Mandelson leads Iraq trade trip - BBC

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is leading the first British business delegation to Iraq in over 20 years. Representatives from 23 companies are accompanying the business secretary on a one-day trip to Baghdad and Basra.

The group will meet Iraqi government ministers to discuss how they can contribute to the economic reconstruction of the country.

The visit coincided with a series of car bombings in the Iraqi capital, which killed more than 30 people.

'Important role'

Lord Mandelson stressed that the reconstruction of Iraq continued to be a good business opportunity.

"British business and expertise can play an important role in the development of the Iraq economy," he said.

Business leaders from the healthcare, construction, oil and gas and banking sectors are among those on the trip. During the visit he will announce that two more British businesses have been awarded contracts in Iraq.

Maritime and Underwater Security Consultants has secured an estimated $200 million contract to map the seabed off the Al Faw peninsula.

UK company B-Plan Information's banking system software is being launched at Iraq's biggest bank Rafidain.

In February, during a surprise visit to Iraq, the Foreign Secretary David Miliband declared the country "open for business" and a good place for UK firms to trade.

Business minister Mandelson in Iraq - AFP

Business minister Peter Mandelson arrived in Baghdad on Monday to lead the country's first official trade delegation to Iraq for more than 20 years.

The move is a further sign of London's desire to normalise relations with Baghdad as Britain pulls its troops out of southern Iraq over the coming months, six years after the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.

Mandelson's visit came as series of rush-hour car bombings hit Baghdad, killing at least 18 people and wounded 58 others, according to law enforcement officials.

"Lord Mandelson, the business secretary will lead a high-level business delegation on a one-day visit to the country," the embassy official said.

"The delegation, comprising 23 companies, will take the opportunity to visit both Baghdad and Basra."

Ministers have talked up business opportunities in Iraq, particularly in the southern port city of Basra where Britain's forces and reconstruction efforts are based.

"This is the first such British delegation to visit Iraq in over 20 years," the official said.

"Lord Mandelson and the representatives will have the opportunity to meet with Iraq government ministers, including Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, to contribute to the economic reconstruction of the country."

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said Mandelson and the business delegation would also visit Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

The companies in the delegation comprise "a broad range of sectors," said BERR.

"Not just oil and gas but also in healthcare, construction, transport, power, water, banking and the security sector. The UK government's future relationship with Iraq will be one of partnership," it added.

British forces officially started to withdraw from Iraq six days ago, signalling the end of military operations that began with the invasion that toppled Saddam.

Operations will end by May 31 and all but a few hundred of the 4,100 British service personnel are to leave the violence-wracked country by July 31.

A Royal Navy training team is expected to stay on in Iraq to provide naval training in the southern port of Umm Qasr.

Security has improved dramatically since 2007, when Iraqi and US forces launched offensives against Al-Qaeda militants with the help of local US-financed and trained militias.

But the latest attacks follow others in March that saw 252 Iraqis killed.

The death toll remained high last month due to four major suicide bombings, including a March 8 attack in Baghdad when an assailant on a bicycle blew himself up killing at least 28 people outside a police academy.

British minister to lead landmark trade mission to Iraq - Tehran Times

Britain's Business Minister Peter Mandelson is set to lead the country's first official trade delegation to Iraq for more than 20 years, his office said Friday.

The move is a further sign of London seeking to normalize relations with Baghdad as Britain pulls its troops out of southern Iraq over the coming months, six years after the U.S.-led invasion.

British ministers have talked up the business opportunities in Iraq, particularly in the southern port city of Basra, where Britain's forces and reconstruction efforts are based.

The delegation is made up of 23 companies comprising “a broad range of sectors,” said the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). “Not just oil and gas but also in healthcare, construction, transport, power, water, banking and the security sector.”

The delegation will also visit Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, while Mandelson will also visit Bahrain. No dates were given for the visits but they are expected “shortly”.

In Iraq, Mandelson and business leaders will meet with Iraqi ministers and officials on opportunities for British firms to get involved in the economic reconstruction of the country.

“The UK government's future relationship with Iraq will be one of partnership,” BERR said.

“It takes on new dimensions including areas such as economic, commercial, cultural and educational cooperation.

“It is a relationship of cooperation and friendship which is entering a new era and will last for many years to come between the two countries.”

On his visit to Bahrain, Mandelson will have high-level meetings to discuss the global economic situation and bilateral issues.

British forces officially started to withdraw from Iraq on Tuesday, signaling the end of six years of military operations that began with the invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

Operations will end by May 31 and all 4,100 British troops are to leave the violence-wracked country by the July 31. Some British troops will still provide naval training.