An agreement (memorandum of understanding) on the import and local assembly of commercial vehicles in Iraq was concluded today between MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG, along with its sales partner Terramar, and the Iraqi Ministry of Industry. Signing by the Iraqi Industry Minister Fawzi Al-Hariri, Terramar's Managing Director Peter F. Mayr and MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Sales and Marketing Director Peter Erichreineke, took place during the Iraqi-German trade talks in Berlin on the occasion of the state visit by Prime Minister Al-Maliki.

Under the agreement, it is envisaged that MAN Nutzfahrzeuge and Terrarmar will build up an assembly line for trucks and buses in Iraq. From 2009 onwards, the final assembly of chassis for tippers, tankers, semitrailer tractors and bus bodies is to take place here, the pre-assembled parts coming from the MAN production plant in Salzgitter. Peter Erichreineke said: "The MAN Group is aiming to make a meaningful contribution to the reconstruction process in Iraq. We have the advantage that MAN not only has a very good name there, but can also utilise Terramar's long-established contacts."At the same time, the existing service structure in the northern, central and southern regions is to be modernised and expanded to comply with MAN standards. This is to be carried out in the wake of the improving security situation in Iraq.