Messages
Message by the British Ambassador to Iraq
John Jenkins
As I write this foreword, seven months after the 7 March 2010 Elections, we still await the formation of a new government. It would be nice to think that such a government will have been formed by the time you pick up this publication. Insh’allah. In the Middle East patience is the essential virtue……..
I have been Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Iraq since December 2009. I saw the last days of the previous Government and have waited since then – with many others – in eager anticipation of the sort of new government which would deliver the reconstruction that Iraq urgently needs. The length of the intervening period has been intensely frustrating for the people of Iraq, who showed their commitment to democracy by voting in large numbers in March, in spite of uncertain security and attempts to derail the electoral process. So much still needs to be done here and any delays often affect the most needy disproportionately. But all Iraqis need a government that provides the services and enables the jobs that underpin a decent life. And business needs a government that takes tough decisions for the right reasons and enables them to do the work that will underpin reconstruction and sustainable economic progress. We need clarity, stability and transparency. When I reflect on the message my predecessor, Christopher Prentice, wrote for this publication a year ago, it’s easy to wonder how much
progress has been made in that time. Christopher spoke about Ministries working in very difficult conditions, lacking capacity and with poor communications infrastructure. He talked of the lack of a regulatory framework for business and of corruption. Many of these problems undoubtedly continue to exist. But there is also no getting away from the fact that business continues to be done here. I am pleased that this continues to be the case for British companies. Not only those multinationals that are household names but also an increasing number of less well known companies. Indeed during the celebrations for the Queen’s Birthday Party held at the Embassy in June 2010, I was able to talk to our assembled guests about the progress being made across a range of sectors by British business in Iraq. Companies active in project management; in construction; in banking and finance; in software; and in business services were given as examples. The breadth of engagement is impressive. And in my time here I have been pleased to see a growing interest from British businesses wanting to come to Iraq. There are opportunities to seize now. And, whatever the current difficulties, there can only be increasing opportunities in the years to come. That is why UK Trade & Investment, the government department that help British companies do business overseas, has expanded its presence in both Baghdad and Erbil. Our trade officers are here to help and support more British companies to do business in what is a challenging and rewarding market. With the promise of a new Government, I hope that we shall see a new Iraq that is truly open for business and with an environment that is welcoming to those who want to trade and invest here.
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