US corporations trying to liberate Iraq......from regulation.

[marmar]

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq's regulatory environment remains a major challenge for international companies looking to invest in the war-torn country, the heads of U.S. businesses visiting Iraq as part of a trade mission said on Tuesday.

The 14 companies were part of a mission led by the U.S. Commerce Department to rebuild Iraq, whose economy has been battered by decades of war, sanctions and economic isolation.

U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Francisco Sanchez, who led the mission, the first since the U.S. ended combat operations in August, said there was still a lot that needed to be done to improve Iraq's business environment.

"American businesses seeking opportunities here are less worried these days about physical security. They remain more concerned about corruption, a still-evolving regulatory environment and a relatively underdeveloped infrastructure including transportation and telecommunications," Sanchez said.

"Difficulties continue in obtaining land, registering to do business, locating office space and obtaining visas and housing, but progress is definitely being made," he told a delegation of U.S. and Iraqi businessmen. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101005/bs_nm/us_iraq_usa_trade_1