On Monday the 8th of September Managing Director of the IBBC, Christopher Michels, attended a meeting at HM Treasury with the Governor of Nineveh province, Abdulqadir Al-Dakhil. UK Export Finance (UKEF) officials and representatives from the Iraqi Embassy in London were also in attendance.

The governor highlighted important projects in the province which had benefitted its diverse population. The main subject of the meeting was to seek funding for a water salination project in West Nineveh province. This project seeks to provide clean water to 1.5 million citizens. The water would be released from Mosul damn and be supplied to multiple cities in the province.

Although there are still obstacles to securing the funding, there is no doubt that bringing stability to Mosul, following its sustained and brutal targeting by ISIS, is a priority for the UK and Iraq.

Governor Al-Dakhil was keen to highlight the diversity of Nineveh’s population, of which Yazidis and Christians form a significant part. Earlier this month, the restoration and inauguration of the Al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul, along with churches such as Al-Tahera, took place, reflecting a broader sentiment of long-term stability within Iraq. The IBBC welcomes all efforts that contribute to the redevelopment of Mosul, which has been an example of harmonious coexistence worldwide.

The IBBC looks forward to welcoming Mr. Al-Dakhil to the Cumberland Lodge Retreat this week for further collaboration and exchange of ideas.