Iraq Business & Investment Conference (IBIC)
28-30 August 2007
Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai
Conference Overview
The first of three conferences, IBIC #1 will bring together:
Companies based in Southern Iraq looking for investors,
Entrepreneurs with plans to start a business in Southern Iraq,
Iraqi government officials responsible for myriad aspects of investment in Iraq, including investment laws and publicly-private investment partnerships, and
Investors (both domestic and international) seeking opportunities to invest in businesses in Southern Iraq.
Unique to other conferences on Iraq, IBIC will be a venue for companies with clearly defined projects in need of outside financing to meet with qualified investors. Investment opportunities will range from smaller businesses in need of a minimum of $1 million in financing to large enterprises seeking $200 million. No specific industry is targeted. Instead, the conference is focused on clearly defined investment opportunities that are ready to move forward immediately.
The conference will also include discussions on the investment environment and related laws in Iraq. Conferences #2 and 3 will follow later in 2007, focusing on investment opportunities in Central and Northern Iraq.
Iraqi Government Participation
The conference will be presented under the patronage of HE VP Dr. Adel Abdul Mehdi, with active participation from a wide range of Iraqi government officials involved in facilitating investment in Iraq. Speakers include (tentative, to be confirmed):
Dr. Abd Al-Falah Al-Sudani, Minister of Trade
Mr. Bayan Jabr, Minister of Finance
MR. Fawzi Al Hariri, Minister of Industry and Minerals
Mr. Hasan Al-Sari – State Minister for Marshes Affairs
Mr. Thamer Al Ghadban, Chairman, Investment Commission
Dr. Senan Al-Shibibi, Chairman, Iraqi Central bank
Mr. Husain Al-Uzri, Chairman, Trade Bank of Iraq
Dr. Subhi Al-Jumaily, Deputy Minister of Agriculture
Dr. Mahdi Al-Allaq, Deputy Minister of Planning
Mr. Abdul Razzaq Hassan – Senior Advisor, Ministry Of Transportation
Mr. Baha Al- Mayyah – Senior Advisor, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Mr. Mohammad Al-Ani, Deputy MIM
Governors from each of 6 Southern Iraqi provinces
Investment Environment Discussions
Iraqi government representatives will discuss the following subjects:
Legal investment environment
Business transformation efforts
Banking and fiscal policies
Trade and commerce highlights
State owned enterprises
Agriculture and agri-business
Provincial Government-supported projects
Reconstruction and contracting opportunities
Recent success stories
Free zones and industrial parks
Investment Opportunities
While high-level policy discussions occur in the main ballroom, four smaller conference rooms will host break-out sessions where Iraqi companies will present overviews of their businesses and discuss opportunities for outside investors to participate. Companies presenting include (tentative, to be confirmed):
Basrah Iron & Steel Company (seeking Joint Venture partner)
Basrah Petrochemical Company (seeking Joint Venture partner)
Basrah Fertilizer Company (seeking Joint Venture partner)
Three other State Owned Enterprises TBD (seeking Joint Venture partner)
Various private companies holding licenses to build new 100% privately owned cement factories in Southern Iraq
Various private companies in Southern Iraq looking for outside investors to expand operations (TBD)
Investors & Lenders
Investors will include both Iraqi and foreign entities, with an emphasis on regional companies with a track record of investing in the Middle East. The Iraqi Middle Market Development Foundation (IMMDF) will also be present to assess Iraqi companies looking for debt financing. IMMDF makes $200K to $5 million loans exclusively to Iraqi companies.
Points of Contact
for visa information iraqconferences@yahoo.com
for conference information - Bassel Amaneddin (Dubai)
Bassel.amaneddine@ifpemirates.com
Agenda for IBIC