Kuna, August 8 - As a form of protest to the kidnapping of its chairman in Baghdad by unknown gunmen, the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IACCI) postponed on Wednesday a forum scheduled to take place in Jordan.

Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), IACCI's President Fares A-Musleh said the Iraqi investment forum was supposed to take place on August 30, but the kidnap of its Chairman Raad Omar and 11 of IACCI's employees last Monday, at the chamber's headquarters, led to postponing the event until further notice.

He said such acts against Iraqi businessmen will have a grave negative effect on the nation's economy, urging the gunmen to release the hostages immediately.

Since Iraq's new investment law was ratified, the forum was expected to witness wide participation by Iraqi state bodies and private firms.