1 hour, 27 minutes ago
The US ambassador to Iraq has urged American companies to invest in the northern Kurdish regions, considered relatively safe for business compared with the rest of the war-torn country.
"I think you will make large profits on your investments in the tourism sector in the province," Zalmay Khalilzad said at an opening reception Wednesday for an international trade fair in the northern city of Arbil.
He also urged US companies to look at investing in agriculture, as well as oil-rich Iraq's energy sector.
Khalilzad said the Kurdish areas had vast resources of water, oil and manpower, which can "help American companies make profits and also help Iraqi people."
"I do not want you to spend four days in Kurdistan, and then return without a contract and personally I invite you to take advantage of Kurdistan and invest in this area."
Khalilzad welcomed the new liberal investment laws framed by the regional Kurdistan assembly that encourage foreign participation.
More than 800 companies from nearly 30 countries are participating in the trade fair, including a number of US companies, mainly from the automobile industry.