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Iraq

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Iraqi Export Tree Map

Prior to US occupation, Iraq’s centrally planned economy prohibited foreign ownership of Iraqi businesses, ran most large industries as state-owned enterprises, and imposed large tariffs to keep out foreign goods. After the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, the Coalition Provisional Authority quickly began issuing many binding orders privatizing Iraq’s economy and opening it up to foreign investment.

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people.

On 20 November 2004, the Paris Club of creditor nations agreed to write off 80% ($33 billion) of Iraq’s $42 billion debt to Club members. Iraq’s total external debt was around $120 billion at the time of the 2003 invasion, and had grown another $5 billion by 2004. The debt relief will be implemented in three stages: two of 30% each and one of 20%.

In February 2011, Citigroup included Iraq in a group of countries which it described as ‘Global Growth Generators’, that it argued will enjoy significant economic growth in the future.

The official currency in Iraq is the Iraqi dinar.

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Iraqi Dinar

The Coalition Provisional Authority issued new dinar coins and notes, with the notes printed by De La Rue using modern anti-forgery techniques. Jim Cramer’s 20 October 2009 endorsement of the Iraqi Dinar on CNBC has further piqued interest in the investment.

Transportation:

Railways:

total: 2,272 km

For more than two decades there have been plans for building a metro system in Baghdad. It is possible that part of the tunnels have been built, but that they are now used for military, shelter, hiding, and escaping purposes. U.N. inspectors have heard of the tunnels for years, but have not found their entrances. In November, 2008, an overground service dubbed the Baghdad Metro began service. Local government in Baghdad is arranging feasibility studies for the construction of two new underground lines.

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Rail Routes in Iraq

A 37 km monorail is planned in Najaf, which would link three Shi’ite holy sites.

The first Iraqi Republic Railways train to Basra since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime arrived on 26 April 2003. British troops hope to use the 68 km long railway to transport much-needed aid supplies from the port town of Umm Qasr to Basra.

In June 2011, it was announced that planning had begun for a new high-speed rail line between Baghdad and Basra, with a memorandum of understanding with Alstom having been signed.

Roads:

total: 44,900 km
paved: 37,851 km,
unpaved: 7,049 km (2002)

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Major Road Routes in Iraq

Airports:

Iraq has about 104 airports as of 2012. Major airports include:

Baghdad International Airport

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Baghdad International Airport

Basra International Airport
Mosul International Airport
Erbil International Airport
Sulaimaniyah International Airport
Najaf International Airport

Flag of Iraq:

The flag of Iraq (Arabic: علم العراق‎) includes the three equal horizontal red, white, and black stripes of the Arab Liberation flag.

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Flag of Iraq

This basic tricolor has been in use since its adoption on 31 July 1963, with several changes to the green symbols in the central white stripes; the most recent version adopted on 29 January 2008 bears the takbīr rendered in dark green. The colors of Iraq’s flag represent 4 different things: Black represents oppression and triumph, White represents bright future and generosity, Red stands for the blood of martyrs, and Green stands for Islam.

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