During the 2008 China Chongqing Expo, buyers from Iraq issued over 100 purchase orders for automobiles, electrical appliances, food, housing construction equipment, and consumable products, totaling US$1 billion. Many are trying to establish direct sales channels with local businesses to cut back costs of having a middle man. Daily consumable products topped all the categories of the orders placed.
Source: People’s Daily, March 25, 2008 http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/html/2008-03/25/content_48322437.htm