Saudi participation in the show, Muhammad Al-Hussaini, deputy general manager of Riyadh Exhibition Center, said some major Saudi companies like SABIC, Juffali, Savola and Obeikan are among the exhibitors.
Fadi Kaddoura, director, International Sales and Marketing, Riyadh Exhibition Center, said: “We expect a significant presence of Iraqi businessmen at the show.”
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Trade and the chamber of commerce have invited their Iraqi counterparts to attend the inaugural ceremony to be held at the International Fair Grounds in Kuwait. He also said they were unable to organize the exhibition in Iraq both due to security concerns and the destruction of infrastructure facilities.
Speaking on behalf of the Indian Embassy, Sanjay Rana, commercial counselor, said Indian companies were eager to participate in the show, as they have many years of experience in the Middle East.
