December 6, 2003	Saturday	Shawwal 11, 1424

ROME, Dec 5: Italy and 15 other countries signed agreements with Baghdad’s interim government in Rome on Friday under which exporters to Iraq will be covered by trade insurance, Italy’s economy and finance ministry announced.

The agreements are aimed at promoting trade with Iraq which is vital in assisting with the country’s postwar reconstruction.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Coalition Provisional Authority’s director for economic policy, Marek Belka, Iraq’s Trade Minister Ali Allawi and representatives of the export credit agencies of the 16 countries. The signatory nations include the Australia, Japan, Switzerland and the US.—AFP