Managers accompany foreign minister on trade mission; outlook positive

The Czech corporate sector is continuing its march on Iraq. Following a recent contract between the interim Iraqi government and a Czech supplier of police equipment -- the first large-scale business deal between the two countries since the fall of Saddam Hussein -- 12 firms accompanied Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda on a mid-January visit to the country. Those firms secured contracts worth around $100 million (2.6 billion Kc). Late last year Moravian company Mars Jevicko secured a $2.7 million contract to supply the nation's police force with bulletproof vests. Svoboda's mission was to discuss possible Czech participation in Iraqi reconstruction with the representatives of the coalition administration and the country's governing council. The Industry and Trade Ministry has been evaluating the proposals of 34 companies who wish to do business in Iraq. The ministry is to provide financial support to projects that are deemed promising. The new U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic, William Cabaniss, accompanied the Czech delegation. He said that the country has a good position in Iraq and that Czech companies have an excellent chance to do business there. His presence in the talks proved that relations between this country and the United States are especially good, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Vit Kolar. As a result of the negotiations, Czech firms have been promised contracts worth at least $100 million. Truckmaker Tatra Koprivnice has been short-listed for a contract to provide its products. Chemical specialist Chemoprojekt won a contract to repair oil refineries in Basra, according to a source who wished to remain anonymous.