On September 11, CLDP, in coordination with the US Consulate in Basrah, Iraq, conducted a meeting in Basrah with the owners and managers of Basrah’s first shopping mall, Basrah Times Square, along with current operators of franchises in Basrah (both U.S. and non-U.S. franchises).  The purpose of the meeting was to learn of current development plans for franchise expansion in Basrah, as well as identify prospective opportunities for US franchises.  The exchanges yielded positive baseline of data for the franchise market in Basrah.  Current US franchises operating in Iraq, such as Hardee’s, are seeking to expand operation to Basrah, because of its proven market response, stable and secure environment, and its practical supply chain accessibility given its deep-sea port.  Other hypermarkets have exceeded developmental plans due to their consistently increasing consumer demand for foreign products.  French supermarket brand, City Center, claimed that profits for its Basrah outlet have exceeded the entire Middle East sales within a short period.  As a result of the meetings, the US Consulate in Basrah, requested CLDP, along with its colleagues at the Department of Commerce, to work on developing the franchise market in Basrah for more US Brands that are currently operating in Iraq or that are interested in expanding there.