August 9, 2006

AWB to resume wheat talks With Iraq

Australia's AWB Ltd, would resume talks with the Iraqi Grain Board this week over suspended wheat sales, its chairman said Tuesday (Aug 8).

AWB Chairman Brendan Stewart said the meeting came about after a request from the Iraqi Grain Board.

Iraq suspended dealings with AWB in February after a government inquiry uncovered evidence that AWB officials had paid up to US$222 million to former President Saddam Hussein to secure lucrative wheat contracts under the UN oil-for-food programme.

AWB had been Iraq's biggest wheat supplier for many years. Since then, Iraq has been buying wheat mainly from the US.

Stewart said he AWB is looking forward to reopening their business with Iraq.