Jordan Times reported that Mr Alaa Batayneh Public Works and Housing Minister encouraged the Jordanian construction contractors to consider opportunities in Iraq and Libya, describing them as promising markets.

Mr Batayneh during a meeting with over 250 members of the Jordan Construction Contractors Association recently said that "Iraq and Libya do not have liquidity problems and they represent potential markets for the Jordanian construction contractors."

He said that "I would like you to look into this as an opportunity and I am ready to help you in this regard. Iraq now needs rebuilding and Baghdad has allocated USD 400 billion for this plan. Iraqis want us to play a major role in the rebuilding process."

The minister did not comment on the contractors' complaints regarding steel and cement shortages in the market but asserted the government's readiness to resolve difficulties facing the sector in order to uphold national interests.

The JCCA issued 2 statements last week, complaining against cartels which are deliberately behind the shortage in steel and cement.

The association alleged that manufacturers of steel and cement practise some sort of monopoly but a leading industrialist rejected the JCCA claim and attributed the shortage to exceptional increase in demand and black market.

(Sourced from Jordan Times)