With companies from several countries vying for projects in the reconstruction of Iraq, estimated to cost over $80 billion, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry will send a delegation to the UN Office of Iraq Programme in New York to bid for a sizeable share of this for Indian business, Ficci president A C Muthiah said on Thursday.

"We will be sending a delegation immediately to the UN Office of Iraq programme in New York, to discuss with them the over Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion) of material to be supplied before May 12, as per the resolution passed on March 28, 2003," Muthiah said.

Ficci secretary-general Amit Mitra said the delegation, expected to leave within two days, would also visit Washington to meet US organisations designated for the reconstruction of Iraq. The delegation is expected to be accompanied by external affairs ministry officials, he added.

Saying India would have a definite role to play in that region, Mitra said, "We will bid for contracts based on our levels of execution, one of our core strengths, apart from our experience in having carried out such work in that region."

Mitra said Indian companies like Afcons, Continental Constructions, the Road Construction Corporation and Somdutt Builders had already executed projects in Iraq.

He also said the government must take up the issue of humanitarian supplies like wheat, tea, rice and sugar not being included in the priority list of foods. India could supply medicines, medical equipment and disposables worth Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion) to Iraq, he added.

The government should immediately apprise the UNOIP of the extent to, which Indian business could contribute to the reconstruction efforts in Iraq, Mitra said.