IRAQI ECONOMIST CALLS FOR PRIVATIZATION AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004151

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2016
TAGS: ECIN ECON PGOV IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI ECONOMIST CALLS FOR PRIVATIZATION AND
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

REF: BAGHDAD 3797

Classified By: Economic Minister Counselor Daniel Weygandt for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Professor of Economics Abdulrasool Al
Jassim discussed major issues facing the Iraqi economy,
notably the Investment Law, the need for privatization, and
outreach efforts to convince Iraqis of the need for an open
economy. Dr. Abdulrasool also highlighted the need for small
business development and foreign direct investment. End
summary.

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The Need for Economic Reform
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2. (C) In a November 4 meeting with Econoff, Dr.
Abdulrasool emphasized the need for privatization and reform,
particularly within the context of globalized competition.
"We have 150 State Owned Enterprises (SOE's)," he said, "that
provide no benefit to the economy." Salaries at many of
these industries were not being paid anyway, he said, and a
well-designed public awareness campaign could address many
concerns about privatization. Dr. Abdulrasool said that
privatization should happen in phases, including time for a
feasibility study and a plan to attract international
investment with the capital and experience to provide badly
needed technological upgrades.


3. (C) Dr. Abdulrasool advised the Economic Committee at
the Council of Representatives (CoR) on the Investment Law,
which was passed by the CoR in October (reftel). Convinced
of the need for foreign capital in the Iraqi economy, Dr.
Abdulrasool hopes that the Investment Commission established
by the new law will attract investment to a wide range of
businesses. There are areas in Iraq that are safe enough to
work in, Dr. Abdulrasool said. He believes that the whole
country needs building and construction projects and small
business development.

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And the Need to Convince Others
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4. (C) While excited about the prospects for economic
development in Iraq, Dr. Abdulrasool is also aware of the
need to convince other people of the benefits of economic
reform. "The government was the only economic force in Iraq
for a long time," he said, "and now we need to show people
that there is a better system." Along with other
professional economists Dr. Abdulrasool is part of a society
that meets weekly to discuss areas for economic reform.
"People ask me how to fix the economy, so I tell them," Dr.
Abdulrasool said. The group, led by the president of
al-Mustansiriyya University, has discussed inflation, Public
Distribution Reform, and the Investment Law. Dr. Abdulrasool
mentioned in particular his outreach with religious leaders,
who have little experience with economic issues.

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Bio-Note and Comment
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5. (C) Dr. Abdulrasool Al Jassim is the head of the
Department of Trade and Industry at the private Mansour
College in Baghdad. He has lived in Baghdad since returning
from graduate work at the University of Poitiers in France in

1983. He has worked for the research department at the
Ministry of Industry, and with the Iraqi Fund for Foreign
Development. He does not speak English well. Dr.
Abdulrasool seems well connected with the network of
professionals promoting economic reform legislation, and
could be a valuable contact in our efforts to reform Iraq's
economy.
KHALILZAD