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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the investment promotion activities of United Kingdom officials in (a) Sudan and (b) Iraq. [175792] Mr. Mike O'Brien: It is not UK Trade and Investment's role to promote investment in overseas countries. We are happy to support UK companies who have taken a commercial decision to invest overseas. As such, UK Trade and Investment offers general advice and information to UK companies wishing to trade with or invest in Sudan and Iraq. A small commercial section operates from the British embassy in Khartoum, headed by the Deputy Head of Mission and supported by two local staff. The section works to identify opportunities for British goods and services in the Sudanese market and to provide sales leads to UK companies. The interest shown by UK companies in Sudan is low, due in part to the continuing uncertainty over the security situation in the country. On Iraq, UK Trade and Investment has arranged a number of events in London and in the region, aimed at explaining the modalities of doing business in Iraq and bidding for reconstruction contracts. The commercial section of the British Office in Baghdad can provide information on request to UK companies.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

175792; 422 c59W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Iraq Overseas investment Overseas trade Sudan UK Trade and Investment

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk