Iraqi Ambassador Falah Abdul Hasan Abdul Sada called on Serbian businessmen to take part in the programmes aimed at recovery and enhancement of the economy of the Arab country which holds abundant oil supplies.

In an interview for the latest edition of the Belgrade-based economic magazine Ekonom:east, the ambassador noted that Iraq needs Serbia's experiences, especially in the area of construction industry, because it is restoring all that was destroyed during wars and sanctions.

The construction of roads, hospitals, service institutions and integrated infrastructure is also underway in order to meet the demands of the growing population which now totals 30 million. Iraq is an excellent market for those who want to work and Serbian companies are always welcome, Abdul Sada said. He recalled that Iraq maintains very good relations with former Yugoslavia and that its ties with Serbia root back to 1958.

Baghdad used to be a seat of over 100 Yugoslav companies, and thousands of employees from all former Yugoslav republics worked in Iraq, and some of the projects they were engaged exist even today. All areas are open for everyone, we need to build over one million housing units soon and Serbia has companies which are capable of participating and being competitive in the field we consider vital, the ambassador noted.

According to the data of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS), the value of Serbia's exports to Iraq totalled USD 53.8 million, which for the most part consisted in projects agreed on between the two countries' defence ministries.