Written question asked by Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 January 2008. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 January 2008 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress made on redevelopment of Iraq's industrial base.

Answer: Redevelopment of Iraq's industrial sector after decades of conflict, sanctions, underinvestment, corruption and poor management is challenging. We welcome Iraqi efforts to improve infrastructure, pass key legislation, such as the Investment Law, and increase budgetary allocations to key Government Ministries eg Ministry of Industry and Minerals.The UK and our partners continue to support investment, job creation and economic reconstruction through Provincial Reconstruction Teams, international compact, and UK-inspired Basra Economic Package.

Secondary information