PROJECTS: Iraq plans reconstruction fund for Southern province

PROJECTS: Iraq plans reconstruction fund for Southern province

Iraq is planning to create a fund for reconstruction projects in the Southern Dhi Qar governorate that was devastated during the 2003 war, the official Arabic language daily Alsabah said on Tuesday.Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi ordered the creation of the fund that will be dedicated to rebuilding war-damaged facilities and financing new projects covering roads, power, water sewage, hospitals and other facilities, the paper said.The fund will be financed through the state budget and will be controlled by local authorities, the paper said."The Prime Minister ordered the creation of this fund to support services and other projects in the governorate...he stressed the need to give more attention to Dhi Qar because it has been marginalised and deprived over the past years," it added.(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop