LONDON, Nov. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- A British government minister expressed his optimism Friday that British companies could be ableto win a "significant proportion" of new contracts for reconstruction work in Iraq.

    Mike O'Brien, a Foreign Office minister for trade, investment and foreign affairs, told a London conference that he is confidentBritish firms will secure a big share of new contracts in the second rounds of bids for rebuilding works in Iraq which are expected to be worth 18.6 billion US dollars.

    Gathering on the final day of US President George W. Bush's state visit to Britain, delegates had a face-to-face meeting with the official overseeing the distribution of 18.6 billion dollars of US money recently approved by Congress for reconstruction work in Iraq.

    On Wednesday, the US government pledged fair competition for atleast 25 new Iraq contracts open to firms from the United States, Iraq and countries that supported the war effort.

    Until now, only US firms have been prime contractors and contracts worth 2.2 billion US dollars in the first round of bids were all awarded to the American companies.

    The move angered America's traditional allies, especially Britain.

    British companies have been pressing their prime minister, TonyBlair, to use his influence as Bush's closest international ally to help them secure a share of the reconstruction work in Iraq, which is being led by US firms.

    The British minister said he had been "encouraged by the receptiveness" of US officials during recent talks about how the US funds for Iraq would be disbursed.

    "So I sincerely hope that when the 18.6 billion dollars approved by the US Congress comes on tap, British companies will be able to secure a significant proportion of the contracts," he said.

    "I say this not simply because there are large sums at stake here. I say it because I believe it is in the best interests of the Iraqi people that British companies are involved."

    O'Brien flew to Washington earlier this month for talks with key officials in President George W. Bush's administration to makehis pitch about infrastructure projects in Iraq. Enditem