UK seeks reconstruction role

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UK seeks reconstruction role

The prime minister is set to dispatch the foreign trade minister to the US in a bid to ensure that British firms do not miss out on opportunities to assist in the rebuilding of services and infrastructure in Iraq.

Mike O'Brien is to travel to Washington to lobby on behalf of UK businesses, amid indications of growing frustration at the proliferation of US-led contracts being awarded.

According to reports in the Guardian Mr O'Brien will be accompanied by the prime minister's special representative on overseas trade Brian Wilson.

Mr Wilson said that the visit was simply part of the UK's overseas strategy, commenting: "There are substantial opportunities for British companies to contribute to that reconstruction effort on the basis of proven expertise."

"There is no doubt that the Iraqis want British companies to be involved," he added.

The Prime Minister's Office has confirmed a visit is going ahead but has not commented on suggestions that leaked papers show irritation amongst ministers at the dominance of US in the contracts tendered to date.

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