Help rebuild Iraq

As the troops started restoring control from Islamic State (IS) militants, Iraq has sought support from the international community including Bangladesh, in rebuilding the country from destruction.

Talking to a group of journalists at the Embassy of Iraq in Dhaka yesterday, Charge d' Affairs Mohammed Salman Hamad Al-Janabi said Iraq has historical relations with Bangladesh and expect that Bangladesh and Iraq would gradually restore its trade, people-to-people contact and entire bilateral relations.

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Lauding the role of Bangladesh's expertise in various sectors, including disaster management, construction and engineering, he hoped that Bangladesh might help Iraq in multiple areas.

He said the Mosul reconstruction plan will also open an opportunity for Bangladeshis to work in the reconstruction works. He said he has got response from a local NGO interested in working in Mosul.

In reply to a question, he said according to official estimate some 4,400 Bangladeshis, including engineers, were working in Iraq in 2016 in different sectors with reputation.

“We are happy to say that Bangladeshis had never engaged in any fighting in Iraq. No Bangladeshi has been found engaging with IS in Iraq. The Bangladeshis are very hard working and peace loving,” said Al-Janabi.

He said the IS militants in Iraq have destroyed thousands of houses, damaged properties, mosques, and educational institutions, killed some 100,000 innocent persons, raped hundreds of girls and women, and displaced one million people since they occupied the city.