By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said that Iraq is heading now to face the challenge of reconstruction and investment after overcoming challenges of the issues of security and politics.
Al-Maliki said in a speech during the opening of Al-Najaf airport Sunday that his government and the Iraqi security forces succeeded in countering the challenge of terrorism in Iraq, pointing out that “if we have succeeded in the security file, we are better able to cope with the remaining challenges, including the challenge of reconstruction, services and the economy”.
He pointed out that his “government has achieved another breakthrough yesterday (Saturday) represented in the return of political blocs to his government,” saying that it had now become a cohesive unity government.
Al-Maliki pointed out that these successes have made Iraq an attractive hub to investors, noting that the Iraqi Investment Authority signed recently a contract to build a huge hotel in Baghdad, saying that it is a message for all investors to invest in Iraq.
He said that Iraq has the right to be proud of that progress in the economic sphere, adding that the Iraqi currency has been supported and unemployment rate has been reduced.
He disclosed that there is an intention to build another airport in the city of Karbala, pointing out that Karbala would soon sign the final contract for the establishment of an international airport to facilitate the movement of religious tourists to the city.