A team was formed earlier this week by the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and is headed by Ibrahim Foudah, the executive director of the Saudi Export Development Center.

"We have the products, we have the expertise and we also have giant firms that can undertake huge projects. Many of our products are of international standards," Foudah told AFP.

The purpose of the team is to prepare a detailed list of what the Saudi enterprises are capable of doing in Iraq and then pursuing the legal channels to secure the contracts, he said.

The team will most likely undertake negotiations on behalf of Saudi businessmen with the party that will supervise the reconstruction of Iraq, he said.

Saudi Arabia has experience and products for major infrastructure projects, especially in water treatment and sewage networks.

Saudi firms are also established in the electrical overhead and underground cables sector, in addition to power destribution networks. They have key experience in reviving Kuwait's electricity after liberation in 1991, he said.

Saudi companies also have a broad experience in power pylons, steel and pre-cast structures and some of them are doing projects in Mexico and Brazil, in addition to Syria, Egypt and Jordan.

A number of major Saudi companies already have established important alliances with giant international firms which have vast experience in reconstruction projects, Foudah said.

A number of such alliances had existed for several decades and this will prove decisive for winning important contracts in post-war Iraq, he added.

The Saudis are not likely to compete in the design and management fields, but instead will focus on execution and supplying products and row materials.

Saudi businessmen have an edge over other competitors because of the close proximity of the kingdom to Iraq and the availability of a large fleet of trucks for transportation at a relatively cheap price, Foudah said.

Saudi Arabia has strongly opposed the US-led war against Iraq and refused to provide facilities for the US military, but the Americans have reportedly been using an advanced command and control system at Prince Sultan Air Base.

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