IRAQIS hoping to play a crucial part in the rebuilding of their country have embarked on a fact-finding mission to the North-East.

A delegation from Basra, in southern Iraq, visited the head office of The Northern Echo, in Darlington, yesterday, as part of a fortnight-long stay in the region.

They have been studying examples of good business practice, in the hope of taking new skills back to Basra, a city which presently has an unemployment rate of about 60 per cent.

The Iraqis represent different projects from their home country, including youth enterprise schemes and initiatives to get more women into work.

They have all been assigned two-day placements with companies in the region during their stay, with Kowther Miza planning to get a taste of British journalism at The Northern Echo.

David Mitchell, private sector advisor to the Government's Department for International Development, said: "Basra was once the driving force for the economy in Iraq, but it has been lying dormant for 30 years.

"Everyone here has come to the UK to see how problems are solved and to see if there are any projects they can transfer back to Iraq."