The courtesy visit was led by Mexpa’s President En.Kabur Ibrahim accompanied by Mexpa’s state exco representatives. En. Kabur expossed that Mexpa was very keen to work with countries that had no Matrade office. En.Kabur informed that many Malaysians were always looking for new markets and investments and were willing to go abroad. Many were also reluctant to travel but went to Jordan and Kuwait instead. Malaysia has maintained bilateral relation he said. H.E Amal Mussa Hussain Ali Al-Rubaye went on to introduce Iraq and quoted that in 1979 Tan Sri Rafidah our patron had visited Iraq. Trade services have continued in Iraq since then Furniture, electronic items, oil field instruments and other trade are being traded. Iraq also needed support in health care, education and training. En. kabur mentioned that Mexpa represented most industries and the export community too.
H.E also spoke on the political emetic and the wars. Hospitals had to be rebuilt, relocated; roads had to be constructed even though the Humanitarian help was there. More support was still needed and Iraqi’s do have the funds, she said. The last hospital was built in 1980-1983. Now the emphasis was in redoing and reconstructing Iraq. Projects available and HE requested that Malaysian companied participate. There was a website.
HE suggested that we apply straightforward and explore opportunity. It was suggest that a Trade Mission soon to be arranged with intention who would like to invest in Iraq. Each Project had criteria. HE suggested that the Iraqi’s urge look for good Training courses for Iraqis. She said in the building capacity, there can be more development. Iraqi’s was with its own budget and giving its students a chance to study Higher education. There are scholarship available for certain criteria for training course, HE informed that there was a comm. of Political and they were ready to develop themselves too. HE said that Mexpa could make arrangement with different college people and spoke on the reinvent savage system needed for the people. She guided the team and assured safe areas will be considered for further development. HE suggested that mexpa could bring in partners that could explore places, look at security material and purchasing this could done in Iraq. There was a demand for food baskets as the government gave food to residents. Humanitarian help with people was needed especially medical services were needed. Lentils and daily necessary food could be traded. Clothes and Milk etc could be considered. At the moment trading was going on with Japan, Korea, China, England and Germany.
HE welcomed toys which could be an item to be sold. The administration form has been and help was available in Iraq. There was no private list for trading and businesspeople were requested to op to Iraq and secure trade. HE said there was a shortage of surgeons and joined hospital specialist. Most hospitals were built by Germany and Turkey and government sectors got the job. For future project, HE spoke well on complying procedures. (kindly take note there is a need on medicare, textiles, lectures,heart specialist and groups could go and train Iraqi nurses. They could go on Humanitarian government and the embassy could make arrangements. Mr.Kabur suggested that a Luncheon Talk be ranged and Her Excellency Dr Amal Mussa be the chief guest and business people will be invited. Her Excellency went on giving a brief of Iraq.
Iraq once analysed, tells us of its war torn history, but changes are on the way and Iraqi’s more open to trading outside Iraq. Malaysians can offer many items. A Trade mission should be organized to have a closer meeting and desist contacts in Iraq.
Prepared By,
Madam Sevaran Kaur JP
Mexpa – Liason