At least 45 Arab and European countries are set to take part in Baghdad's international fair opening Wednesday, the organizers said.
The 33rd fair of its kind will have the biggest foreign attendance yet, an Iraqi official told AFP, recalling that the last fair attracted exhibitors from only 36 countries.
Representatives of several foreign companies were already here Sunday to prepare their stands with a view to sealing contracts in Iraq under the oil for food program, he added.
Interest in the Baghdad fair has grown this year with the unprecedented number of civilian flights carrying humanitarian aid and businesspeople from Europe and the Arab world.
These flights have increased despite the air embargo imposed on Iraq since its invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.
The first two days of the fair in Baghdad will be reserved for representatives of state companies and businesses, before opening to the public for a week, according to the organizers.
International sanctions have hit Iraq's 22 million-strong population hard, but have been somewhat eased since December 1996 by the oil-for food program which has allowed Iraq to sell crude oil to buy essential items – BAGHDAD (AFP)
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