Visiting Foreign Minister Hoshiar Al-Zibari of the Iraqi Interim Government encouraged Chinese companies to explore business opportunities in the country's reconstruction during his meeting with Chinese entrepreneurs Thursday in Beijing.

Al-Zibari said Iraq is desperate for all kinds of products and needs to build infrastructure ranging from transportation, communications network, information structure, energy, water resources, sanitation system and education.

If foreign companies establish branch offices in the major cities in south and north Iraq, they should be able to expand their business presence through the whole country after the situation is stabilized, he said.

Admitting Iraq is experiencing its "roughest period in history," Al-Zibari said both the interim government and the National Assembly, which will be voted on in January, have to juggle maintaining peace and security with that of building the economy.

Without a safe and secure environment, the prospect for the economy to recover is pessimistic, he said.

During his first visit to China, which began Wednesday, Al-Zibari said he was impressed by the rapid progress China has achieved during the past decades.

The Iraqi people would like to cooperate with all companies from peace-loving nations, especially China, he noted.

Al-Zibari also assured that despite the outcome of the January election, the policies of Iraq will remain unchanged. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry is ready to provide any help to boost the collaboration between Chinese and Iraqi businesses.

Al-Zibari said Iraqi post-war reconstruction aims to build a free market economy and encourages overseas investment on an equal basis.

He said in the very beginning, pillar industries of the country will be put under government control but then gradually decentralized and privatized.

For the time being, the Iraqi government is working hard to have the country's loan and debt relieved and has made positive advances during its talks with the Arab countries and the Paris Club, he said.

Al-Zibari said Iraq is rebuilding its troops and police elements and gradually regaining its sovereignty with the help of international community. All these difficulties are temporary and will be solved eventually, he said.