Iraq initially needs to spend around $25 billion to reconstruct war-damaged areas from which the Daesh was expelled, an official was quoted on Thursday as saying.
“We have not yet evaluated losses in the areas which have witnessed hostilities as it is difficult now to issue precise figures,” planning ministry spokesman Abdul Zahra Al Hindawi told Iraq’s Arabic language daily Al Mada.
“But there are preliminary estimates showing that we need about $25 billion for the reconstruction of areas damaged by terrorism…this is an estimate not a real figure and is based on a field survey since most areas are still tense.”
He said damage caused by the war against the Daesh affected most facilities, including infrastructure, electricity, houses, schools, transport and agricultural areas.
“All these facilities have sustained severe damage....it is too early now to announce precise figures on losses…the effects of the damage could extend to many years.”
Hindawi said the planning ministry has asked other ministries and departments to submit reports on damage in those areas, adding that reconstruction projects would be funded through investments and petrodollar revenues.
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