Iraq: The Economic Track
March 29, 2006
American soldiers, Coalition troops, and Iraqi Security Forces are working together to improve economic conditions throughout Iraq. In three years, they have made substantial progress in helping create a civil society which ensures freedom and opportunities for Iraqis, and strengthens the national security of the United States.
Ambassador Daniel Speckhard, U.S. Director of the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office, recently highlighted the tremendous economic progress in Iraq:
(American Forces Press Service "Official Reports Progress in Iraq's Reconstruction, Economic Development," March 27, 2006)
"Iraq's per capita income had fallen from around $4,200 per person in 1980, which at the time was higher than Spain, to $500 per person in March 2003, he said. Today it stands at $1,200 - ‘a significant advancement in a very short time,' Speckhard said.
"Speckhard pointed out that Iraq now has a free press, more than 2,000 Internet cafes, and more than 5 million cell phone users - up from virtually zero in 2003. All of these things help connect Iraq to the outside world ‘in ways that it never was before, providing freedom and opportunities for Iraqi citizens,' he said.
"In addition, more than 30,000 Iraqi businesses have been registered in the past year alone, he said.
"If you look out into the streets, ...you'll see a very vibrant economy,' Speckhard said. ‘People (are) buying consumer and durable goods - refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, and so forth."
Today, Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), Co-Chair of the Victory in Iraq Caucus, praised economic progress in Iraq:
"While naysayers focus on civil war in Iraq, American soldiers are busy creating a civil society in Iraq. As they work together with Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition troops, their efforts are producing undeniable economic advantages that truly improve the lives of Iraqis: new businesses, higher per capita income, and greater opportunities to interact with the outside world."
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Ambassador Daniel Speckhard, U.S. Director of the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office, recently highlighted the tremendous economic progress in Iraq:
(American Forces Press Service "Official Reports Progress in Iraq's Reconstruction, Economic Development," March 27, 2006)
"Iraq's per capita income had fallen from around $4,200 per person in 1980, which at the time was higher than Spain, to $500 per person in March 2003, he said. Today it stands at $1,200 - ‘a significant advancement in a very short time,' Speckhard said.
"Speckhard pointed out that Iraq now has a free press, more than 2,000 Internet cafes, and more than 5 million cell phone users - up from virtually zero in 2003. All of these things help connect Iraq to the outside world ‘in ways that it never was before, providing freedom and opportunities for Iraqi citizens,' he said.
"In addition, more than 30,000 Iraqi businesses have been registered in the past year alone, he said.
"If you look out into the streets, ...you'll see a very vibrant economy,' Speckhard said. ‘People (are) buying consumer and durable goods - refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, and so forth."
Today, Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), Co-Chair of the Victory in Iraq Caucus, praised economic progress in Iraq:
"While naysayers focus on civil war in Iraq, American soldiers are busy creating a civil society in Iraq. As they work together with Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition troops, their efforts are producing undeniable economic advantages that truly improve the lives of Iraqis: new businesses, higher per capita income, and greater opportunities to interact with the outside world."
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