Sectors open for investment range from construction, engineering, petrochemicals and fertilisers to food, drugs and textiles.
INVESTMENT LAW
Eight foreign firms, including French and Japanese companies, have so far invested in various sectors under Iraq's Industry and Minerals Ministry, Hamid said.
Earlier this year, the ministry awarded a $200 million contract to France's Lafarge SA (LAFP.PA) to rehabilitate Kerbala cement factory, while Japan's Marubeni Corp and Kawasaki Heavy Industries won a contract in December 2009 for the Kubaisa cement factory in Anbar province.
"Iraq is a virgin country for investment. We have natural resources, in addition to oil," Hamid said. "The one who wins is the one who will come now. The security, this is the main risk ... But it should get better."
While violence in Iraq has dropped from the height of sectarian bloodshed in 2006-2007, foreign investors are wary and explosions and attacks happen daily.
Hamid said investors had also complained about some of the country's regulation, particularly the investment law, which she said was under review.
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