§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 13 January 2004,Official Report, column 703W, on Iraq, what support the (a) UK, (b) US and (c) EU are giving to facilitate Iraq's ability to take responsibility for the necessary administration. [149450]
§ Ms HewittThe UK recognises the importance of re-establishing normal conditions for trade in Iraq. This is detailed in the UK's Country Assistance Plan.
The UK, through Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Department (HMCE), has been very active training, working with and restoring the operations of the Iraqi Customs Service. Chambers of Commerce are emerging in Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk and in the area controlled by the Kurdish Regional Government, and are receiving support from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to create viable trade organisations in Iraq.
The Commission have said that they will consider re-establishing GSP preferences for the country, when such viable trade organisations and a functioning and internationally recognised political authority exist in Iraq.