Iraq intends to build a tourism city in the Southern Dhi Qar governorate within plans to attract tourists and boost non-oil revenue, the official Al-Sabah daily said on Monday.

Culture and Tourism Minister Abdul Amir Al-Hamdani on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the project in Ahwar Al-Jabayesh swamp area, the paper said.

It quoted Al-Hamdani as saying the project comprises rest houses, shops, fun facilities and services and that it would be funded through the 2020 budget.

"The Ministry will fund this project through this year's budget then it will be offered for investors as part of plans to expand the private sector's role in developing the tourism industry in Iraq," Al-Hamdani said.

He said similar projects would be set up in other areas in South Iraq but he did not mention costs of the Dhi Qar tourism city.

(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com)

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