IBBC’s Deputy Chairman Attends Investment Conference in Baghdad, Discusses Current Construction Tenders with Deputy Minister of Electricity

Eng. Rasmi Al Jabri

Iraq Britain Business Council’s Deputy Chairman and Iraq Representative Eng. Rasmi Al Jabri speaking the the IBBC’s Spring Conference in April 2016

The Iraq Britain Business Council’s recently appointed Deputy Chairman and Iraq Representative Eng. Rasmi Al Jabri attended the Economic Conference for Investment Opportunities in Iraq held under the patronage of Prime Minister H.E. Dr Haider Al-Abadi on Monday 17 October 2016 in Baghdad. He met with several representatives from IBBC member companies at the event, including the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), SKA International, International Islamic Bank and Control Risks.

Dr Mahdi Al Alak, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, opened the conference on behalf of Prime Minister Al-Abadi. He spoke about the economic reform process undertaken by the Government of which the development of the private sector is a crucial component. Other speakers included Dr Torhan Al Mufti, Chairman of the High Commission for Coordination among the Provinces; Dr Sami Al Araji, Chairman of the National Investment Commission; Faisal Al Haimus, Chairman of TBI; and representatives from the World Bank and General Electric. A number of provincial governors and their officials also attended the conference.

An overview of the principal investment projects in Iraq and the economic reforms pushed through by Prime Minister Al-Abadi was also given at the conference, while challenges encountered by foreign investors were discussed during workshops held throughout the day. Conclusions and feedback from delegates were passed on to the Prime Minister’s office following the event.

The Deputy Minister of Electricity responsible for planning approached Eng. Al Jabri at the conference and said that two 160 MW power plants under construction by the Ministry of Electricity could not be finished due to a lack of funding. The Deputy Minister stated that the Ministry is looking for private investors to complete these projects, adding that he would be pleased to discuss the terms and conditions of the projects with interested parties. Eng. Al Jabri would be delighted to introduce interested IBBC members to the Deputy Minister.

Documents produced by the National Investment Commission on investment opportunities in Iraq and Iraq’s Investment law were circulated with delegates who attended the conference, and are available to download at the links below:

The Investment Law No (13) of 2006

Investor’s Guide to Iraq 2016

Iraq Investment Map 2016