BOLTON and Bury Chamber is lobbying hard via The British Chambers of Commerce network to ensure that local business interests are served in the reconstruction of Iraq.

With the US picking up the major costs of Iraqi reconstruction, American law states that only US companies can be direct recipients of USAid.

UK companies can, however, bid to sub-contract from these firms. UK companies are in pole position to take up these opportunities, according to Bolton and Bury Chamber, which has issued the following contact information to firms. A special desk at Trade Partners UK deals with questions on this issue -- call Claerwyn Hamilton-Wilkes on 0207 215 8893. The US Govt has a website aimed at UK firms looking to get involved in reconstruction at: www.buyusa.gov/uk/en/page144.html