ABSTRACT
The city of Mosul produced fine cotton goods and gave its name to the fabric 'muslin'. All that can be done is to trace the patterns of investment in the major industrial projects implemented during this period. In general, the state organisations can be likened to a Western holding company controlling a number of production units, though this analogy should not be taken too far, given the very different concepts of capital investment current in contemporary Iraq. At present, while Iraqi industry is heavily subsidised and protected, the negative aspects of the decision-making process may not be very apparent. In the experience of foreign businessmen negotiating with Iraqi committees the salient feature of Iraq's decision-making process is the fear which permeates the system. Industrial investment since 1970 has included adding to Iraq's own refining capacity, with new refineries in Basra and at Baiji.
