10:06:10_First Anniversary Newsletter

The IBBC celebrated its first anniversary on Wednesday 9 June, where Baroness Nicholson welcomed key political and business leaders from Iraq, including Dr Ali Al Dabbagh, the Government of Iraq’s Spokesperson and newly elected Member of Parliament, the Governor of Basra, the Central Bank of Iraq, the Deputy Chairman of the Oil & Gas Committee of the Iraqi Parliament and the Chancellor of the University of Iraq, as well as from the UK to the House of Lords.

Dr Vince Cable MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, congratulated the IBBC on its first year, declaring his and the UK Government’s encouragement for trade and investment in Iraq, which the IBBC was leading.

For the Government of Iraq, Dr Ali Al Dabbagh, congratulated the IBBC on its first year of work, emphasising that Iraq was a country of promising opportunities and encouraged UK companies to invest in Iraq.

The IBBC’s inaugural year has enjoyed huge success with two exceptionally high points being the trade mission’s to Baghdad and Basra. In Baghdad the IBBC were hosted by the Iraqi National Investment Commission’s Chairman and met with key Iraqi Ministers and business leaders including the Ministers for Finance, Oil, Telecommunications, Health, Industry, Transport, Water & Planning and the Governor of the Iraqi Central Bank. In Basra the IBBC was hosted by the Governor of Basra supported by the Basra Investment Commission at a conference and meetings which included the leading Basra business and political figures including the Chairman’s of the Provincial Council, Business Union & Chamber of Commerce along with the Chancellor of Basra University.