At the prestigious IBBC 2026 Annual Retreat at Cumberland Lodge, Great Windsor Park, Basrah Gas Company (BGC) was announced as the successful winner for the Rasmi Al Jabri Award for Business Excellence for year 2026.

The award citation, which celebrates the life, work and values of the late Rasmi Al Jabri, recognised BGC for its outstanding contribution to Iraq’s energy security. The citation highlighted BGC’s role in transforming associated natural gas, that had previously been flared, into a vital source of energy for homes and industries across Iraq. It also acknowledged the company’s significant investments in expanding gas gathering infrastructure, reducing flaring, and developing Iraqi talent through long-term workforce development initiatives. The judging panel further commended BGC’s unwavering commitment to transparency, business practices, and leadership in supporting local communities.

Presenting the Award, IBBC President Baroness Nicholson of Winterborne, was delighted to note the long-term nature of BGC’s commitment to graduate education and the social impact work that BGC does locally in Kor Al Zubair with the AMAR Foundation.

 

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Marfa Al Asady, Deputy Managing Director of Basrah Gas Company, said: “On behalf of BGC, we are honoured to receive this prestigious Rasmi Al Jabri Award. This recognition reflects BGC’s commitment to supporting Iraq’s economic growth through delivering reliable energy to the Iraqi people. At BGC, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of business excellence and developing Iraqi talent.”

Mr. Al-Asady also commented on the work of the IBBC in promoting and empowering the very best in business and offered his thanks to Baroness Nicholson and her Judging Panel for the honour of this prestigious award.

Note for Editors

Rasmi Al Jabri:

Rasmi Al Jabri was the Vice Chairman of the Iraq Britain Business Council. When he passed in 2020, the Award was created in his name to reflect his commitment to Iraq business and the importance of doing business the right way, with excellence and commitment. The Award itself was donated to the IBBC by the renowned Iraqi Architect Zaha Hadid.

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Basrah Gas Company (BGC):

BGC is a 25-year incorporated Joint Venture between Iraq’s South Gas Company holding 51%, Shell 44% and Mitsubishi Corporation 5%. Since 2013, this joint venture has boosted gas recovery from 250 to more than 1100 million standard cubic feet per day (end of February 2026), capturing associated gas from three major oil fields that had previously been flared. This has enabled BGC to send gas to the grid in Iraq supporting approximately 3.5 GW of electricity generation capacity. Additionally, BGC also produces LPG and condensates, BGC currently supplies 60-70% of Iraq’s LPG demand, and since 2016 increasingly exports LPG and condensates to international markets.

The IBBC:

The Iraq Britain Business Council is the pre-eminent business council operating in Iraq. The IBBC was inaugurated in 2009 by Baroness Nicholson and since then has been at the forefront of driving the private sector economy in Iraq, through its convening power, expertise in the Iraqi affairs and the quality and range of its membership.

Award Citation 

About the Award:

The Rasmi Al Jabri Award was founded in 2021 in honour of the life, work and values of our great friend and Vice Chairman, Engineer Rasmi Al Jabri.

The private business community in Iraq was at the heart of his life and work. As a founding member and, later, Vice Chairman, Rasmi Al Jabri championed business excellence as a route to success, progress and sustainable growth.

Award Principles:

The Award recognises Iraqi businesses that continue to uphold the principles Rasmi valued and promoted:

• Iraqi ownership, leadership and strong management
• The highest standards of business practice
• The long-term development of people within the business, supporting continued growth, skills development and personal fulfilment

The annual Rasmi Al Jabri Award for Business Excellence is open to any Iraqi business that demonstrates a sustained commitment to these principles and to the values Rasmi embodied.

2026 Recipient:

The business being honoured in 2026 has long contributed to Iraq’s economy. In recent years, it has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to business performance, long-term investment in domestic supply for vital power generation, and economic growth through increased gas exports.

It continues to invest in environmental improvements, including reductions in gas flaring and the use of solar energy to power its operations.

A vital part of its success is its commitment to human resource development, particularly through local engineering development, a well-supported graduate programme and structured leadership development.

Award Presentation:

The IBBC are delighted to present the 2026 Rasmi Al Jabri Award for Business Excellence to Basra Gas Company. We are pleased to invite Deputy Managing Director Mr Marfa Al Asadi to receive the award on behalf of the entire Basra Gas Company team From Baroness Nicholson of Winterborne