Media Release

7 December 2003 - MVT92/2003

Vaile Underlines Australia's Commitment to Iraq

Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile saw first hand the devastation wrought on the Iraqi people by Saddam Hussein's three decades of dictatorship during a two-day visit to Baghdad which ended last night.

In meetings with the Iraqi Governing Council, the Coalition Provisional Authority and several Iraqi ministers, Mr Vaile stressed Australia's commitment to stay the distance in efforts to build democracy and revive Iraq's economy and society.

Mr Vaile underlined Australia's $120 million financial commitment to humanitarian and reconstruction efforts, the recent government decision to establish a $350 million trade finance facility to assist the development of bilateral trade, and other contributions, including Australian Defence Force activities in Iraq.

As part of those efforts, Mr Vaile announced Australia would supply $250,000 to fund a feasibility study into the proposed construction of an integrated grains processing centre in Iraq. The centre would include a state-of-the-art flour mill, research and testing laboratories, education and training facilities and logistics centre.

"The centre would help to consolidate Australia's strong position in Iraq's grain market, assist Iraq develop an internationally compliant grains standards regime, facilitate technology transfer and build local grain processing capacity," Mr Vaile said.

During Saddam's rule much of Iraq's agriculture infrastructure was destroyed. Existing facilities in the grains sector are poor, technical capacity is low and food standards are non-existant.

"The integrated grains centre would be aimed at helping Iraq address all these problems," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile stayed with Australian troops at Camp Victory in Baghdad, conveying Australia's deep appreciation for the contribution they are making to Iraq's stabilisation and rehabilitation.

He presented troops of Australia's Joint Task Force 633 Middle East with a Wallabies team jumper signed by all members of the 2003 World Cup squad.

Contact: Brad Williams 02 6277 7420