Last week (4-5 April) The Rt Hon David Willetts MP – UK Minister for Universities and Science – visited Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and brought with him a delegation of 12 senior representatives from UK Higher and Further Education. The delegation included three University Vice Chancellors and the Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges.

The Minister arrived on the eve of a government transition and met with both outgoing and incoming KRG Ministers of Higher Education – Dr Dlawar Ala’Aldeen and Dr Ali Saeed. He also met with a dozen incoming/outgoing Ministers at a reception held on 4th April in the presence of some 140 guests from the public and private sector.

The Ministerial visit coincided with a UK Education Tour to Erbil which saw a further 12 UK Universities in the Kurdistan Region, giving a total of more than 20 UK universities and colleges represented in the city. This offered a unique opportunity for Kurdish students and university officials alike to develop contacts and build for the future.

On the first day Minister Willets and the Minsters of Higher Education – Dr Dlawar Ala’Aldeen and Dr Ali Saeed – held a Knowledge Exchange Seminar with UK and Kurdish Universities, with over 70 delegates attending. Themes that emerged were a range of possibilities for collaboration between UK and KR universities: the need for high quality English language provision in the KR; supporting KR universities in provision of accreditation, external degrees and quality assurance; opportunities for UK universities to establish campuses in KR; and student and academic exchanges.

Chris Bowers, the British Consul General in Erbil said:

“So far, some one thousand six hundred students have left Kurdistan Region to study in the UK in the past year or so – a bright future awaits them. For much of its recent history the Kurdistan Region was isolated and cut off from the international academic community. That is a thing of the past. Over the last year, there has been a real flowering of international academic exchanges with the UK. We are proud that so many Kurdish students have chosen to study in the UK. We think they have made a great decision – UK is a world leader in higher education and a great place to live and work.”

Minister Willetts ended his trip with a photo opportunity with Ms Talar Faiq (Director of the Erbil International Airport) and spoke about the successful business collaboration between UK (Scott Wilson) and Turkish (Mykol) companies in designing (UK) and constructing (Turkey) the new Airport building which was officially opened in April 2011.

(Source: Foreign and Commonwealth Office)

The 2013 edition of the definitive guide on doing business in Iraq, The New Iraq – Discovering Business, is underway.

Produced by allurentis and in association with the National Investment Commission of Iraq and UK Trade and Investment, it provides a comprehensive framework on conducting business in Iraq and is an invaluable reference source for companies either considering entering the Iraq market or for those already operating there.

Its practical, informative sections feature Iraq’s legal system, banking and finance, investment, infrastructure and industry sectors.

Containing articles from experts working in Iraq, it provides an exhaustive insight into Iraq today as the country opens its doors for business.

“Iraq is making major strides in rebuilding its economy – opportunities to trade and invest are growing fast and now is the time to get involved. If you are considering doing business in Iraq or want to find out more then ‘The New Iraq – Discovering Business’ should be your first port of call,” said Laura Curtis (pictured), Managing Director of allurentis.

The 2013 book, the 4th in the series, will be published in autumn 2012. To receive a copy of the current 2012 edition, please click here.

For further information or should your company wish to be involved, please contact laura.curtis@allurentis.com

A leading British trade association last week visited the Kurdistan Region for the 10th time, helping to cement Kurdistan’s commercial ties with the UK.

The 26-strong Middle East Association (MEA) trade mission met universities, government ministers and officials, and business organisations.

Mr David Lloyd, the mission leader and Senior Consultant to the MEA, said, “This is my eighth visit to the Kurdistan Region. Every time I come, there are new buildings, roads and projects.” He added, “I’m also very pleased that we have some leading universities on this mission, and that so many Kurds are choosing to study at UK higher education institutions.”

The delegates heard about the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) plans for its 2012 budget of 12 billion US dollars, which include water treatment, waste recycling, power generation, social housing, and continuing the KRG Masters and PhD scholarships abroad. They also saw the designs for tram systems for all three of the Kurdistan Region’s cities, although these have not yet been approved for implementation.

Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, the KRG’s Head of Foreign Relations, spoke at a business networking dinner for the MEA mission that was hosted by the Kurdistan Business Group. The Minister outlined the needs of several particularly significant sectors and discussed the importance of continued educational development and support. “We need the knowledge and expertise of the international community to help us achieve our potential,” he said, concluding: “Our needs are your opportunity.”

Mr Lloyd noted that although slow to start, UK companies are now more aware of the opportunities in Kurdistan. Over the last five months alone, the MEA has brought 100 companies to the Region, and plans to bring more for the October 2012 Erbil International Fair.

Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the KRG Representative to the UK, said, “The UK now has the third highest number of registered foreign companies in the Kurdistan Region, behind Turkey and Iran. That is testament to our growing trade links and our efforts to introduce British companies to our market.”

The British companies and organisations on the mission covered two broad areas: education and training, and infrastructure and construction. They were hosted at networking events organised by the Erbil and Suleimaniah chambers of commerce, the Kurdistan Investors Union, the Kurdistan Contractors Union, and the Kurdistan Business Group. Their visit was organised by the KRG UK Representation and the Department of Foreign Relations.

(Source: KRG)

The Government of the United States and the Government of Iraq strongly support the preservation and expression of Iraq’s rich heritage, the establishment of a strong Iraqi education system at all levels, and the continuation of robust educational, cultural, and professional exchanges between our nations. The U.S.-Iraq Joint Coordinating Committee on Cultural and Educational Cooperation met in March 2011 in Baghdad, and in February 2012 in Washington, D.C.

Higher Education:

The United States and Iraq are working together to build a strong Iraqi higher education system with long-term links with U.S. academic institutions. U.S. and Iraqi efforts helped increase the number of Iraqi students studying in the United States by more than 45 percent to 616 students in the 2010-2011 academic year over the previous year. An EducationUSA education advising event featuring up to 10 universities will be held in April 2012, building on the success of the first-ever fair in Erbil in October 2011.

Through educational advising, we will continue to provide accurate information about U.S. higher education to Iraqi students who aspire to study at U.S. institutions. Hundreds of Iraqi students and scholars have studied or conducted research in the U.S. through the Fulbright Program, with 35 students and 35 faculty expected to participate in the 2012-13 academic year.

Seven U.S. and seven Iraqi universities participate in the Iraq University Linkages Program, which pairs U.S. and Iraqi faculty and administrators to strengthen university curricula, enhance and update teaching methods and technology, and improve career services for students. The current linkages match Basrah University with Oklahoma State University; Salahaddin University with the University of Cincinnati; Tikrit University with Ball State University; Kufa University with the University of Kentucky; Baghdad University with Georgia State University; the University of Dohuk with Michigan State University; and the University of Technology with the University of Missouri at Columbia.

Businesses considering entering the Iraqi market are being offered a second free seminar, to explore further the considerations for operating in Iraq.

The second of a series of “Opportunity Iraq” seminars is being delivered by Upper Quartile as part of Aberdeen City Council’s international trade and investment team’s support services. This will deal with the commercial aspects of managing and building a commercial operation in Iraq and in particularly Basra.

The Seminar will be held in Marischal College on Friday 27 January, with presentations commencing at 2pm and concluding by 5pm.

Presenters include representatives from AAIB Insurance, who offer specialist insurance in high-risk markets including Iraq Insurance; Blue Hackle, who offer security in Iraq and an Iraqi national whose business helps foreign companies set up in Iraq.

Companies attending the seminar will have the opportunity to discuss specific issues relating to their business with the speakers, representatives of both Upper Quartile and Aberdeen City Council.

Please click here to download futher details and agenda.

The EIC is organising an oil and gas trade mission to Basra in Iraq.

Missioners will have the opportunity to attend organised group meetings with key local players, as well as incorporating a briefing meeting presented by qualified speakers with in-market experience and the opportunity to meet with local companies.

Why Iraq?

As Iraq works to rebuild its economy and infrastructure after years of war and internal strife, the engagement of UK businesses will be an important factor in the success of those efforts. During the past several years, in the face of many political challenges, Iraq‘s economy has made impressive strides.

Iraq‘s gross domestic product, which was $57 billion in 2007, has grown to more than $80 billion in 2011. In its 2010–2014 national development plan, the government has budgeted more than $186 billion for some 2,700 projects in different sectors.

Iraq holds one of the principal hydrocarbon reserves in the world. With proven reserves estimated at 143 billion barrels, the country‘s undiscovered oil reserve is considered to have the second largest reserve in the world — possibly 300 billion barrels. Iraq also has reserves of gas of 3.2 trillion cubic metres, and is also rich in other minerals, including sulphur, phosphate and iron.

There are also many opportunities in the country‘s power sector, as the government has targeted billions of dollars to restore and meet Iraq‘s increasing need for power. Areas of opportunity include power plants, transmission and distribution, and renewable energy.

As Iraq moves forward with its new government, there are tremendous opportunities for UK companies to develop business.

The deadline for returning booking forms is Friday 6th January 2012. Please click here for full details and booking form.

The Middle East Association, in partnership with UK Trade & Investment and the Kurdistan Regional Government, will be leading a Trade Delegation to Iraqi Kurdistan in the spring of 2012, visiting Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Mission Participants will have the opportunity to meet government ministers, senior business leaders, and the local Chambers of Commerce.

The Kurdistan region remains one of the MEA’s major success stories. In October we took the largest UK trade delegation to the region to date, which was also the largest trade mission from the UK anywhere in the world this year.

Mission Focus:

Our spring mission will have a particular focus on education & training, and construction & infrastructure. Each of these areas of interest will have a comprehensive sector-specific mission programme organised by the KRG.

The KRG are especially keen to welcome representatives from British universities and other well-respected institutions to develop a variety of educational links. Given the current construction and infrastructure boom, the MEA would also like to encourage participants from organisations that would be well-placed to contribute to developing the major infrastructure requirements of the Kurdistan region as it accelerates towards being a major commercial and cultural hub in the broader region.

Investing in Iraqi Kurdistan:

The stable security situation in Kurdistan has lent itself to business prosperity. Economically, the region is moving rapidly ahead of the rest of Iraq, and the economy’s growth this year is expected to be over 7%. It also has one of the friendliest investment laws in the Middle East.

Currently, 68 UK companies are registered in Kurdistan, making the UK the third largest foreign presence in the region. British-Kurdish relations are strong, and British business is welcomed and encouraged for the high quality of its skills, expertise, and products. More can be read about British-Kurdish relations and British investment in Kurdistan here.

‘Introducing the Kurdistan Market’: Pre-Mission Market Briefing, Wednesday 18th January

The Middle East Association will be hosting ‘Introducing the Kurdistan Market’ at Bury House on Wednesday 18th January, a market briefing ahead of the trade mission.

This event is free, although priority will be given to MEA Members.

Our panel will include senior representation from the Kurdistan Region Government and the Middle East Association, who will give market advice and inform you of the fantastic potential of the Kurdistan market. It will also be an excellent opportunity to raise any questions and queries you might have about investing in the region.

On the panel will be:

• David Lloyd, Mission Leader and Senior Consultant, Middle East Association
• Vian Rahman, Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the UK
• Carl Bruce, Senior Country Manager – Iraq, UK Trade & Investment
• Lyndsay Snowden, MEA Trade Missions Manager, CT Group Travel
• Kawa Besarani, Managing Director, Besarani Trading (Kurdish-British businessman)

This seminar will be of particular interest to those as yet unfamiliar with the Kurdistan region and those thinking of participating in the trade mission, although all are welcome.

The event will begin at 16.30 with Registration and Refreshments. Presentations will be from 17.00, followed by Q&A, lasting until about 18.30. To attend, please email your name, position, company, and reason for attending to chrism@the-mea.co.uk. As this is a free event with a limited number of places, we recommend that you sign up as soon as possible.

Participating on the Trade Mission

To sign up for a mission prospectus, please contact our Mission Managers, CT Group Travel, at mea@ctgrouptravel.co.uk or 01892 673 435. The prospectus will give full details of the mission programme and costs.

We hope to see you on January 18th – and on the mission.

Please click here to download further details and contact form.

The EIC is organising an oil and gas trade mission to Basra in Iraq.

Missioners will have the opportunity to attend organised group meetings with key local players, as well as incorporating a briefing meeting presented by qualified speakers with in-market experience and the opportunity to meet with local companies.

Why Iraq?

As Iraq works to rebuild its economy and infrastructure after years of war and internal strife, the engagement of UK businesses will be an important factor in the success of those efforts. During the past several years, in the face of many political challenges, Iraq‘s economy has made impressive strides.

Iraq‘s gross domestic product, which was $57 billion in 2007, has grown to more than $80 billion in 2011. In its 2010–2014 national development plan, the government has budgeted more than $186 billion for some 2,700 projects in different sectors.

Iraq holds one of the principal hydrocarbon reserves in the world. With proven reserves estimated at 143 billion barrels, the country‘s undiscovered oil reserve is considered to have the second largest reserve in the world — possibly 300 billion barrels. Iraq also has reserves of gas of 3.2 trillion cubic metres, and is also rich in other minerals, including sulphur, phosphate and iron.

There are also many opportunities in the country‘s power sector, as the government has targeted billions of dollars to restore and meet Iraq‘s increasing need for power. Areas of opportunity include power plants, transmission and distribution, and renewable energy.

As Iraq moves forward with its new government, there are tremendous opportunities for UK companies to develop business.

There is priority booking for EIC members until 9th December. Please click here for full details and booking form.