Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force
This site is maintained by the Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force (IIRTF) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The IIRTF provides information and counseling to companies pursuing business opportunities in Iraq. [MORE]
Commerce Deputy Secretary Brings American Companies to Northern Iraq
Deputy Secretary John J. Sullivan recently led a business delegation comprised of nine U.S. companies to Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The nine companies represented a cross-section of the economy and included agri-business, franchising, financial, medical, construction, logistics and engineering sectors. The business delegation had opportunities to be briefed by senior officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and participate in discussions with Iraqi business leaders eager for collaboration with American companies.
Deputy Secretary Sullivan engaged KRG Deputy Prime Minister Omer Fattah Hussain, encouraging him to continue to work to attract an increased U.S. commercial presence to Iraq. The Department of Commerce delegation also held discussions with other KRG senior officials, and private sector representatives to discuss ways to help the Iraqi economy grow, boost jobs and become more integrated into the global economy. U.S. companies and their partners have already planned more than $600 million in commercial investments in the Kurdistan Region in sectors as diverse as education, housing, and industrial goods.
Aside from the official meetings, Deputy Secretary Sullivan also toured the Hawler Citadel, dating from the 6th millennium BC, and visited a local Ford dealership.
This was the first U.S. government trade mission to Iraq in 20 years and the first official mission to the Kurdistan Region.
Investing in Iraq’s Industrial Sectors
The Government of Iraq, led by the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MIM) is currently in the process of evaluating investor proposals to enter into joint venture partnerships between many of Iraq’s lucrative State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and international companies. These partnerships will permit investors to acquire production output from Iraq’s productive factories in exchange for investment of expertise and capital to improve and rehabilitate these assets. This initiative is part of a larger process to transition and modernize key industries through 2012. Minister of Industry and Minerals Fawzi Hariri has publicly confirmed that companies taking up these early ventures will have the right of first refusal on eventual privatization. The government has also established an investment board to oversee foreign direct investment in Iraq and the development of SOEs.
From April 19-20, 2008 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai, UAE, Iraq’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals convened to meet with foreign investors to discuss these deals. The two day summit, was attended by over 150 company executives from every corner of the globe who were met by an Iraqi delegation of 85 individuals, including senior officials from the Iraqi Ministry of Industry & Minerals and director generals from over 45 SOEs-the largest delegation seen at any commercial event on Iraq, according to event organizers.
Minister Hariri concluded the summit with a prestigious signing ceremony for two private-public partnerships: Kirkuk Cement Company and Al Qaim Cement. Iterating the successes of the summit, Minister Hariri said, “We have signed two very important contracts today for the cement industry, whereas in fact following the meetings of the past two days, I could have signed ten other similar deals.”
On May 8, 2008, MIM announced a further expansion of the SOEs eligible for such partnerships. These companies, many of which have long track records of success in the lucrative Iraqi market, come from various sectors, including engineering, cement, construction, petrochemicals, food processing, project management, services, and manufacturing. More information on these SOEs can be found online through the resources below or by contacting the U.S. Commerce Department’s Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force toll-free at: (866) 352-IRAQ or IraqInfo@mail.doc.gov.
Detailed company summaries on the individual SOEs and factories. (PDF)
May 8, 2008 announcement on additional SOEs available for partnership. (PDF)
For additional information, from Iraq’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals.
Compendium of resources on MIM SOEs.
Historic Erbil Citadel Seeks U.S. Archaeological Support
The Erbil Citadel lies in the middle of the Greater City of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Northern Iraq. The Erbil Citadel, also known as the Hawler Citadel (Hawler is the Kurdish word for Erbil, which is Arabic) is between 7,000 to 10,000 years old, making it one of the longest continuously inhabited sites on Earth. The existence of a plentiful supply of ground water sustained the Citadel's inhabitants throughout its long history. This ancient citadel witnessed the rule of many historical nations, like the Sumarians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Achaemenid Persians, Greeks, Iranian Parthians, Persian Sassanids, Ottomans, and the Muslim Caliphate. It’s rich history can be found along the winding, breezy alleyways of the town, the ornate dusty mosaics, old mosques, public baths, mixed architecture, and other historical intrigues.
Today it remains an oasis in the middle of modern Erbil, rising 38 meters (≈125 feet) above the heart of the busy central commercial district. Residents of the Citadel were relocated in 2007 to preserve the historical nature of the site, although a single family does remain. UNESCO has developed a project to rehabilitate a single site in the citadel and provide it with necessary supplies and equipment to serve as a focal point for the rehabilitation of the citadel and as a hosting place for cultural activities. The UNESCO restoration project provided a strategy to enforce local capacities in the field of conservation and restoration techniques, undertake study for urgent remedial works to prevent further damages and establish a Conservation Master Plan. It is hoped that after conservation and restoration, that the real age and origin of the citadel are discovered. A better understanding of the ancient Erbil Citadel requires systematic and scientific archaeological excavations to maintain the historical site.
The Citadel site director, Mr. Dara Al-Yaqubi, has expressed a strong desire to cooperate with U.S. universities, non-profits, or other organizations with historical, excavation, archaeological, and engineering support interested in becoming a part of the long, rich history of this truly special piece of our global heritage. For more information on the Citadel, visit, www.erbilcitadel.org, or contact Mr. Dara Al-Yaqubi at: dara.alyaqubi[at]erbilcitadel.org.
Boeing Signs $5 Billion Commercial Aircraft Deal with Government of Iraq
On May 5, 2008, Prime Minister of Iraq, Al Maliki hosted a ceremonial signing with Boeing representatives to announce the Government of Iraq's purchase of thirty 737 and ten 787 commercial aircraft. In collaboration with Embassy Baghdad, including the Senior Commercial Officer, the Transportation Attaché, and the Iraqi Ministry of Planning's Procurement Action Center, Boeing concluded negotiations with the Iraqi Minister of Finance on March 24th, with the signing of the Boeing agreement. On May 5th, Boeing representatives traveled to Baghdad at the invitation of the Prime Minister to attend the ceremonial signing and official announcement of the aircraft purchase. Guests included Ambassador Crocker, GEN David Petraeus, Minister of Finance Jabr Al-Zubaydi and Ahmed Al Saadawi, DG of Iraqi Airways. This agreement marks the single largest purchase ever made by the GOI.
Iraqi Businesses Optimistic on Economy and Security for 2008
February 29, 2008 – Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)
A recent survey shows that an overwhelming majority of Iraqi businesses are open to international trade and are optimistic for further economic growth and improvements in security for 2008. Business owners who participated in this survey were selected randomly from the registers of various Iraqi chambers of commerce and the Iraqi Businessmen Union. 78% of those business owners expect the economy to significantly grow over the next two years and the majority of business leaders (84%) believe security is better now than the previous year. Over 70% of Iraqi companies are open to working with international companies, expressing the belief that international trade and economic openness would improve their businesses and Iraq’s economy in general.
2008 Iraq Business Survey Presentation
Survey Results of the 2008 Iraq Business Survey
Previous Iraqi Business Surveys:
2005 - available in English and Arabic
2004 - available in English and Arabic
Read more about CIPE's work in Iraq
Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Travels to Baghdad to Promote Private Sector Growth and Participate in 2nd Meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Business Dialogue
Baghdad (Feb. 9)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez met with Iraqi and U.S. business leaders to collaborate on ways to strengthen Iraq’s economy and to build upon recent security gains that have resulted from the U.S. troop surge. “There is no better time than now for economic liberalization and the growth of the Iraqi private sector,” Gutierrez said. “We are committed to working with our Iraqi counterparts to attract private investment into the country because an economically prosperous Iraq will advance hope and peace in Iraq.” (Release) (Remarks)
In Baghdad, Secretary Gutierrez participated in the second meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Business Dialogue (USIBD). The creation of the Dialogue was one of the objectives Secretary Gutierrez outlined with Iraqi Minister of Trade Abd Al-Falah Al-Sudani during his 2006 visit to Baghdad. The USIBD is a bilateral council of private sector leaders from the United States and Iraq charged with advising the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Iraqi Minister of Trade on private sector views, needs, and concerns about Iraqi private sector growth and the expansion of U.S.-Iraq commercial relations. In Baghdad, the USIBD presented its first formal recommendations, including improving transparency in public procurement and the creation of a joint U.S.-Iraq initiative to restart dormant private Iraqi industry. Copies of the recommendations can be found here in English and Arabic.
Iraq’s Minister of Electricity Urges U.S. Companies to Bid on Iraq Projects
Washington, DC – December 10, 2007
Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, Dr. Karim W. Hasan, is urging U.S. companies to participate in the reconstruction of Iraq’s electricity sector by bidding on Ministry of Electricity projects. “We have the money, the manpower, and the fuel, but we need the material and the supervision”, Minister Karim said today at the U.S. Energy Association’s offices in Washington, DC. “I am here to urge U.S. companies to participate in Iraqi reconstruction”, said Minister Karim. The Ministry of Electricity plans to spend $27 billion from now to 2016 to build new generation and transmission capacity, as well as rehabilitate existing plants and equipment, in order to fill the 4,000 MW gap between current capacity and projected demand. In 2009 alone, the Ministry is seeking participation in projects for 2,260 MW of new generation capacity, and the rehabilitation of an additional 960 MW. Iraq also has bigger plans for its electrical system and is working with the Gulf Cooperation Council on long-term plans to serve as a conduit for off-season (winter) export of excess power to European markets (via Turkey) and with the World Bank on a new regulatory scheme that would permit the move from an exclusively publicly-owned system, to a privately owned system.
In the near-term, however, the Minister emphasized the urgent need for U.S. companies to bid on current projects. The Ministry is posting these projects on its website: http://www.moelc.gov.iq/ (click on “Tenders” on the right side). Minister Karim also emphasized the readiness of his staff to engage with companies who have questions about these projects: “Companies will have no difficulties in finding out any specifications of any tender,” Minister Karim promised. Email addresses at the relevant directorates are almost always included in Ministry of Electricity tender announcements. The Ministry is also working with its partners at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to further streamline and improve the tendering process. Minister Karim subsequently spoke at the PowerGen show in New Orleans on Thursday, December 13. Refer to Minister Karim’s powerpoint presentation, “Conquering Disaster: Iraq’s Electricity Story” for more information.
U.S. companies interested in bidding on Ministry of Electricity tenders must first either register their company directly with Iraq’s Ministry of Trade (http://www.br-iraq.com/) or partner with a local firm for their bidding. For help on either process, or to find out more about doing business in Iraq in general and with the Ministry of Electricity in particular, information is available on this webiste and at http://www.buyusa.gov/iraq or contact us directly at: IraqInfo@mail.doc.gov or 1-866-352-IRAQ.
Trade Bank of Iraq President meets with Department of Commerce Officials
Washington, DC – November 27, 2007
The President and Chairman of the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), Mr. Hussein Al-Uzri, met with Department of Commerce officials to increase awareness of TBI’s activities and the opportunities it holds for U.S. investors.
TBI was created in November 2003 and entered into contact with a consortium of global financial institutions led by JPMorgan Chase. During its four years of operation TBI has issued 4,600 Letters of Credit (LCs) worth more than US$20 billion, providing reliable financial services needed for trade facilitation in the reconstruction process. TBI serves primarily as the financial baker of Iraqi government procurements offered by Iraqi government ministries and state-owned enterprises, providing bidding companies with the financial security that comes with 100% backing by the world's leading financial institutions.
Furthermore, Mr. Al-Uzri’s mission as TBI’s president and chairman is to develop the most up-to-date mechanism and automation of trade financing operations in line with Iraq’s transition to an open market economy and uphold the principles of good corporate governance. TBI is currently working with the private sector banks in distributing LCs through private Iraqi banks. Next year TBI plans to increase its domestic branch network and its international presence, including representative offices and branches in leading financial centers in Europe and the Middle East. The bank has already recruited top bankers to enhance its governance and procedures, which it will be implementing this year. TBI also plans to further enhance its role in project finance in the coming months and years. Already this year it has supported the first private power plant in Iraq, which is being built in the northern part of the country.
U.S. Department of Commerce officials expressed their continued support of TBI's efforts. For more information about TBI, please visit http://www.tbiraq.com/ to learn more.