Christophe Michels, Managing Director of Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) and Rasmi Al Jabri, Deputy Chairman of IBBC recently completed a productive trip to Jordan and Kuwait 18-22 June.

Christophe and Rasmi first met with officials at the British Embassy in Amman, Jordan. All British visa applications from Iraq are processed through the embassy in Jordan, with whom IBBC maintain a long-standing partnership with the visa section, meeting annually.

IBBC officials also met with the CEO of the National Bank of Iraq, IBBC’s newest member. The National Bank of Iraq is majority owned by Capital Bank, one of Jordan’s largest Banks, which has over 20 branches in Iraq. The National Bank’s links with Capital Bank ensure it has a unique position to offer services to its customers in Iraq, which are not usually available to private Iraqi Banks.

Christophe and Rasmi later met with Hadi Damirji, a founding member, long-time supporter and board member of IBBC, who is based permanently in Amman. Discussions were held concerning launching a members group in Jordan to further enhance IBBC’s reach and communications in the Middle East.

IBBC also held a meeting with Bishr Baker, Managing Partner at EY Jordan & Iraq, a founding member company of the Iraq Britain Business Council at the EY offices in Amman, to discuss political events in the region and the Iraqi economy.

Christophe later travelled to Kuwait, to hold meetings with Mr Mansour Aboukhamseen, Executive Chairman of Kuwait Energy, also one of IBBC’s founding member companies. Discussions were held on the organisation’s important work and contribution in Iraq, as well as the relationship between the two countries and how best IBBC can support these ties.

The last meeting in Kuwait was held with Mrs Sara Akbar, who holds various positions within the Kuwaiti government and is involved in the planning of Kuwait’s future economic policy. She is also the non-executive director of IBBC member Petrofac and the CEO of Oil Serve Kuwait.