EXPORTS TO IRAQ TIED TO CONTRACTORS, AS LIMITS REMAIN ON TRADE AND TRAVEL

With billions of dollars of U.S. aid being planned for the reconstruction of Iraq, American firms are finding the best way to get a piece of that business is by linking up with one of the major contractors who have deals with Washington to handle the rebuilding of the war-torn country.Even with the easing of U.S export controls and financial sanction, U.S. companies will find it difficult to do business directly with Iraqis outside this framework. The main inhibitor is the continued lack of security in the country. Other barriers include restrictions on obtaining visas from the State Department, the lack of an operating banking systems and the destruction of the commercial and industrial infrastructure.