大象传媒

International investors will be watching closely the outcome of parliamentary elections in Iraq later this week.

Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil industry and its massive oil reserves. The country has hugely ambitious plans to expand production, and already oil deals have been agreed with foreign companies. But seven years since the American-led invasion, political uncertainty remains, and suicide bombings in the central city of Baquba show the security situation is still volatile.

Oil contracts have already been signed with foreign companies, even though Iraqi politicians have failed to agree on a Hydrocarbons Law. But the development of Iraq's dilapidated oil sector has become an election issue. From Baghdad, the 大象传媒's Gabriel Gatehouse talks to Oil Minister, Dr Hussein Sharistani, who says existing oil contracts will not be re-visited by a future government.

Plus, Lesley Curwen talks to Professor Wim Koesters of Bochum University about Eurozone indebtedness. He helped to co-ordinate a public declaration in 1998 by 180 German economists, calling for a delay in the launch of the Euro because some countries were too indebted.

And our Business of Sport commentator, David Goldblatt reckons that the lasting legacies of many global sports events are empty stadia and huge public debts.