A spokesman for the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced that it had opened its first branch outside Iraq in the Jordanian capital of Amman. He revealed that this branch's main objective is to encourage Arab and foreign businessmen to invest in Iraq.

The Iraqi - American Chamber was launched in July 2003 by American businessmen from Iraqi origins in order to stimulate trade between US firms and Iraqi companies, and to encourage US businesspersons to participate in the reconstruction process of Iraq.

The source added, according to <i>Alrai</i> newspaper, there are about 5700 members in the chamber and 90% of them are Iraqis. He disclosed that Jordan was chosen because it is considered to be the gateway to Iraq and many members of the Chamber reside in the kingdom.

© 2005 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)