Three years after the fall of Saddam Hussein, the first signs of an economic recovery are looming on the horizon, despite the numerous predictions to the contrary. These measurements include the halving of the unemployment rate, from 60% in the summer of 2004 to 30% a year later; the stabilization of the value of the new Iraqi Dinar, which was introduced in October 2003; the halving of Iraq??s debts; the earmarking of considerable funds for the reconstruction of Iraq at the 2003 Madrid conference. Iraqis abroad have also increased their remittances to a total of $1.5 billion. Iraqis have also rushed to buy and acquire new technologies; more than a million cars have been bought in the last three years, in addition to thousands of satellite reception equipments, electrical equipments, mobile phones and computers. Until recently, Iraq was an oil-exporting country, with Saddam??s regime benefiting from the country??s rich natural resources. However, the oil wealth was not reflected in the average earnings of Iraqis, which declined dramatically.

In the last three years, the Iraqi economy has witnessed a growth that is notable in the consumption capabilities of Iraqis as the salaries of public sector employees have increased and the old ruling cartels ceased to exist. According to a number of reports, the Iraqi economy is set to grow between 20% and 30 % annually owing to investments, reconstruction projects and private schemes.
http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=4291

It's not all gloom and doom over there people. :thumbsup:
Psycho4Bud Reviewed by Psycho4Bud on . Away from Violence...an Overview of Iraq's Economy Three years after the fall of Saddam Hussein, the first signs of an economic recovery are looming on the horizon, despite the numerous predictions to the contrary. These measurements include the halving of the unemployment rate, from 60% in the summer of 2004 to 30% a year later; the stabilization of the value of the new Iraqi Dinar, which was introduced in October 2003; the halving of Iraq??s debts; the earmarking of considerable funds for the reconstruction of Iraq at the 2003 Madrid Rating: 5