Construction and Oil Contractors find the going tough in Iraq

Experts say the chance of acquiring orders from Iraq have at present the mercantile companies and firms already operating in or from the region. When the situation calms, new construction and oil companies will enter Iraq's market. "I do not know when I will be allowed to carry out my contract. The Americans do not take care about contracts signed before the war. I still think I have a 70-80% chance," said Jan Szandar, president of Altrex. Before the war, it signed a $7.3 million deal to supply drilling pipes. In order to help the entrepreneurs, the Polish-Arab Chamber of Commerce plan to organize three business trips to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in September. The Economy Ministry and Domestic Chamber of Commerce (KIG) will organize similar visits. Entrepreneurs are also looking for contracts and plan to create consortia in order to gain a stronger position. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) M.M.