Supporting Iraq prevents terrorism’s return
KUWAIT: A high-level experts’ meeting for Iraq’s reconstruction and the role of finance institutions kicked off yesterday at JW Marriot Hotel. “Iraq has been subjected to a fierce attack by terrorism that has led to the displacement of more than five million Iraqis from their homes,” said Abdulwahab Al-Bader, Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED).
During his opening speech, Bader pointed out to the need to help Iraq and support its reconstruction to prevent terrorism from returning. He expressed happiness that Kuwait was chosen to be the place where he revealed Iraq’s vision for reconstruction and economic development, pointing out that the losses touched infrastructure, transport facilities, electricity, water, education, health and others.
Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers of Iraq Mahdi Al-Alak said that the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq is based on three pillars - reconstruction, supporting the processes of stability and encouraging investment opportunities. He added that Iraq has submitted an integrated strategy document, including a field study on the damage caused by the war on terrorism and the real needs of post-war reconstruction, pointing out that despite the large resources Iraq has, international support for Iraq is important for reconstruction. He thanked Kuwait and international partners such as the World Bank and the United Nations for the success of the conference and achieving its goals.
Meanwhile, the President of the Reconstruction Fund for Areas Affected by Terroristic Operations in Iraq Mustafa Al-Hitti affirmed that the human dimension is one of the most important principles on which it is based. He stressed on the other hand to maintain the pace of economic process and face unemployment, in addition to rebuilding destroyed infrastructure. Hitti said that of the 138,000 housing units affected by the war on terror, half of them are completely destroyed, adding that citizens are waiting to return to their homes.
Abdullatif Al-Hamad, Director General - Chairman of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) said the tragic situation experienced by Iraq, which suffered over many years as a result of the destruction of the infrastructure, has exceeded its capacity for reconstruction. “The situation in Iraq requires all of us to cooperate and be in solidarity in providing support for reconstruction,” he explained.