Amman - The Iraqi Business Council opened its third conference in Amman Tuesday with the participation of hundreds of Iraqi entrepreneurs and representatives of foreign companies who seek investment opportunities in Iraq.

The three-day meeting, which is sponsored by the US-Iraqi Chamber of Commerce, is expected to focus on future investment outlets in Iraq and the chances of forging cooperation and partnerships between Iraqi businesses and their foreign counterparts particularly those taking part in the fifth Rebuild Iraq fair which opened in Amman Monday, organizers said.

"The conference is set to create a linkage among firms participating in Iraq's reconstruction and provides an opportunity for representatives of Iraqi, Arab and international firms to acquaint themselves with the investment projects in Iraq," the chamber's Vice-Chairman Majed Michel said.

About 500 companies from 31 countries are participating in the Rebuild Iraq 2008 fair, according to Albert Aoun, chairman of the IFP Group, which organizes the event.

Sectors covered in the fair include building and construction, electricity, telecommunications, water and sanitation, health, agriculture, security and information technology and general products and goods, Aoun said. (dpa)