In a statement released on the internet it said: "Polish companies and economic organisations interested in taking part in reconstruction in Iraq... are called to send us as soon as possible information in English on their experience and their offers of cooperation in the areas of their choice."

It said the reconstruction would be in collaboration with US firms and that "companies with previous experience in carrying out infrastructure projects in Iraq" would have priority.

Several Polish construction companies worked in Iraq on motorways and other infrastruture projects before the 1991 Gulf War, but their activities were subsequently frozen.

As a result Poland says that Iraq owes it around 700 million dollarsmillion euros).

SPACE.WIRE