London - A British business delegation led by Business Secretary Peter Mandelson left for Iraq Monday to explore investment opportunities during a one-day trip to Baghdad and the southern port of Basra.

Mandelson and members of the 23-strong delegation were due to have talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who is expected to visit Britain, France and Russia during a European tour later this month.

"Iraq today is a place of opportunity. Britain will stand by Iraq in peace as we have in conflict to help Iraqis realize that opportunity," a statement released by the Department for Business and Enterprise in London said.

"British business expertise and skills can play an important role in the development of the Iraq economy and the UK Government will do all it can to make a positive contribution to the economic future of Iraq."

The delegation includes representatives from the healthcare, construction, transport, energy, water, banking, and security sectors.

Mandelson is expected to announce that the British firm, Maritime and Underwater Security Consultants, has won a
200-million-dollar contract to clear and map the seabed off the Al Faw peninsula as part of a project to build an underwater oil pipeline.

The visit also coincides with the launch of a banking software system developed by the British company, B-Plan Information Systems, for Iraq's biggest bank, the Rafidian Bank. (dpa)