The “Yediot Ahronot” Hebrew daily reports that Israeli construction companies will soon be able to participate in US tenders for postwar Iraqi reconstruction.
Official Pentagon sources recently contacted Israeli officials and told them that there was nothing to prevent Israeli companies from supplying products, services, and a variety of projects related to reconstruction in Iraq.
Pentagon sources recommended that Israeli companies create joint ventures with Jordanian and Palestinian companies. They said this would make it politically easier to include Israel in multi-billion dollar business in Iraq.
Several Israeli companies are reportedly already preparing to compete in Iraqi reconstruction tenders. Several of them have begun considering cooperation, after having been contacted by Jordanian companies lacking know-how, experience, and financial backing. The Jordanian firms asked the Israelis to function as a silent partner.
”You can assume we’ll be there,” said Solel Boneh Building and Infrastruture (TASE:SOLB) managing director Shaul Amit. “It will only happen, however, if we feel we can operate there in complete safety.”
Another company considering an investment in Iraq, following a Jordanian offer, is A. Arenson, considered Israel’s largest infrastructure company. Owner Avie Arenson said, “I’m definitely considering the matter, given the offers of a partnership from various countries.”
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on May 28, 2003