Thread: Archive Latest News - Think Tank - 01/01/08 - 14/04/08

Iraqi arena can take all international companies

Iraqi Minister for Finance, Mr. Baqir Jabr Al-Zubaidi, received Mr. Marcez, the Greek Ambassador in Baghdad. During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of strengthening them in order to serve the interests of the two friendly nations.

The Finance Minister stressed the need for Greek companies to participate in the reconstruction process in a way that strengthens the relations, and especially the economic ones, between the two countries.

Al-Zubaidi said that the economic arena Iraqi can take all Greek companies with the various comp****ce such as water, sewage, construction of housing units, hospitals, encouraging industrial sectors and others, pointing out that the signing of the (MEGA) Convention by Iraq came to preserve the rights of investing companies in Iraq and that the investment budget for this year , which amounted to 19.5 billion dollars, comes within the framework of supporting and encouraging investment sector by the Iraqi government; this sector will witness a qualitative leap this year because of the security improvements witnessed by Iraq following the elimination of al-Qaida terrorist organization, which will provide a suitable platform or the activities of these companies.

They also discussed the file of the Iraqi debts which amounted to some $229 million and were the consequences of the reckless fiscal policies of the deposed regime.

http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=5503

Kurds threaten to use presidential veto against the budget law

Spokesman of Kurdistan Alliance, MP Ferjad Raundozi, said that his Alliance will ask President Jalal Talabani to veto the budget bill if approved without allocating %17 as a proportion for the Region of that budget.

Raundozi pointed out to the failure of parliamentary blocs to reach final agreement on the share of the Region and the adoption of the general budget for this year, declaring that his bloc would vote in favor of the draft budget presented by the Government.

In a related development, Raundozi revealed that the prime ministry has reached a version concerning the allocations of the Region's Guard (PESHMARGA), saying that the federal cabinet inserted a note to the 2008 budget includes the need to resolve the issue of the regional guards by mid year.

It should be noted that the Parliament decided to submit the budget to a vote during the general meeting next Monday.

http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=5505

Protesters Greet Iraqi Oil Officials In London

Iraqi oil officials and oil company executives were greeted by demonstrators in London Tuesday protesting long-term oil contracts being signed in Iraq, which they say are handing control of the country's oil wealth to private foreign enterprise.

Iraq Oil Minister Hussain Al-Shahristani, Ashti Hawrami, minister of natural resources for the Kurdistan Regional Government, and executives from companies like BP PLC (BP), Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and others were among the attendees at a Middle East oil conference being held by London-based think tank, Chatham House.

About a dozen protesters with placards, some calling out "No to cheap Iraqi oil," stood outside the conference venue. One of the demonstrators, Greg Muttitt, co-founder of London-based oil industry watchdog Platform, said contracts known as production sharing agreements, or PSAs, were being struck in Iraq under pressure from Western governments, which benefit foreign companies at the expense of Iraqis..

"They give control of Iraq's oil to multinationals for 20-30 years. It's like giving my house to a decorator and renting a room back from him," Muttitt said.

Gabriel Carlyle, another proteter, said polls show that a large number of Iraqis are against such contracts and called the companies "war profiteers" working with western governments to exploit Iraq.

Muttitt said the Kurdistan Regional Government's recent signing of oil contracts with foreign companies a move that effectively hands the Iraqi Kurds' new-found autonomy over to foreign governments and oil companies. "What they're doing now is jumping out of a frying pan into the fire...taking their sovereignty and surrendering it," Muttitt said.

The demonstrators said they were not against Iraq seeking technical expertise anf financing from foreign oil companies in order to rebuild the war-torn industry but opposed the exploitative deals they said were being struck.

http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=5506

A railway around Baghdad connecting Iraq with countries in the region

Iraq began implementing the first stage of the first significant strategic project that includes a railway line round the city of Baghdad with the length of 284 km, at a cost of nearly $8 billion, and will last for six years.

Manager of the project in the railways in the Iraqi Ministry of Transport, said that the project is huge and large international companies will participate in its implementation; it will consist of a double line of railways round the capital Baghdad connected to the main railway leading to Baghdad and they are: the line of Baghdad–Al-Qaaim-Akashat towards Jordanian railway, the line of Baghdad - Nasiriyah - Basrah towards Kuwait and the line of Baghdad - Kut - Basrah towards Iran.

All lines meet with the line round Baghdad, some were already implemented and others are awaiting implementation. The project will not allow freight trains to pass through Baghdad, but they will go along the circular line till they reach their destination; goods from Turkey to Kuwait will pass through Mosul to Bayji, along the circular line to Basrah and then to Kuwait. Traveling trains will go through the capital on lines that do not intersect with the roads to the city of Baghdad, arriving at Al-Allawi central station and at the station of east Baghdad, which will be connected to the metro lines in future to become the central station after implementation.

The project will also include areas for goods and modern specialized stores outside the city of Baghdad; it will reduce the intersection of railways with roads and traffic accidents. It will relieve road congestion in the city of Baghdad and its suburbs, increase the ability of transport for both passengers and cargo, reduce the environmental damage and provide wide employment opportunities.

http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=5512

Iraq to seek UN mandate extension if needed

Iraqi Ambassador to the United States Samir Sumaida'ie said he hopes Washington and Baghdad can carry out talks on their long-term strategic relationship by July, avoiding the need to extend the UN mandate. Asked if Iraq would consider an extension of UN mandate if such a deal were not reached when the UN mandate expires, Sumaida'ie said that if an agreement is not put in place by that time, there would be no choice but to go back to the Security Council.

In another context, Sumaida'ie noted that the status of private security firms like Blackwater in Iraq is a main issue of upcoming talks between Iraq and the United Sates. When asked about immunity provided for such companies, he affirmed that it is unacceptable, “I think it should be unacceptable for the Americans as well”.

In response to the Iraqi Ambassador’s statements, US State Department Sean McCormack noted that all they want is for both parties to be content, which means that all parties operating in Iraq should respect the laws and be accounted accordingly.

Iraq to seek UN mandate extension if needed | Iraq News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Iraq Kurdistan pursues signing oil contracts

Iraq Kurdistan’s regional government affirmed that it will pursue signing contracts with oil companies despite threats of cutting off exports due to the debate over the validity of these contracts. Kurdistan’s regional government Oil Minister Ashti Hourami said on the sidelines of an oil conference in London that Kurdistan did not stop yet signing new contracts and will pursue talks with oil companies. He warned that Baghdad threats will only draw away investments. He added that if there were differences between the regional and the central governments, they should be solved between he concerned parties as third parties should not be dragged into this debate.

Iraq Kurdistan pursues signing oil contracts | Iraq News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Japan affirms support to Iraq economy

Iraqi Interior Minister clarified that the series of Al Qaeda against awakening councils by Al Qaeda is a desperate response from Al Qaeda to the engagement of awakening councils into security forces.

Japanese Embassy’s advisor in Iraq Kanuki Najaouka affirmed that the Japanese government will pursue support to Iraq in all fields mainly economy by providing financial loans. Najaouka’s statements were voiced in a joint press conference with US Embassy spokeswoman Mirembi Nantunga who renewed US support to the government to improve security and reconstruction.

Japan affirms support to Iraq economy | Iraq News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Sorry if already posted.......

Agility to set up a joint venture in Iraq's Kurdistan region

Agility, Kuwaiti logistics firm announced that it will set up a joint venture in Iraq's Kurdistan region to invest in warehousing facilities for storage, transportation and customs clearance.

Agility Kurdistan Ltd would give us the opportunity to reinforce our presence in Iraq with a new foothold in the north, where there is a huge potential for business growth," a company source said.

Agility to set up a joint venture in Iraq\'s Kurdistan region | Economics News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

New electricity power plant in Sulaimaniya

In Kurdistan region an electricity plant was inaugurated south of Al-Sulaimaniya city with a power of 123 KW and with a cost of 28 million dollars. It is a transformer station that links the regions’ electricity to Iraq national electricity system. The opening took place in the presence of Electricity Minister in Kurdistan Regional Government Hoshyar Siwaily, and US regional coordinator Jess Billy in addition to the representative of US army engeneering contingent, Charles Rilly.

It is to be noted that US army engeneering contingent in Sulaimaniya had carried out 93 projects until now with a cost of 100 million dollars and it is still working on another project with a cost of 70 million dollars which is now being planed and implemented.

New electricity power plant in Sulaimaniya | Economics News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network

Iraq, 2nd target of Iranian exported goods - official

Iraq is the second target and destination for Iranian non-oil commodity exports, Deputy Minister of Commerce and Head of Iran's Trade Promotion Organization Mehdi Ghazanfari said here Wednesday.

Ghazanfari said at the Third Meeting of Iraq's Neighboring Provinces on Wednesday that in the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (started March21, 2007), dlrs 1.262 billion worth non-oil commodities were exported to Iraq via Iranian land and sea borders, showing slight decrease compared to the figure for the same period the previous year.

He said closure of borders, ban on certain export commodities like cement and foodstuff, lack of coordination in services offered to exporters and presence of some rivals in the Iraq market had been the reasons for the fall in the exports.

He added that in the ten-month period, the UAE stood the first on the list for absorbing dlrs 1.8 billion worth of Iranian non-oil commodities.

The official said that promotion of relations with Iraq is a priority for Iran.

Regarding cultural and political commonalties of Iranian and Iraqi nations, increase in volume of mutual transactions is possible, he added.

The official said Iranian traders and businesspersons are ready to contribute to increase in export of goods as well as industrial services and technology to Iraq.

"Iran is a constant and reliable partner for Iraq," he reiterated.

The official said activation of border customs, organization of exhibitions, appointing economic attache in Baghdad, banking cooperation, and avoiding closure of borders would help prepare good conditions for economic development of both countries.

He urged Iraqi traders to refer to the سازمان توسعه تجارت ایران Trade Promotion Organization of Iran website to obtain necessary information about their intended trade goods.

Iraq, 2nd target of Iranian exported goods - official