Third construction fair to open in Erbil as housing and infrastructure demand grows

Erbil, Kurdistan – Iraq  – Erbil will host Iraq’s major construction sector trade fair later this month as the country’s demand for private sector housing and infrastructure continues to grow.

The third Project Iraq trade fair will bring together some 300 exhibiting companies from all over the world on 27 - 30 September and is expected to attract 50,000 professional visitors, including project owners, engineers, contractors, traders and officials.

Mr Fady Darwish, General Manager of the exhibition’s organiser IFP Iraq, said, “With some 25 billion (US) dollars in housing projects, 8 billion in transportation and 5.5 billion in water and sewage, the Iraqi government is focusing primarily on reconstruction and rehabilitation. Several new cement plants are being either revamped or erected to satisfy a growing need and major international players are now present. Iraq consumes around 15 million tons of cement yearly with the Iraqi ministry being the largest consumer”. He added, “We have decided to dedicate a standalone show because of the rising need for construction solutions.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government has already attracted both national and foreign investors to build housing and commercial property and industrial facilities in the region, thanks to its very investor-friendly and open investment law, and more construction is needed. The Iraqi government has decided to build 1 million new housing units as part of its 2010-2014 development plan, and estimates that 85% of home building will be carried out by the private sector and foreign investments.

Project Iraq 2010 is held with the support of the Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Construction and Housing. Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, said,"The KRG is pleased to host this event, which not only promotes the development of the Kurdistan Region but also contributes substantively to the reconstruction of all Iraq. The fair is an opportunity for the private sector to engage with the public sector through the provision of know-how and technology." He added,

"The KRG is committed to its open door policy and we welcome the international participants to consider this an entry point to the Iraqi construction market. I appreciate the efforts of the organizers - citizens and businesses throughout Iraq will benefit from such events."