January 20, 2004
NO TO EXPO
A Rebuild Iraq Expo is currently underway in Kuwait. Private enterprise is rallying to the Iraqi cause:
France will be represented by just three companies, although Germany, which also opposed the US-led war, has 50.
Iran is participating with 130 companies, the largest contingent, followed by the host country Kuwait with 119.
Italy is sending 112 firms, while fellow US ally Britain is taking part with more than 100.
All of this is excellent. But where the hell is Australia? It’s not as if we’re avoiding opportunities to be involved in Iraq’s reconstruction, but according to this list of exhibitors Australian firms have dodged the Expo entirely. Not good.
Posted by Tim Blair at January 20, 2004 12:20 AMTim: QandO reports that "Australia's Worley Group Ltd." has a 35% stake in a joint venture going for US$800M. For oil restructuring. "It's all about hte oooooiiiiiillllll!"
Posted by: JorgXMcKie at January 20, 2004 at 04:07 AMGood luck, Australia, with winning that Vegamite concession!
The field in inedible sandwich spreads would seem to be all yours.
Posted by: JDB at January 20, 2004 at 06:20 AMIve been posting for awhile about the buzz of entrepreneurial activity around Iraq, under the heading Baghdad 2003 (now 2004) = Prague 1990.
Posted by: Yehudit at January 20, 2004 at 10:28 AMNo Vegemite concession, no way. Tony has to lay it on the line with the US on this: us Brits get the Marmite concession or we're outta there.
Posted by: John F at January 20, 2004 at 10:20 PM