A panel trying to encourage investment in Iraq's southern province of Basra will tour Northern Ireland this week to learn how a region's economy can recover after years of conflict.
The Basra Development Commission, made up of six Iraqi businessmen and officials and one Briton, is a joint initiative of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih and was launched last December.
The commission will visit Northern Ireland tomorrow and Wednesday to see redevelopment projects and hear from officials there how inward investment has helped transform the economy of Northern Ireland.
The group said there is more than $200bn worth of investment opportunities in oil-rich Basra province, including in the port, airport, oil industry and education.
