Ambassador Wall visits Diyala province

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony Jones | Ambassador Marc Wall, coordinatior for economic transition in Iraq, speaks with the head of the DEI, an Iraqi company which produces transformers and other power products, during a recent visit to Diyala province, April 5 and 6.  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

04.24.2009

Story by Spc. Anthony Jones 

145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

DIYALA, Iraq — Ambassador Marc Wall, the coordinator of economic transition in Iraq, visited Diyala province and met with several business leaders and government officials, April 5 — 6.

Wall, who is responsible for economic initiatives and programs throughout the country, visited Diyala Electrical Industries the first day of his trip and received a guided tour by DEI staff while accompanied by members of the local Provincial Reconstruction Team.

After meeting with the DEI staff and receiving a tour of their production facility, which produces electrical transformers, the ambassador traveled Diyala's Governance Center in Baqubah, where he met with current Diyala governor, Ra'ad Al Mula Juad. While there he discussed possible economic opportunities for the people of Diyala province.

During the course of his visit Wall addressed several key issues facing Diyala province; issues such as electricity and investment diversification.

"There is a lot of interest in attracting more investment - both encouraging private investment from inside Iraq but also bringing in investment from around the world," said Wall.

Wall said the Iraqis are paying attention to the things needed to be done to create a positive environment and make Iraq more attractive to foreign investors.

"The challenge in this difficult economic time is to actually get serious, new investment moving, and it's a challenge," he added.

Wall also spoke of several contracts the Iraqi government has recently signed with General Electric and other companies to renovate and improve Iraq's power grid.

"By the summer time there will be significant new capacity in place," Wall said. "Over the next few years [the deal with GE] will boost production by some seven thousand megawatts; that will more than double what they have in place now."

Another issue Wall addressed during his visit was regarding concerns that planned troop withdrawals will have a negative impact on the Iraqi economy.

"They key question is what happens to the security situation as the troop draw down proceeds. Assuming security can continue on a positive direction as it has been, then that will make it possible for the political process to function more normally and from that; economic growth and development to take place," said Wall.

Wall ended with a brief mention of Iraq becoming a member of the World Trade Organization. "Iraq needs to introduce some changes to legislation to be eligible for accession to the WTO. It would be a very positive step if those negotiations would succeed. It would link Iraq into the world trading system in a more effective way than it is now, giving additional confidence to international investors."

One of the highlights of Wall's visit to Diyala was a trip to the Al Aruba Suq, a large market place in Muqdadiya where Iraqis from as far away as Baghdad once came to buy and sell goods.

"Coalition forces, civilian and military, are working hand and glove to help get that market back together," said Wall. "That's going to provide opportunities for the Iraqi people, it's going to provide employment and get commerce going in that area and keep Iraq on a positive course."

• Date Taken: 04.24.2009
• Date Posted: 04.24.2009 04:51
• Story ID: 32802
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ