Christophe Michels, Managing Director of IBBC and Deputy Chairman, Rasmi Al-Jabri, hosted a dinner for IBBC Members at the Babylon Hotel in Baghdad on 19 September.

Representatives from Ernst & Young, Eversheds, GE, Management Partners and the International Islamic Bank, attended among others  and were joined by H.E. Istabraq Al Shouk the Deputy Ministry of Housing, Construction & Municipalities and a representative from Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr Michels and Mr Al-Jabri also visited the International Islamic Bank’s HQ in Baghdad to celebrate the first anniversary of the Bank, where they met Managing Director Eng. Suha AlKifaee.

IIB is audited by KPMG and consults Ernst & Young. It is the first Iraqi bank to print MasterCards in its facilities and has recently launched a pioneering mobile APP for customers. IIB is also planning to expand into internet banking, which will make it the first bank to provide online financial capabilities for its customers in Iraq.

The exceptional high standards met by IIB are largely down to modern management and intense international training absolved by its very young and often female staff.

During their stay in Baghdad, Mr Michels and Mr Al Jabri also had a meeting with DIT Iraq, the new EU Ambassador to Iraq and the Deputy Chairman of the National Investment Commission.