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Having had to postpone its autumn conference earlier this year, the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) has confirmed that it has received full UAE Government approval to hold its conference on Sunday 18th December.

It has convened 20 of the top decision-makers from the Government of Iraq and key industry sectors, who will come together at the IBBC Autumn Conference in Dubai to discuss the dynamic energy and financial landscape, as well as key opportunities to be seized.

Attendees will gain insights from leading government and industry leaders, including:

• H.E. Jabbar A.H. Al-Luiebi, Minister of Oil, Iraq
• Marcus Antonini, Vice President and Country Chairman, Shell Iraq
• Ariel Flores, GM, BP (Rumaila Operating Organisation)
• Marwa Al Nasaa, Resident Representative for Iraq, International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• Zeeshan Sheikh, Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• Gavin Rennie, Global Power and Utilities Emerging Markets Leader, Ernst & Young
• Dennis Flannery, Managing Director, Iraq Country Head & Representative, Citibank

The four conference sessions will focus on:

• Session 1: The Iraq Oil and Gas Sector in 2016
• Session 2: Opportunities in Power Generation/Electricity Supply
• Session 3: Finance
• Session 4: Opportunities for the Private Sector

Among the companies already signed up for the conference are:

• AMEC Foster Wheeler
• BP
• China Petroleum Engineering
• Citibank
• DOME Group
• Exxon
• EY
• Garda World
• GE
• Gulftainer
• Harlow International
• International Islamic Bank
• Khudairy Group
• Marubeni Itochu Steel
• Olive Group
• Penspen
• Petronas
• Perkins+Will
• PwC
• Restrata
• ROO
• Severn Glocon
• Shell
• Siemens
• SKA
• Solar Turbines
• Stephenson Horwood
• Weir Group
• URUK Engineering

Register now if you would like to:

• Find out more about the strategy of global oil and gas majors in Iraq
• Understand what OPEC cuts mean for businesses in the Middle East
• Learn about new opportunities in Iraq that have arisen following the IMF deal and how to get involved
• Network with key industry figures, business partners and prospects

With rising oil prices, an IMF loan and increasing security, the opportunity for new business in Iraq is clear.

Book your spot at this must-attend conference now for £700!

Register Now

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(Source: IBBC)

By John Lee.

GE, Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) have reportedly signed a financing MoU to accelerate the development of power and infrastructure projects in Iraq.

According to TradeArabia, a similar financing agreement with the three entities earlier this year facilitated the completion of the first phase of the ‘Power Up Plan’ signed by GE with the Ministry of Electricity to deliver more than 700 MW of power.

It adds that over the past year GE has attracted "more than nine" (sic) major global export credit agencies to Iraq, resulting in significant project investment commitment.

(Source: TradeArabia)

The total number of individuals currently displaced in the Mosul emergency now tops 56,400 according to data released on Tuesday by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Since military operations to retake Mosul from ISIL began last month, IOM's Iraq Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Emergency Tracking shows population movement away from the combat zone has more than doubled in the past ten days, from 22,224 on 4 November to 56,412 last night.

Some 48,750 men, women and children have now been displaced from Mosul district alone. Another almost 5,000 have been displaced from Al-Hamdaniya district, with smaller numbers of people displaced from Telefar, Makhmour and Tilkhaif.

IOM Iraq’s DTM is used by the government and humanitarian agencies to guide the humanitarian response. Emergency Tracking for Mosul began identifying people displaced by military operations around Mosul on 17 October.

On 14 November, approximately 200 families from Markaz, a Mosul sub-district, arrived to Khazer M1 camp. Another approximately 150 families from Baashiqa sub-district moved to Zelikan camp after security screening in Nargazliyah.

“The numbers so far are not as large as expected,” IOM Director General William Lacy Swing said earlier this month. “We'd heard figures all the way up to 500,000 or 700,000. We are trying to prepare accordingly.”

The Displacement Tracking Matrix also indicates that close to 98 percent of all those leaving Mosul are displaced within Ninewa governorate in northern Iraq, where IOM continues to add capacity in shelter and other inputs in anticipation of growing numbers of displaced families.

East of Mosul, IOM is constructing an emergency site at Qayara Airstrip, which initially will comprise 5,000 plots. Some 68 percent of the work had been completed by yesterday (14/11) with 3,600 plots demarcated and 1,200 tents already erected. A total of 3,000 tents will be on site by the end of today (15/11), according to site managers.

As the battle to recapture Mosul intensifies, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is increasingly concerned about the fate of 1.2 million Iraqis trapped in the city, who tell of desperate conditions trying to survive.

Close to 50,000 people have fled Mosul since the military offensive began on 17 October to recapture the city from ISIS. The number of people displaced increased drastically in the past week alone, with more than 20,000 people recorded, compared to some 6,000 the week before.

“Civilians have told us of horrific stories from inside Mosul. They have given terrifying accounts of ISIS moving them from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, and from house to house, in tactics identical with being used as human shields,” said NRC’s Country Director in Iraq, Wolfgang Gressmann.

Civilians are also repeatedly being caught in the crossfire. One father NRC spoke with said three members of his family were killed when their house was shelled. The mother and her two children escaped alive, but all three were badly burnt.

Parents told us about not being able to take injured family members to hospital because of the repeated shelling. Some people had not eaten for days, having run out of food and too afraid to leave their homes.

NRC is also concerned about harrowing reports of civilians being hanged, beheaded and tortured.

“Civilians must not be used as weapons of war,” warned Gressmann. “Innocent men, women and children must be protected. Clear rules govern war and these rules need to be respected by all sides.”

People who have fled Mosul are increasingly afraid to speak publically about their experiences under ISIS, for fear of retaliation on family members still trapped inside the city.

UNDP helps to ensure access to safe water and reliable electricity for over 100,000 people in the Governorate of Erbil

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Governorate of Erbil have signed two agreements to rehabilitate key infrastructure in areas hosting thousands of displaced people, including large numbers who have fled from Mosul.

With generous funding from the German Development Bank (KfW), UNDP’s Iraq Crisis Response and Resilience Programme (ICRRP) and the Governorate of Erbil will rehabilitate and upgrade the main water treatment plant in Rawanduz, where the local population has more than doubled in size with an influx of displaced people, in order to alleviate chronic water shortages and improve health conditions for the local population.

In Debaga sub-district, UNDP and local authorities will rehabilitate the electrical network, improving the supply of electricity to the local population and thousands of displaced people, many of whom are from Mosul. In total, more than 100,000 people will benefit from these two projects.

Governor of Erbil, H.E. Mr. Nawzad Hadi, said:

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with UNDP to strengthen basic service delivery in the Erbil Governorate and address the increasing needs of residents and displaced people, including hundreds of people who fled from Mosul.”

UNDP’s Head of Stabilization and Resilience, Mr. Joe Feeney, said:

“UNDP is pleased to support the Governorate of Erbil as it continues to provide basic services to its community and an ever-growing population of displaced people. At a time when so many families are in acute need and local governments continue to strain already over-burdened resources, we are confident that these projects will help to alleviate some of this demand.”

Consul for Political and Humanitarian Affairs at the German Consulate in Erbil, Dr. Lars-Uwe Kettner, said:

“This integrated approach is a big step forward in order to improve the lives of displaced people and host communities. Water is the basis of our existence and of foremost importance. Without electricity we cannot imagine our lives any more. We are happy to work with such committed and very strong partners who make sure that the support reaches the people in need.”

UNDP’s ICRRP provides fast-track support to vulnerable families in newly liberated cities and villages where social tensions threaten community cohesion. ICRRP is currently active in eleven newly liberated communities in Diyala, Salah al Din and Ninewah Governorates and is expected to expand to nearly 30 locations in the months ahead.

ICRRP is designed as a resilience and recovery programme to help families withstand the multi-dimensional shocks associated with post-liberation and large-scale returns.

(Source: ReliefWeb)

Kurdistan’s Oil & Gas Leaders to Hold Official Annual Meeting in London

The Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq is to hold the sixth official Kurdistan-Iraq Oil & Gas Conference in London, on 5-7 December 2016 to drive forward the oil and gas development in the Region of Kurdistan.

Energy events experts CWC Group has hosted and grown the event over the years to become the gateway to the oil and gas business for the Kurdistan Region offering a unique platform for the global oil and gas industry.

The event is renowned for gathering Kurdistan’s Government representatives with global oil and gas leaders to discuss current opportunities, network and build partnerships to drive the industry forward.

Sponsored by an range of established companies: Star Light, ExxonMobil, Chevron, DNO, Gazprom, Qaiwan, KAR Group, Genel Energy, Gulf Keystone, Renwa Group, Petoil, Gardaworld, Iraqoil, Gas Liquids Engineering, Gas plus New Age, Hunt Oil Middle East, WesternZagros and SMB Group, the event will dedicate the two initial days to strategic panel discussions and a third day to the Security Seminar, focused on Protecting Critical Infrastructure in the region; a key aspect for any economic progress in Iraq.

Distinguished Speakers of the Conference Include:

• E Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
• E Dr Ashti Hawrami, Minister of Natural Resources, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
• E Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
• Dr Amanj Raheem, Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government Cabinet Secretary & Chief Legal Advisor, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
• Najmaldin Karim, Governor of Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq
• Saad Sadollah, Commercial & Business Development Advisor, Ministry of Natural Resources, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
• Ian MacDonald, Vice President, Europe, Eurasia and Middle East Exploration and Production, Chevron
• Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani, Executive Chairman, DNO ASA
• Murat Ozgul, CEO, Genel Energy Plc
• Jón Ferrier, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd

(View the full speaker list here)

Following the official opening keynote from the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Natural Resources, the speakers will address important topics for the industry, dedicating a session to each of the following:

• Kurdistan’s Oil & Gas Operators: Transforming the Region into an Energy Hub
• Oil & Gas Infrastructure Development, the Catalyst for the Region’s Development
• Kurdistan’s Electricity Infrastructure; Innovation, Progress & Plans
• Kurdistan’s Gas : Potential & Opportunities
• Creating Value through Large Projects; Evaluating Kurdistan Oil & Gas Investment Strategies
• Integrated Telecommunications Services & Solutions for Kurdistan Energy Projects

 (View the full programme here)

(Source: CWC)

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has invested a total of $410 million (including $125 million in mobilization) in Iraq to support the development of the nation’s private sector, with a special emphasis on improving access to vital infrastructure and supporting the manufacturing sector.

In fiscal year 2016, IFC finalized a $375 million financing package for a leading private Iraqi power company to help provide electricity to millions of people across the country, particularly in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where a migrant crisis has strained power infrastructure.

Ziad Badr, IFC Principal Country Officer in Iraq, said:

“Iraq is a priority country for IFC in the region. The current security situation and sharp drop in oil prices highlights the need to foster a diversified economy and boost economic growth.

"With over 90 percent of government revenues generated from the oil sector, IFC’s support to the private sector is crucial for the growth of the non-oil economy and creation of jobs.”

Since FY11, IFC has invested $1.1 billion in long-term financing in Iraq (including $378 million mobilized from other investors and $8.3 million from MIGA). IFC’s portfolio currently stands at $441 million.

IFC investment and advisory projects focus on boosting trade, increasing South-South investments, improving infrastructure, and bolstering access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises.

(Source: IFC)

Ministry of Health and Environment in coordination with the National Investment Commission (NIC) are announcing an investment opportunity to build disease testing labs in Baghdad (according to investment law No. 13 for the year 2006 as amended and the regulations issued in its accordance) according to the specifications shown below:

1. The investing company is required to rent buildings or apartments to be specified to establish the testing labs referred to above.
2. The labs are to be supervised by the Ministry of Health and Environment / department of technical affairs/ testing labs section.
3. These labs are to be supported by sending them patients from the public health institutions in case they do not have the necessary lab testing.
4. The procedures mentioned in the regulations No. (2) for the year 2006 ( of granting the license of practicing the private lab work for disease analysis) are to be applied in opening these labs in all specializations.
5. The labs are to consist of two floors or more :

Ground floor: a big hall of (85-100 m²) to be divided according to the number of sections and specializations with providing all medical and office services.

The first floor: consists of (2) pedagogic halls at least in order to conduct training courses in coordination with the section of graduated students and trainees.

The lab is to be an independent building and not annexed with any irrelative commercial utility.

6. The lab is to be equipped by the investing company with all modern and developed equipments (Automation) according to the need of the testing units intended to be activated with providing the quality control materials in coordination with the testing labs section in the Ministry of Health.
7. Providing the building with all office furniture, air conditioning systems, and furnishing the pedagogic halls in a way that match the work volume.
8. The investment company pledges to pay all building dues of electricity and water supply bills in case of submitting to renting and taxing system.
9. Training all private and public colleges’ graduates concerned with the testing labs work with organizing vocational training courses, against prepaid fees, through which trainees are to be theoretically and practically evaluated and appreciation certificates will be awarded to the passers by the testing labs section in the Ministry of Health.
10. The company pledges to train the workers of the lab to use the modern devices, place and period are to be specified later.

All interested companies and investors are invited to submit their applications to the Ministry of Health and Environment / Private Health sector section or to the National Investment Commission through the email address ([email protected] ) knowing that the closing date is 15.11.2016.

(Source: NIC)

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has inaugurated newly renovated residential units in Anbar University, located in Ramadi, Anbar Governorate.

With generous contribution from the Government of Japan, the renovation of the residential units was implemented under the project titled “Promoting Urban Recovery in Newly Liberated Areas in Iraq.”

As other public facilities and major infrastructure in the city, the premises of the university was one of the earliest largely devastated sites by ISIL.

Classrooms and residential buildings of Anbar University were severely damaged. Upon request from the Anbar Governorate, UN-Habitat renovated 92 residential units in the university compound for female students, which can accommodate around 400 individuals, to be ready for the beginning of the new academic semester in October 2016.

The units are provided with water and sanitation facilities, electricity, and ceiling fans.

UN-Habitat promotes community-based reconstruction in crisis-affected areas. The current intervention to rehabilitate the residential units in Anbar University is complementary component under the agency’s Urban Recovery Programme.

Dr. Erfan Ali, UN-Habitat’s Country Representative, confirmed in the event that “The community-based approach under the Urban Recovery initiative will empower the community members socially and economically, enabling them to plan and manage their own activities for more peaceful and stable community”.

He added that the reactivation of the university’s role would contribute to accelerate IDPs return. He also emphasized on the importance of targeting female students to support their academic and research re-engagement, and to play an active role as agents of positive and constructive change.

(Source: UN)

CWC’s third Basra Oil, Gas and Infrastructure Conference will take place this year in Beirut, Lebanon on 24-25 of October 2016.

In a pre-conference interview with the Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee of Basra Council, Mr Ali Fares outlined the most important issues that the Basra delegation will focus on during the conference, the challenges facing the province and ways to improve the circumstances.

Mr Fares also spoke about training and development:

“After our continuous efforts to find job opportunities for the people of the Basra Governorate, particularly the young people who live close to the oil fields, we were shocked by the conditions the oil companies impose on the young workers who lack the skills required. In addition to asking the local workforce for international certificates, this allows the companies to import foreign workforce… at the Council of the Governorate we worked on a legislation called Investment in Human Resources and Job Management number 302 to train and prepare the young people who are in search of work.

"We had the approval from the Ministry of Oil to allocate 30% of the Social Benefits to train the young people. The first step is already underway to train 120 young people, teaching them vocational jobs to enable them to work for the oil companies.”

Iraq’s Ministry of Oil obtained a $2.1 billion loan from Japan for the rehabilitation of the Basra Oil Refinery in a bid to increase production capacity. Highlighting the importance of the loan, Mr Fares, who is also a law specialist said that a number of strategic and important projects have been agreed to including the hydrogenation of gasoil with the capacity of 20,000 barrels per day (bpd) as well as a cracking unit using GCC – the largest of its kind among the refinery projects.