Thread: Iraq/Dinar News. 09/05 to 01/14/07

During his meeting with the Jordanian ambassador in Baghdad. Trade Minister emphasized the importance of developing and deepening of mutual relations in all fields, especially trade and economic fields
بغداد/Baghdad /
.Farmer, Dr. Abdul Hassan, the Sudanese Minister of Commerce, Mr. Ahmed part Ambassador of the Kingdom of Jordan in Baghdad, which paid a courtesy call on Mr. Minister.
.At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Minister welcomed the Jordanian Ambassador reviewing with the course of relations between the two countries, stressing the desire of the Iraqi government to establish solid bridges of joint cooperation and fruitful cooperation with all neighboring countries in all spheres, especially in the fields of trade, economic, and to serve the common interests and mutual.
كما.The talk dealt with during the meeting, the topics and issues that concern the two countries and ways and means to develop bilateral relations, especially in the promotion of trade exchange and activate and strengthen the functions of the Joint Jordanian-Iraqi.
.Turning Minister Dr. Sudanese to talk with the Jordanian ambassador Ahmed part to the subject of some of the suffering of Iraqi citizens during the proceedings arrival and enter Jordanian territory he hoped to address this issue pointing out the possibility of facilitating the procedures of mutual visits by the Iraqi and Jordanian citizens and mobility easily between Jordan and Iraq.
من.His Jordanian ambassador was pleased for the opportunity to visit the Minister of Trade and the meeting by saying the Jordanian government was keen to strengthen and sustain the consolidation of bilateral relations and formulas that serve the people and Governments of the two countries.

جمهورية العراق وزارة التجارة - الاخبار

a week old, but not sure if this was posted.

كركوكThe American government provided $ 7.5 million for the implementation of strategic projects in Kirkuk



MENAFNMENAFN - 01/01/2007- 01 / 01 / 2007

(MENAFN) .(MENAFN) The American provincial reconstruction team in Kirkuk, about 7.5 million American grant for the implementation of strategic projects in the governorate of Kirkuk came within the American administration's efforts in improving the economic situation in the province.
.Deputy Chairman of the Committee and reconstruction projects in the governorate provincial reconstruction team know that the maintenance grant for the implementation of a number of strategic projects for the advancement of our future planning in Kirkuk.

.He pointed out that these projects include a basic design for the city of Kirkuk and the draft master plan for city sewer and survey project of the year by RDX on Kirkuk, which will contribute in facilitating communications between neighboring governorates through Kirkuk and therefore lead to an increase in trade exchanges among themselves as well as purchasing medical equipment and laboratory of the University of Kirkuk and the health sector in the province because of the scarcity in these organs


MENAFN - Middle East North Africa . Financial Network

NO date, is this old?

والرشيدTowards privatization of the Rafidain and Rashid Banks

.The foundations of the Rafidain Bank in 1941 under the Banking Act No. 33 of 1941 a capital of half a million Iraqi dinars first commercial bank specialized in the affairs of government and commercial credit continued to increase the nominal capital reached (30) million Iraqi dinars.

وكان.The objective of the establishment of the bank above is the practice of banking and commercial credit, as well as carrying out other credit services for individuals, which was carried out by the mortgage bank before it was revoked, as well as carrying out the financing of import and export credit for the subject goods, as well as the issue of guarantees for contractors from individuals, corporations and public sector institutions to facilitate the completion of their transactions.
:ـIn view of the fact that the bank only trade in the country has expanded its business in Baghdad and throughout the provinces, which necessitated the opening of branches in all governorates and opened with branches in several Arab countries sisterly and friendly countries and then born of mercy Rasheed Bank in yet but I think that the performance of the two banks above personnel from the Ministry of Finance is weak and the absence of strategic outlook in supporting economic activity in Iraq for the following reasons :
اولا: .First : that the performance of the Rafidain and Rashid Banks minor and lacks performance to facilitate government activity and the budget could not be compared with commercial banks in the world offer the best performance levels and the banking rule out the existence of satisfaction on the performance of the two banks before any of the above specialized in finance or accounting in the country.
ثانيا: .Second : in the work of the two banks routine, and the slowness and passivity and lack of a clear Stratijiat in supporting economic activity, particularly in the private sector, which we desperately need to develop in the light of transforming the Iraqi economy from a centralized economy to a market economy.
لذا .Therefore, the optimal solution is to be taken towards the privatization of these banks because they miss the directions to the business and they scenarios routine bureaucratic who withdrew on the activity of private banks, which had hoped to play a positive role in the development of economic activity and bee infection government banks because of the leakage of government banks and retirees of them in particular.
.And it must be privatization, according Stratijiat and clear objectives contribute to the achievement of a new cycle of capital foregone because many people are overwhelmed with doubt and fear of privatization, a term or an economic future intends to Iraq entry justifying this, including owner process imbalances and skepticism in the goals as a policy encouraged by the imperialist global and institutions of international economic such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and others note that the government of the former regime has exercised privatization in its own way, benefiting Azlamha and leaders but claimed rejection and acceptance, described as a kind of imperialist American.
.Privatization is essential in the return of capital foregone in productive enterprises in the country which was disrupted administrative and financial corruption and we consider that the institutions that produce and operating efficiency will be available in abundance and productivity and increase in the production, operation and profits for their employees and for the community. And attention must be very cautious in implementing privatization, which lead to the loss of the public sector and its institutions and the private sector to monopolize the production of goods and increase prices and the loss of human workers, demobilized.
صخصةFinally call on the new government to reflect and accuracy in the implementation of the privatization







http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl...asp%3FID%3D955

sorry if posted already

Maliki : three important laws taking place next year

.He said Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki at the conclusion of a meeting of the Council of Ministers today, Thursday, that the new year would witness a three important laws will have a significant impact in the wheel of development is the law of the retirement and investment law and the law of oil.

."The Maliki at the end of the meeting televised today that the three laws task "has been completed and will be out next year." He added : "We will also activate the work of the care of the families of martyrs and the welfare of prisoners who have been arrested and tortured at the time of the former regime, in addition to the commencement of the implementation of the housing project, which soon will be in the first stage of some categories of people." Al-Maliki did not mention those categories, however, said that "the second phase will include all the sons of the Iraqi people through soft loans from the Land Bank of Iraq."

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl...sp%3FID%3D2002

Joint operation strengthens bonds between U.S., Iraqi troops
Monday, 01 January 2007
By Sgt. Jon Cupp
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs



Soldiers from Troop D, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment worked alongside Iraqi troops from 2nd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division Dec. 28 at Taji Market near Camp Taji, Iraq, as they searched vehicles, performed reconaissance and other cordon-and-search operations. The joint operation served to reinforce security measures in the market which has been called a "crossroads for insurgent activity."CAMP TAJI — Iraqi Army troops from the 2nd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division conducted operations in the Taji Market north of the Iraqi capital Dec. 28 in order to improve security and reduce sectarian violence in the area.

The citizens, who have become tired of the insurgent aggression in the area, requested the assistance of Iraqi and coalition forces, said 1st Lt. Garry Flanders, a platoon leader for Troop D, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment.

In order to help, the Iraqi troops, with the assistance of Soldiers from Troop D, 1st Bn, 82nd FA, closed a road and moved a checkpoint from one location to another after performing reconnaissance of the area. They also conducted cordon and search operations to look for weapons caches, and incorporated other vital security measures in the market.

“It’s important for the Iraqi Army, and the Iraqi security forces, to take responsibility for security in Iraq and today has been one of those events where they are getting better at doing that,” said Lt. Col. Martin Clausen, commander, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment and a native of both Vista, Calif. and Stuart, Iowa. “Taji Market has been an important crossroads for insurgent activity.”

Flanders, a native of Milledgeville, Ga. said that working with the Iraqi soldiers helps the U.S. troops understand how the Iraqi Army works.

“The operation gives us a chance to foster better working relationships with them, and more of an understanding of what they do and the assets they have, which gives us a clearer picture of how they operate,” he said.

This joint operation, however, was not the first time that Flanders and his Soldiers have worked with the Iraqi security forces.

“We go occasionally with them and we’ve been on joint patrols before with them (the IAs) and the Iraqi police,” added Flanders. “Anytime the Iraqis do these types of patrols, they do a great job, so we have no worries.”

Although some missions involve engagements with insurgents, this day’s mission did not. But it’s always best to remain vigilant said Sgt. John Salazar, a Troop D, 1st Bn., 82nd Field Artillery Regt. team leader.

“This is definitely one of those things we do day by day where we stay focused and watch the guys to our left and right,” said Salazar, an Espanola, N.M. native. “If you look forward to too much happening, you tend overplay it. So you have to learn to not get apprehensive, but just stay focused.”

Salazar added that he has a lot of respect for the IA troops who he often finds himself working alongside.

“I understand what they’re trying to accomplish,” said Salazar. “IAs have a different way of doing things, but they seem like they’re really coming along. At some point, they need to be able to take over for themselves, and we’re doing absolutely everything we can to help them.”

Besides just IA troops and Soldiers from D Troop, the joint operation also involved the help of Soldiers from the 410th Quartermaster Company attached to the 15th Sustainment Brigade, who performed as lookouts standing guard in towers , observing the action on the ground.

“We’ve had great cooperative support with them as we coordinate with their initial report,” said Clausen. “They know what’s going on and can definitely identify anything unusual.”

Clausen summed up what he wants his Soldiers to take away from the joint operation.

“I hope they take away a better appreciation for the readiness of our Iraqi counterparts that they can build on for future and on-going operations,” said Clausen.

First class graduates from new IP Training Academy in Baqubah
Monday, 01 January 2007
By Maj. Raul E. Marquez
3rd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. PAO



An Iraqi Police officer receives his IP patch from Maj. Mason W. Crow, Task Force Blue executive officer, during the graduation ceremony, Dec. 24. TF Blue is responsible for training and equipping the Iraqi Police. Official U.S. Army photo.BAQUBAH — About125 Iraqi Police officers assigned to various units in the Baqubah area, graduated from the first IraqiPolice Training Academy in Baqubah, conducted under the guidance of coalition forces from Task Force Blue and the International Police Liaison Officers, Dec 24.

“Officers from the Emergency Ready Forces, the Quick Reaction Forces, and Baqubah Iraqi Police participated in this two-week long training academy,” said Maj. John J. Herrman, Task Force Blue operations officer and a native of La Crosse, Kan. “Those officers are now ready to assume their duties as the rule of law enforcers here in Baqubah.”

The training for the IP officers was provided by their own Iraqi instructors and Special Weapons and Tactics team, otherwise known as SWAT, members, said Herrman.

“Instructors from the Tactical Iraqi Police Academy provided the classroom portion of the training; the range cadre taught weapons handling and maintenance, and SWAT members assisted with the hands-on portion of the training,” said Herrman. “We provided oversight through the IPLOs and our Military Police.”

Even though the training was only two weeks, this training included classes on democratic policing, the Iraqi Constitution, rule of law, weapons safety, proper firing techniques for both AK-47 and pistols, shoot and maneuver, hands-on defensive techniques, dismounted patrolling as a member of a team, mounted patrols, react to improvised explosive devices, first aid, and entering and clearing a building, said Herrman.

He also stated that during this training, the IPs received their new uniforms and equipment that signifies they are real police officers.

“The training academy will continue providing classes every day through the end of January, and quarterly after that,” Herrman said. “They expect to have at least 25 percent of the Baqubah police force trained by the end of the third training cycle.”

“For most police officers here, this was their first formal training,” he continued. “They have been out on the streets mixing it up for years, never fully understanding the proper way to use a weapon, the rule of law, the constitution they are to support, or how to conduct themselves as a policeman. We hope that the course turns out a more ethically and tactically proficient policeman, able to better enforce the laws of Diyala, and to serve and protect all Iraqis.”

“The Iraqi Policemen are some of the bravest people we have ever met,” said an American Police Advisor supporting Task Force Blue. “They risk their lives, and those of their families, on a daily basis trying to bring law and order to the streets of their cities. The training we are providing is designed to save some of those lives and extract a high price from the terrorists and insurgents who choose to attack these officers.”

Maj. Gen. Ghassan Adnan Awad Al-Bawi, the Diyala Chief of Police, attended the ceremony, and provided the graduates a motivational speech on the importance of training, regardless of their years of service as police officers.

Al Noor radio station opens doors, gives chance for free speech
Monday, 01 January 2007
BALAD RUIZ — In a city where there is no means for releasing information to its people, coalition forces have developed a project to give the people a chance at free speech. Story and photo by Spc. Ryan Stroud,
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div.


Balad Ruz mayor Mohammed Maroof Al-Hussein cut the ribbon which opened the doors to free speech and the Al Noor radio station.BALAD RUIZ — In a city where there is no means for releasing information to its people, coalition forces have developed a project to give the people a chance at free speech.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Al Noor radio station, also known as the “The Light,” located here, opened its doors to many with high hopes and happy faces from the Iraqi Army and police department as well as city officials of Balad Ruz and members of the 5-73 Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

"This is a great day for Balad Ruiz and its people," said Mayor Mohammed Maroof Al-Hussein, city mayor. "I think this is a new stage for our city and a new way to serve our people.

"This is a free station," he continued. "The people can say what they want, they can speak freely."

With the help of the 5-73, civilians will now be able to hear news and get more information in their homes other than what terrorists want to put out, said the mayor.

"I remember the first night we were here at Forward Operating Base Caldwell and hearing an Iranian broadcast in English to target American Soldiers," said Capt. John Pratt, Company B, 404th Civil Affairs. "These terrorists were getting their message out, but the people here didn’t have a way to get their message out."

"This is a pro-government radio station that counters what terrorists are saying," said Pratt. "It also lets the people know what the coalition forces are doing in their area to help them."

Pfc. Timothy Bramhall, a member of 5-73, said this mission was one of the most important missions he had been on. Not just for the coalition forces, but for the Iraqi people as well.

"This is a chance for the city and its officials to reach out to their people," Bramhall said. "It's also a chance for us to let them know we're here to help them and to try and make Balad Ruz a better place."

Primarily farm land, Balad Ruz is currently behind in technological progress. Pratt feels this is a big chance for the government to prove to its people changes in the economy are just waiting to happen.

"Even though this is mostly an agricultural community, this is proof that Balad Ruz's new government is able to take the first technological step to bettering their economy," said Pratt. "This means more jobs and growth for the community."

Though hopes of progress are high, Balad Ruz government officials and the coalition forces primarily hope the radio station raises awareness and the morale of the Iraqi people.

"I hope this new service will encourage other cities to start stations to better serve their people," said Al-Hussein.

Bramhall echoed the Mayor's words: "I hope the Iraqi citizens feel good about this. I hope it gives them a chance to say what they want to say. I think it's better for them to hear information from their own people than from us.

"It's also gives the people a chance to reflect their points of view," he added. "It also lets listeners know they are not alone with their views."

Bramhall said he hoped the Iraqi people would understand this freedom to say what they feel.

"Something we, as Americans, forget about at times - our right to freedom of speech," he said. "They will now know what that's like."

"This radio station is for the people," Pratt added. "It's a way to put out information about what's happening in their community to better serve the people."

Employees of Al Noor are presently sending out flyers across the city to promote the station and begin its mission of informing the people.

Trade with Turkey booms despite political strains



By Ibrahim Boazzi



Azzaman, January 1, 2007



Turkish exports to Iraq are booming despite political differences.



The Turks are using the relatively quiet Kurdish north as a base for their exports to Iraq.



Iraq currently relies heavily on imports to meet domestic needs including fuel, thought it sits on massive oil reserves.



Iraq’s import bill is estimated at $15 billion and at least one third of it goes to Turkey which has set up a permanent trade exhibition in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Arbil.



Turkish contractors are carrying out several projects in the Kurdish north whose markets brim with Turkish imports.



The surge in trade comes amid strains in political relations as both the Kurdish authorities and the central government complain of Ankara’s ties with certain political factions in the country.



Late last year Turkey hosted a conference by Iraqi opposition groups, namely Sunni factions bent on driving U.S. troops out of Iraq.



The meeting drew criticism from the government and President Jalal Talabani.



The Turks openly support demands by Iraqi Turkmen for some form of autonomy in their areas in the oil-rich province of Kirkuk which the Kurds want to add to their territory.



The Turkmen oppose Kurds’ attempts to annex Kirkuk and have vowed to do whatever it takes not to let that happen.

Quest for credit continues
fDi December 2006/January 2007

Mid-sized Iraqi entrepreneurs, stymied by a lack of locally available credit, have no choice but to lobby international agencies. Benjamin Barrows explains.

Working smart and staying flexible is important for companies everywhere, but it is essential for Omar, CEO of a large Iraqi technology company in Baghdad. Omar’s company, which will remain anonymous for security reasons, has to work around the threat of kidnappings and violence that plague the streets of many Iraqi cities.

To most foreign observers, business development takes a back seat to the images of ongoing sectarian bloodshed in Iraq seen everyday in the international media. However, for Iraqis trying to do business in their country, getting to work each day, let alone being productive, requires creativity and resourcefulness. Allowing employees to work from home or at protected customer sites mitigates risk, but Omar says that the “biggest impediment” to significant business
development is the unavailability of credit.

SEARCHING FOR A LOAN
During an interview in Amman, Jordan on August 16, Omar said that, “with so many resources, [Iraq] is the ideal place for growth… it has all the fundamentals for the highest GDP growth in the region.” But, despite this and the fact that Omar’s company is based internationally with a good reputation and a history of success, he spent nearly a year and a half looking for a business loan.

Banks in the region can be reluctant to lend to non-nationals, and Iraqi banks, notwithstanding the fact that many have been refurbished and upgraded, do not yet have the financial or bureaucratic capacity to disburse middle-market loans.

In a September 2005 article, Portaliraq.com quoted an Iraqi banker as saying: “During the period of Saddam, no-one could hold sessions or meetings regarding the development of the banking sector.” In Iraq’s cashdriven society, bank products, especially sophisticated commercial/industrial loans, are new to the Iraqi banking industry, as well as to many consumers in the private sector.

Although Omar’s company had a technology solutions contract with the government of Iraq, foreign suppliers – mostly US companies – would not accept the letter of credit he had secured from a Jordanian bank as guarantee of payment.

Omar eventually contacted the Iraq Middle Market Development Foundation (IMMDF), a US non-profit organization set up in 2004 by OPIC (a US government FDI promotion agency), Citigroup Export and Agency Finance and the Dubai-based Citigroup Representative Office to support the economic development of Iraq by making middle-market loans to Iraqi businesses and financial institutions.

EXCITING MARKET
IMMDF general manager David Strine, who has overseen the approval of $32m in loans in Iraq, says that, albeit dangerous, “Iraq is an exciting market with a lot of consumers and a lot of resources.” Since the government elections, the stream of applications to the IMMDF has risen considerably and “optimism seems high, despite the increase in violence,” he says.

When asked about the goals of lending in Iraq, Mr. Strine points out that it is an “overused but accurate expression that the small and medium-sized enterprise sector is the engine for growth.” For Mr. Strine, the SME and middle market is the logical place to apply financial assistance to Iraq.

The business model that the IMMDF follows has worked well historically in other emerging markets, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States. However, programmes there were geared strictly towards economic development, whereas in Iraq there is the additional mission of enhancing social stability.

According to Mr. Strine, the IMMDF is in Iraq “to provide a demonstration effect. [Iraqi] financial institutions should be doing this, but they can’t yet. As Iraq transitions to a market economy, most institutions are still too conservative to make loans.” Although the “need for capital [in the middle market] is well beyond the IMMDF’s capacity to fulfill,” it does not yet have any competitors.

As part of its mandate, the IMMDF must not compete with the market economy, which is partly why the interest rates on its loans are high: 10%-12% on enterprise loans and LIBOR plus 5.3% to 6.7% per year on private financial institution loans. The high interest rates can be a sticking point for some businesses, but Mr Strine holds that it is “important to the demonstration effect that [the IMMDF] has strict regulations, preserves capital and has a good return rate. Unfortunately, this means that we have to turn away some applicants.”

To date, all IMMDF clients are current and there have been no loan defaults. Access to credit increases the number of ways that Iraqi businesses can continue to operate in the uncertain environment of Iraq. Omar confirms that “the Iraqi private sector is hungry for business – the IMMDF loan gave us the ability to provide an aggressive deliverables schedule and immediately
mobilise. We were even able to compete successfully against large multinational telecoms companies,” he says.

ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
The recognised potential of the Iraqi economy has attracted many companies – both small and large, and from myriad sectors – to trade fairs and business expositions in the region and around the world. The Rebuild Iraq 2006 expo held in Amman in May attracted more than 1000 exhibitors and 13,445 visitors from 49 countries, more than 4000 of which were Iraqi. In a bid to encourage badly needed foreign investment, the Iraq cabinet recently passed a law that allows investors to move money in and out of the country with few obstacles and furthers the liberalisation of investment laws began by the Coalition Provisional Authority with Order 39 in September 2003. The legislation will contribute to the burgeoning outsourcing movement by Iraqi companies.

The relationship between security and investment is chicken and egg: security will improve with increased private investment, but investors are wary of committing resources until security is better. That is one reason why, for those that can afford it, training staff in Amman or Dubai is an attractive way of limiting exposure to the vagaries of the conflict.

BUSINESS DRAIN
Until the security environment in Iraq improves, businessmen like Omar will have to continue to seek out organisations such as the IMMDF to fulfil their financial needs. Leaning back in his chair, Omar gestures expansively out the window at the booming construction in Amman, and ruefully relates an Arabic expression that roughly means, in the strictly business sense, that “the tragedies of some nations are the benefits of others”.

While the business created in the region by the exodus of Iraqi businessmen may be seen by some as a benefit, the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees who fled their homes and their country probably feel differently.

Benjamin Barrows is an associate at International Solutions Group, a company that specialises in helping individuals, businesses, governments and organizations work effectively in difficult and dangerous places.

------------
Created by CHF International, OPIC and Citibank in August 2004, Iraq Middle Market Development Foundation (IMMDF) is working across Iraq, providing large commercial loans to private Iraqi businesses. Assuming the bulk of the new capital (80%) will be spent within the Iraqi economy and can be expected to turn over 2.5 times in two years, this lending program will generate more than $250 million of local economic activity, thereby contributing significantly to an improved economic future and the creation of several thousand new jobs for the Iraqi people.
> As of September 2006, IMMDF had approved a total of $45,772,000.
> The average IMMDF loan is $3 million.
> Only 23% of IMMDF’s operating costs are spent on security expenses. In two years, there has been only one security incident and no IMMDF staff or beneficiaries were harmed.

For more information about CHF/Iraq, please visit: CHF International: Iraq

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Iraqis urged to avoid sectarian conflicts, focus on rebuilding Iraq

POL-EGYPT-IRAQ-NEWSPAPER
Iraqis urged to avoid sectarian conflicts, focus on rebuilding Iraq

CAIRO, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- An Egyptian newspaper Monday urged Iraqis to focus on reconstructing Iraq and avoiding sectarian conflicts following the execution of deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

"Al-Ahram" newspaper said today that "Saddam Hussein is gone but the Iraqi people will stay," stressing the importance of establishing peace and stability instead of violence and bloodshed.

It added that the Iraqis should fold Saddam's page in the history of Iraq and look into the future of their country, calling on armed militias in Iraq to reconsider their ideology, abandon violence and killing of civilians, and establish talks with the Iraqi government to reach a satisfactory solution to all sides.

The newspaper urged Iraq's neighbors to work on restoring stability in Iraq, cautioning that instability in Iraq could negatively affect all of Iraq's neighbors in the long run.

It asserted the importance that foreign forces should leave Iraq after ensuring that the Iraqi police and army forces are capable of protecting the Iraqis and maintaining security and stability there.

The death sentence was confirmed by a judicial panel on December 26, and carried out at dawn on Saturday inside a former torture center used by Saddam's intelligence service in the Shiite district of Kadhimiyah in northern Baghdad.(end) nwr.

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