EU grants Iraq $ 46.4 million Abdul Mahdi: The biggest challenge is to encourage investment and reconstruction Construction and Real Estate

The Iraqi government on Tuesday signed a grant agreement worth 41.5 million euros ($ 46.4 million) with the European Union mission to provide jobs and implement economic and service projects in Iraqi cities.

"The Ministry of Planning signed an agreement with the Ministry of Planning for 41.5 million euros (46.4 million dollars) in order to activate the work and implement a number of projects in the province of Basra and the rest of the cities," said the ambassador of the European Union in Iraq, Ramon Belkoa. Iraq's other. "

He added that «the agreement is a complement to the agreement that we signed in (December 2018) the commitment of the European Union towards Iraq through the provision of employment and the implementation of economic and service projects».

Minister of Planning Dulaimi, that «Basra suffers from many challenges and need to develop projects», adding that «the Ministry will support this province and stand on its needs and go to them to complete these projects».

"The amount provided by the European Union in the agreement signed today is a financial grant and not a loan," spokesman for the Ministry of Planning Abdul-Zahra al-Hindawi said.

He added that «the agreement supports the humanitarian efforts», pointing out that «the objectives of the Convention will be implemented by the international agencies of the United Nations in coordination with the Iraqi government». At the end of 2017, the European Union decided to provide an aid package for Iraq worth 60.4 million euros ($ 68 million) for projects in the areas restored by the Iraqi government from the control of the "Islamic State".

By mid-2016, the EU had provided emergency financial assistance to Iraq worth 104 million euros ($ 117 million) for "relief for displaced people living in dire humanitarian conditions."

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said the biggest challenge now was to encourage investment in his country and urged international companies to work in the reconstruction of the provinces destroyed by the state.

This came during a reception on Monday evening by Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander de Croix and European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stallianisis in Baghdad, according to a statement by his office.

The statement added, «has been discussed developments in Iraq and the Iraqi government's directions after the elimination of the urging, and the support provided by Belgium and the European Union to Iraq in the construction and reconstruction and the humanitarian field».

The statement added that «Abdul-Mahdi expressed his thanks for the position of Belgium in support of Iraq and the need to deepen our relations with European countries after the war is urging».

"The biggest challenge now is to encourage investment," Abdul Mahdi said. "He urged international companies to work in the reconstruction of the destroyed and affected provinces."

The Belgian Deputy Prime Minister expressed his country's readiness to support Iraq. Noting that «the purpose of the visit is to show Belgium's support for Iraq and to identify opportunities to contribute to the reconstruction of Iraq and the strengthening of humanitarian aspects and assistance to the liberated areas, including Mosul (north)».

He also praised the «development of Iraq and its pivotal role in the region and its relations with all», expressing «the desire of the EU countries to increase cooperation and coordination in all areas».

He added: "We are proud of what we felt of unity between the Iraqis and that the Commission increased the amount of humanitarian aid (not specified) and we must stand with Iraq and continue to support."

Infrastructure (water, electricity, health and education projects and service institutions) in the northern and western governorates has been badly damaged over three years of fighting between Iraqi forces and the state organization, which seized control of a third of the country in mid-2014.