German group ThyssenKrupp which specializes in steel production, capital goods and services announced that its subsidiary ThyssenKrupp GfT Gleistechnik has received a mega contract worth a double digit million euro figure from the Iraq Ministry for Transport and Railways Companies for the supply of 30,000 tonnes rails to be used in the general renewal of the country's network.

The 18 meter long rails of UIC 60 type in question in the contract are to be shipped from the port of Antwerp to Basra by the end of 2009.

Mr Harald Bogedein GM of ThyssenKrupp GfT Gleistechnik said that "This is the very first mega project in Iraq involving German companies since the end of the war. We hope the contract will serve as a stable launch pad for an ongoing business relationship. We are presently holding exploratory talks."

The talks are being conducted in the context of Iraq's infrastructure reconstruction program. A significant volume of products will also be required for port construction work in Iraq, an issue regarding which ThyssenKrupp is presently examining business possibilities.