US general pledges to secure symbolic Kandahar

On the face of it then, business is brisk. But the realities of rebuilding Baghdad are vastly more complicated. Of the firms storming the gates to kickstart Iraq's economic revolution, only a handful are Western. Take out oil, and the US accounted for less than one percent of private capital into Iraq in the first nine months of 2009. For investors outside the region, it seems the country is a hard sell. Rather than hearing the ringing of cash registers, says Teamy, the word ‘Iraq' conjures up the sound of explosions.

"Despite the fact no company has been paid a nickel, companies are still rushing to the gates," says Teamy. "Because they're confident in the medium to long-term of Iraq. It's the wild, wild west out here - and I mean that in a positive way.