Japanese firms begin efforts to win Iraq reconstruction project contracts.

(From BBC Monitoring International Reports)

subheadings as published

With US President George Bush declaring the end of combat operations in the Iraq war, the focus of attention will now move to postwar reconstruction of Iraq. It remains uncertain how far Japanese companies can cut a share in the reconstruction efforts spearheaded by the United States, but the trading firms and the oil industry plan to reinforce their lobbying efforts on the new administration and other concerned parties in order to resume business activities suspended since the Gulf War. Furthermore, after full-fledged reconstruction aid plans are formulated, Japan is certain to be asked to share the financial cost. It is also likely that there will be calls for …