Esawi, US Deputy Secretary of Energy discuss cooperation in economy, energy sectors

Baghdad (NINA) - Finance Minister, Rafi Al Esawi, discussed with US Deputy Secretary of Energy, Daniel Poneman, and the US ambassador to Iraq, James Jeffrey, ways of joint cooperation in the economy and energy sectors. He stressed the importance of "benefiting from the expertise of the US in the economic, financial and energy sectors through holding joint workshops and training courses.” Regarding the 2012 budget, Esawi explained "it will witness a significant increase in the investment budget and will enhance the reconstruction and construction process and improvement of services in all provinces." For his part, the American official expressed his country's keenness on "the success of the Iraqi economy and its growth as it will lead to growth and development of US investments in Iraq and the region," expressing "his country's readiness to send experts in the fields of economy and energy to support and develop the Iraqi competencies." /End/