Thread: Archive - Latest News Think Tank - 15/01/09 - 04/05/09

The oil companies choose to Russian, Japanese and Indian to compete in the second round of the draft oil field investment

selected by the Ministry of Roessnvi Russian oil companies, oil and Japan, Kaern Energy, Oyal India and Indian, are among nine companies that were selected to perform in the second round for the development of the oil sector in Iraq. The Times of India newspaper Econmomk Oyal that India is the largest state-owned company for oil exploration in India. The newspaper quoted sources familiar with an international emphasis that foreign companies will invest 11 offers for oil and gas fields in various regions of Iraq. The sources pointed out that the second round will include companies from Russia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Angola and Pakistan.

The newspaper quoted Indian Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani as saying that the fields declared in the second round could increase Iraq's oil production to reach 2.5 million barrels per day in a few years. It is expected that the oil ministry announced the names of the winning companies in the first round by the middle of this year.

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CBI's dollar sales higher on Monday

Demand for the dollar was higher in the Central Bank of Iraq's (CBI) auction on Monday, reaching $ 142314 million compared to $ 120.852 million in the previous session.

"The demand hit $ 30.720 million in cash, covered by the bank at an exchange rate of 1176 Iraqi dinars, and $ 111.594 million in foreign transfers outside the country, covered by the bank at an exchange rate of 1173 Iraqi dinars per dollar," according to a CBI news bulletin received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

None of the 17 banks that participated in today’s session offered to sell dollars.

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Iraqi company for banking services achieved approximately (89) trips during the second half of March 2009

The company has achieved the Iraqi banking services during the second half of March 2009 (89) a trip to the transfer of currency and treasury banking Rafidain good banks and some government departments and civil.

The director-general of the Iraqi company for banking services that the company carried out (37) trips for the benefit of the Rafidain Bank and its branches, including (8) trips to foreign branches in the (district, Kut, Najaf, Wasit, Essaouira).

He said "he has been made about (27) a trip to the Rasheed Bank and (25) a trip to some of the eligibility of banks and various government departments.

The director-general of the Iraqi company for banking services that the company continuing its work and always working "to develop through the introduction of modern technology in the work of the company and the use of the heavily fortified vehicles.

The company aims to expand its services to include most services and state-sector companies and private sectors.

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A new plan in preparation for a U.S. withdrawal from the country

Iraqi forces prepare to take over security after the withdrawal of U.S. troops towards their bases in June (June) the next. And adopted the Ministries of Interior and Defense plans to re-deploy its forces based on the presence of police in the cities, outside the army, with U.S. military confirmed that these forces are still in need of a lot of skills, and that the withdrawal does not prevent it from launching the request of the Iraqis. Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, director of the National Center for Operations in the Ministry of the Interior, the ministry: the agenda is handed over from the multinational forces in June in all the cities of Iraq.

He said in a statement to the newspaper "Life" that the security tasks after the end of the withdrawal will be divided between the Interior and Defense, the police will take city centers or military Vitzlm cities and areas around the border to prevent infiltration of terrorists. He said the deployment would be a programmer, and we will use the devices to detect car bombs and explosive belts and the intense scrutiny of its identity and countless arms, however, the State only. He added that security forces now have the expertise and logistical equipment is placed to give a new security missions in the future.

Has been proven successful in the tasks entrusted to it recently, referring to the events in the credit and the arrest of the commander of the "awakening" in it. A media adviser to U.S. forces Miqdad Jibril told to "life" that multinational forces would not interfere in the plans formulated by the government to keep security in our cities after them. He added that the withdrawal does not mean a return to or enter, if requested by the government, particularly in military operations and clean-up operations carried out by Iraqi forces. He continued: We can not say that the Iraqi security forces arrived in full readiness Valemczuar is still long, but this does not mean it did not go a long way in the area of training, arming and training.

The Committee on the implementation of the clauses of the agreement to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq on Sunday discussed the dates for receipt of military areas and camps of the remaining American troops to Iraq before mid-June. A spokesman for the U.S. military, General "David Perkins," that his troops committed to the timing provided by the security agreement.

"The combat troops will withdraw from the process of cities in June, but this Aymanaha from running military operations in Iraq at the request of the Government that. He said: We will give advice to the Iraqi military leaders to develop the capacity of the army and the police.

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Ali Baban: There is chaos in the economic landscape of Iraq

Baghdad network Fayha'a Mohammed Nasser Said Iraqi Planning Minister Ali Baban, a t.elevision in an interview that Iraq is a mess, and unfortunately in the economic landscape of Iraq and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Ministers are not effective because of the work of individual ministries and indiscriminate with the lack of coordination in economic policies.

This indicated that the two doors to the Central Bank of Iraq too much to say about the independence of monetary and explained that the grave error, which occurred by the economy of Iraq is the reproduction of Western experience on the Iraqi economy.

He noted that the Iraqi economy has its advantages and its privacy and because of this policy has caused serious losses in the body of Iraq's economic.

The LANGRES to Iraq because of Bremer's decisions and laws The little signs that Iraq was the economic crisis that engulfed the world, especially after the adoption of the fiscal budget for 2009.

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Maliki's visit to Moscow next Thursday

Igadrriis Badgd Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Thursday in Moscow on an official visit will last for two days.

An official source in the Presidency of the Council of Minister Maliki Segar on Thursday to visit Moscow on an official two-day meet with the Prime Minister of the Republic of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, and a number of Russian officials.

The source told the independent press (Iba) today, Tuesday: "Maliki will discuss the overall political, military and economic there.

He said: "It is hoped to sign memoranda of economic and trade exchange between the two countries Braat, The source said: "The delegation will be headed by Maliki, a senior ministerial level.

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Maliki plans to hold a cabinet reshuffle .. Including al-Dabbagh and his leading role in

Msdermqrb disclosed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced the intention of Maliki has a limited cabinet reshuffle includes three or four ministries in addition to other high-level posts.

A source in the prime minister told the independent press (Iba) today, Tuesday: "The poor performance due to the large number of files and the rampant corruption, Maliki has to reflect the payment of a cabinet reshuffle.

The source expected the adjustments involved in the very near future, but he did not disclose the names of ministers involved in the change.

He noted that the source of the Minister under the leadership of Maliki's Dawa party and the ministry of the tens of files associated with the administrative and financial corruption, which raised more than once in the parliament by the Integrity Commission.

Almsdran revealed that among the candidates for the replacement of government spokesman, Ali Dabbagh, spokesman for the remarks he made in the last period.

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British investments in the large and diverse Iraq

Deputy Prime Minister Barham Ahmad Saleh, said that the presence of the British trade minister to Baghdad, accompanied by a large business delegation, is a message of confidence and reassurance for the future of Iraq's economic and political.

This came at an economic meeting held on Monday in al-Rashid Hotel in Baghdad in the presence of the British Trade Minister Peter Mandelson, who arrived yesterday, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, the first visit of the delegation of this level since 1989 and includes representatives of some 23 British investment firm.

He said he would be in favor of the agreement and understanding on some contexts, especially the preparation of the joint investment of the large end of the month will be held in London attended by major companies and representatives of the Government to strengthen the relations between the two countries.

For his part, Minister for Trade Peter Mandelson, the British investment to be provided by Britain to Iraq, a large and diverse in the forefront of the oil sector.

He noted that the United Kingdom seeks to support programs for the reconstruction of Iraq through the establishment of projects in the areas of electricity, water, schools, hospitals and airports, as well as assistance in the areas of design and project management in the engineering side.

For his part, said Trade Minister Abdul Falah Hassan said the British experience and its affiliate companies can support the reconstruction efforts in Iraq and provide services and assess the feasibility of projects for the Iraqis, such as building hospitals and power plants and oil extraction.

On a related level, arrived in the British Trade Minister to Basra International Airport on Monday to attend the economic conference hosted by the city.

A spokesman for the Basra Governorate Council AKIL Furaiji Basra governor Mohammed al-Waeli, was greeted at the airport, the British minister, adding that the (26) a British company involved in the conference, which convened for one day in order to clarify the investment map of Basra.

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Union of Arab Banks considering the establishment of an Arab bank for training in Baghdad

The Secretary-General of the Arab Banks Union, Fouad Shaker, Union is studying the establishment of an Arab bank for training, research and consultancy in Baghdad.

Shaker said in a press statement on Monday that he will emerge from the center to be set up three branches, including a training center and a center for research and consulting, in addition to the establishment of a unit of international relations for the direct communication with the database and information DIC at the center of the main Beirut.

He added that the establishment of the center of Baghdad aimed at restoring the role of Iraq's economic and financial area, and the achievements of the Iraqi banking sector in recent years.

Shaker said that the Union of Arab Banks has decided to contacts with the authorities after the financial, monetary and banking Iraqi banking conference held in Iraq during the last quarter of this year under the banner (of Arab Banks, hand in hand with the Iraqi banks), will be a confirmation from the bank on the role of Iraq and its commitment to providing opportunities to support assistance to all Arab banking institutions.

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World Bank Group Delegation Considers Iraq’s Investment Potential

Washington, April 3, 2009—Representatives of the World Bank Group’s board and senior management are visiting Iraq next week to discuss the country’s investment potential and underscore the Group’s commitment to assisting in its sustainable economic recovery. Participating in the delegation are Merza Hasan, E.xecutive Director for Iraq, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan; Daniela Gressani, the World Bank’s Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Region; James Bond, Chief Operating Officer of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and Michael Essex, IFC’s Director of Middle East and North Africa region; and Hedi Larbi; Country Director; Middle East and North Africa region.

“A key element of the World Bank Group’s strategy in Iraq is to enable pri-vate sector development as the driver of job creation” says Gressani. “The World Bank Group is supporting the creation of a healthy business climate which will lay the ground for much needed private investment.”

The team will meet with business leaders and government officials as well as Iraq’s National Investment Commission, which has been established to promote investment into the country. “IFC is committed to helping Iraqi businesses grow and create jobs by providing both investment capital and advisory services,” said Essex.

The delegation will seek to raise awareness of the various IBRD financial products and services that add value to the Group’s engagement with the country and open new lending prospects. The instruments that the Group’s private sector entities can apply to help facilitate investment are particularly important. This includes financing from the IFC, political risk insurance from MIGA, as well as technical assistance to help the country attract increased foreign direct investment.

“Since Iraq became a member of MIGA in October 2008, we have heard from a number of investors who are interested in seeking MIGA’s political risk insurance,” says Bond. “MIGA has a strong record of supporting investments into countries emerging from conflict and we are keen to facilitate sound and productive investments into Iraq.” Bond cited the oil industry, financial services, building and construction, telecommunications, and transportation as areas ripe for investment.

Following this visit, a team from the World Bank Group will be conducting a formal assessment of Iraq’s investment climate. The assessment will help guide the Group’s support to Iraq in developing its private sector policies and provide essential background to prospective investors.

“Iraq is rich in human and natural resources,” says Hasan. “Our objectives are to listen and investigate to see how the World Bank Group can be an effective partner in easing investor concerns and helping the country attract developmentally beneficial investment.”

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTE...313105,00.html