Australia seeks to resume its wheat exports to Iraq
Iraq-Australia, Economics, 2/27/2006

Australia said it continues its efforts with the Iraqi government in order to preserve continued exports of its wheat to Baghdad, which is considered one of its largest markets.

This move came after the Iraqi government suspended dealing with the company, AWB company, which monopolizes the export of the Australian wheat.

The Australian deputy premier and minister of commerce Mark Fill who currently visits Baghdad said that his visit does not intend to sign an agreement, rather to ensure giving the Australian companies the opportunity to compete in the bids to be announced by the Iraqi wheat council in the future.

The Australian official will be meeting with the Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and other senior officials including the minister of commerce Abdul Baset Maloud.

Dealers said that among the reasons of the visit made by the Australian official is to ensure Australia's participation in one Iraqi tender to purchase 1.5 million tons of wheat.

Iraq has not finished completion of the bid because of the curfew imposed to put an end to sectarianism.

Australian wheat exports to Iraq have become vulnerable, after AWB company was accused it had bribed the regime of the topples Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in the course of the oil for food program.

Iraq had suspended dealing with the company until the Australian government completes investigations into the allegation,s but did not rule out buying the Australian wheat from other importers.

Previous Stories:
  On the Australian forces in Iraq   (1/10/2006)
  Iraq agrees to resume wheat imports from Australia   (8/19/2002)
  Iraq threatens to reduce wheat imports from Australia   (3/31/1998)

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