Thread: Archive News - Iraqi Dinar Think Tank - 06/10/2010 - 24/01/2011

Oil: licensing rounds, the most important achievements of the year 2010

Media spokesman said the Ministry of Oil Assem Jihad said his ministry had made many achievements during the past year the most important companies entering the global licensing round, which won the first and second to develop the oil fields. And reached the ministry to achieve good results on the joint fields between Kuwait and Iraq and Iran and to resolve outstanding issues.

http://radionawa.com/Ar/NewsDetailN....181&LinkID=155

Iraq’s Mosul to produce 200,000 barrels of oil per day

The Province of Nineveh, of which Mosul is the capital, will soon turn into a major oil producing region in Iraq, with output estimated at 200,000 barrels a day, an Iraqi oil official said.

The official, refusing to be named, said the crude will mainly flow from two fields currently under development.

“We cannot underestimate a volume like this,” he added.

He urged the Oil Ministry to seriously consider establishing a special oil company to handle the province’s riches.

The fields under development are Najma and Qaiyara. Both fields are being developed by state-run firms.

But the official said the output would certainly hike if the authorities allowed foreign firms to explore and drill for oil in the province.

Mosul is known to be among Iraq’s oldest oil producing areas but much of the provincial territory remains unexplored.

The field of Ain Zala is Iraq’s oldest oil-producing field but the machinery and equipment have not changed since production started there for the first time more than seven decades ago.

The official said foreign investment in the province’s natural resources “will reduce currently high unemployment rates” and bring economic prosperity to Mosul, one of Iraq’s most restive cities.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index...01-04\kurd.htm

Ministry of Communications presented three projects a "substantial" investment soon

The Iraqi Ministry of Communications, Wednesday, for three projects that it will offer "substantial" investment during the year.

He said ministry spokesman Samir Ali Hassoun, told the Kurdish news agency (Rn) that "the Iraqi Ministry of Communications will be presented three projects for investment and a mobile ground Baghdad Tower for communications and postal offices."

He added that "the ministry is continuing preparations in this regard, in addition to trying See more from investment projects implemented by international companies, they have modern technologies and provide an advanced service to the citizens in the area of telecommunications and postal services."

Hassoun and that "the work of the ministry in the coming period will largely depend on the investment projects they do not have sufficient funds to implement projects in accordance with the financial budget set by the Ministries of Planning and Finance."

The Iraqi Ministry of Communications confirmed that it will be a request to the House of Representatives to pass a law regulating its work in the coming period for the implementation of many projects, before the Iraqi parliament calls for separating the powers between the media and communications.

There are in Iraq in addition to the Ministry of Communications Communications and Media Commission established under Article (103) of the Iraqi Constitution, which identified a link Communications and Media Commission and the Office of Financial Oversight House of Representatives in 2004 and served the Commission in coordination with the Commission on the work and services in the House of Representatives, and the Office of Financial Supervision as control body to follow up ongoing work of the Commission of Audit of the accounts and ratifying the final accounts.

http://www.aknews.com/ar/aknews/2/208116/

Kurds won't assume security ministry, says MP

A lawmaker from the National Coalition (NC) said Saturday that the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will not allow for Kurds to take over a security minister, even if they claim it. Almost ten days ago Maliki announced part of his 44-member cabinet. However, nine ministries, including the Defense, Interior and National Security, were suspended to give "a greater share to females" in the makeup. Only two women were assigned as ministers-one declined to take the post. Kurdish deputies' accounts suggest Kurds eye the National Security Ministry.

Khalid Asadi, from the NC said so far Kurds have not officially demanded a security minister, describing the Kurdish lawmakers' statements as "press propaganda."

The PM belongs to the NC, the largest parliamentary bloc led by Shias. From the total 57 Kurdish representatives, 49 have unified under the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition (KBC) and the rest (Goran Movement) as opposition.

Maliki will not allow for "party-affiliated" personalities, from any bloc, to assume the security ministries and all the blocs are agreed in this respect, Asadi stressed.

Nevertheless, Saeed Khoshnaw, a member of the KBC deemed the political actors are "in rivalry" to get the security posts and Kurds are entitled to take over one of the three ministries.

If the elections results are counted in allocating the security positions, the KBC stands third after the NC and al-Iraqiya, Khoshnaw said, and if the size of the ethnic group is considered, Kurds are the second largest group in Iraq.

Applauding Kurds' "patriotism", the KBC member said "Arabs cannot protect the country the way Kurds do," and alluded to "bravery and role of the Kurdish armed forces" in quenching the 2006-2007 tensions in Nineveh province. Once more after the 2003 invasion against Iraq the multiethnic province had turned to a stronghold for al-Qaeda militant group.

Khoshnaw described Kurds as "the top guards of Iraqi security" while he criticized the Iraqi government for failing to protect the "Christians and even Arabs" who have taken shelter in the Kurdistan Region.

Recently al-Qaeda targeted the Christians across Iraq, killing and wounding tens of adherents and displacing a mass of the religious minority.

Khoshnaw emphasized Kurds will not compromise over the position "for they have proved their skills in keeping the security."

The Kurdistan Region, northern Iraq, is a relatively safe region compared to the rest of the country, overwhelmed in bloodshed.

The KBC has so far been granted seven ministries, the Foreign, Trade, Health, Civil Society Affairs, Women Affairs and Immigration and Immigrants Ministries as well as a state ministry.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZA...2C%20says%20MP

Fourth licensing round for gas exploration is still under study

Oil Ministry announced that Iraqi fighter Showing 12 locations for investment during the current year fourth licensing round is still under study.

He said ministry spokesman Assem Jihad told the Kurdish news agency that the ministry Tatkv now study at 12 sites in a gas to be displayed for exploration by international and local companies during the current year to develop the gas fields, pointing out that the sites twelve will be scattered across Iraq, which has not been submitted to invest for long periods, but will increase if the completion of Iraq's capacity to export gas.

Jihad and that the ministry will open a round of licenses immediately upon completion of the necessary preparation for these sites to open the door to all international companies to invest.

http://radionawa.com/Ar/NewsDetailN....164&LinkID=155

Vice Kurdish: Kurdistan oil contracts do not need to be sent to the Iraqi Council of Representatives

A member of the list of change Bayazid Hassan said that the government should transfer all Iraqi oil contracts signed with foreign companies to the House of Representatives, while the Kurdistan Regional Government contracts should be forwarded to the Parliament of Kurdistan.

Hassan said a member of the Commission on oil and gas in the parliamentary session prior to the Kurdish news agency that the list asked to refer all contracts concluded by the Iraqi Oil Ministry to the House of Representatives, but the Prime Minister says that such contracts do not need to inform the House of Representatives, because it is approval by the Board of Minister.

He indicated that it should refer the contracts of Iraqi oil to the House of Representatives, while the contracts concluded by the Kurdistan Regional Government should be forwarded to the Parliament of Kurdistan, indicating that the oil contracts of the province does not need to be referred to Baghdad, until the ratification of the oil and gas in the Iraqi Council of Representatives.

http://radionawa.com/Ar/NewsDetailN....192&LinkID=155

Iraqi oil ministry denies burn of oil contracts

The Iraqi Oil Ministry denied on Sunday that the fire that broke out in one of the floors of the oil ministry building last Thursday, caused the destruction of documents related to oil contracts, indicating that the initial investigation proved that the cause of the fire was an electrical defect.

The Oil Minister, Abdul-Karim Al-Laibi said in a press conference held at the Ministry and attended by AKnews correspondent that the fire which broke out in the ministry building did not happen in contracts and licenses department but in the Oil Projects Company, the Transport Department and the Office of the media official of the ministry.

"the Integrity board was briefed on the affected parts by the fire," noting that "the Civil Defense Directorate will end on Monday from preparing the detailed report about the fire, and his ministry will held accountability for anyone found to be involved after being informed on the civil defense report."

The Iraqi oil minister disclosed that the "copies of the oil licensing rounds contracts are saved in 17 government departments, stored in the CD's in safe places".

The fire erupted on the second floor of the Iraqi Oil Ministry building in eastern Baghdad, last Thursday, the civil defense teams managed to put out the fire in less than two hours.

Some local media said that the fire caused the destruction of oil licensing rounds contracts.

Iraq had signed contracts with major international oil companies after two rounds of licenses to develop 10 discovered oil fields but not exploited, that would raise Iraq's production to about 12 million barrels per day over the next six years.

http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZA...il%20contracts

Economic forum calls for removing obstacles to private sector

Recommended symposium Academy Iraq recently organized by the Iraqi National Business Council in cooperation with the Integrity Commission under the slogan (integrity based on work and development in building the new Iraq) need to increase the organization of workshops for all the provinces to raise awareness of the risks of corruption to develop mechanisms to develop a system of contracts and tenders and disclosure of mischief and combat.

And painted this symposium a roadmap for the private sector's cooperation with the Integrity Commission in order to undermine the sources of corruption and this symposium was an important message to the public and private sectors that the Integrity Commission is working to fortify the sides of the slide in the maze of corruption first and remove perceptions of it «integrity» hampering growth as some people claim of mischief.

Symposium and was an opportunity for the private sector and the real business of the Iraqi National Council that making statements about cases of harassment to which they are exposed in their reviews of state institutions, which in turn leads to devote to the corruption of some of the weak people in the public and private sectors .. It serves as a warning alarm sounded in this area.

Discussions that have characterized the symposium and Incant moving towards the private sector complaints and display their suffering but I have clearly «root of the problem» afflicting the country, namely the «corruption» ...

The symposium was also a response to the claim that the Integrity Commission limited the functions of departments and government ministries, but their mission appear here by monitoring the performance of these services through its dealings with the private sector and this is what make the Iraqi National Business Council calls for such a symposium for realizing the importance of integrity in dealing with harassment The facts reveal how things are in the maze of tenders and contracts ..

It is useful to note that the President of the Integrity Commission Ugaili merciful judge had focused in his speech opening the seminar on the UN Convention against Corruption in Article 12 that States are obliged to take action to prevent Zlua private sector corruption.

In the opinion of Ugaili in this regard that the private sector may be part of the solution in the problem of corruption, or may be part of the problem, this equation is true when choose to businessmen and companies the roads illegal access to government contracts and breach of the principles of competition and equality of opportunity and proper functioning and implementation conforming to the specifications agreed upon then it is be businessmen or companies here are partners in corruption and part of the problem.

Ugaili But he emphasized that the businessman when he keeps to the rules of professional conduct and practice of work with honor and not respond to requests of the corrupt and the news that their private sector will be part of the solution. The Chairman of the Integrity Commission to an important issue relating to the prevention of conflict of interest by not dealing with former public officials for appropriate periods at work in the private sector after their resignation or retirement. Especially when related to their work in that sector directly to the functions above. The President reviewed the National Business Council, Ibrahim al-Baghdadi in his suffering of the Iraqi private sector, which extends for periods of time old.

Baghdadi believes that the games made by the private sector during the past seven years I have developed considerably, but returned and confirmed that Almarqlat a barrier to make way for the sector to take a role in the process of economic growth required for pointing out that corruption is the biggest drawback to initiate re-Binaaloutn. And confirms al-Baghdadi, that of the leading Almarqlat that lead to corruption is the mechanism of contractual promise conditions yield to not fit with the great change experienced by Iraq, these conditions make companies and business position to do so withdraw from the competition to distance themselves from the pressures of spoilers Vtwol contracts to companies weak Aehmha reputation of the profession and the company.

He called for the need to focus on transparency, dealing with major companies in order to take their role in building the country and when there are qualified professional at the head of government institutions. And confirms that the private sector is a real partner in supporting the Government as the executive arm in the economic equation.

It is also useful to note some important recommendations made by the President of the Iraqi National Business Council (morning): As stressed the need to change and mature mechanism of contract on the basis of mutual trust between the contracting parties and not to re-tender excuse, but legal announce the presence of all the competing companies and the Inspector General at the Ministry.

The symposium recommended the development of a list of private and professional conduct issued according to assets and through cooperation between the Integrity Commission and the parties concerned with the private sector.

It is important recommendations put clear mechanisms for the detection of cases of corruption and processed in coordination between the regulators and the relevant official bodies concerned with the private sector. It also included recommendations to develop a system of tenders and contracts and building according to the principles of transparency to ensure the establishment of competition and equal opportunities in accordance with market standards. And thus contributed to the symposium put points on the letters and I have cases of corruption and ways of treatment and thus should have such seminars of interest by the media to improve the level of awareness in the fight against corruption.

http://www.alsabaah.com/ArticleShow.aspx?ID=498

Expert: the establishment of an oil pipeline between Baghdad and Amman will strengthen the Iraqi economy

Member of the Board of Trustees at the Institute of Iraqi economic reform expert goldsmith contrary, Tuesday, the establishment of bus line of oil between Iraq and Jordan will strengthen the Iraqi economy, as well as the transport tube was better than the tanker truck.

The expert goldsmith Manaf told (Voices of Iraq) that the pipeline transportation of oil, "facilitate the export process and the establishment of bus line of oil between Iraq and Jordan will strengthen the Iraqi economy."

The Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on Monday, in a joint news conference in Baghdad with Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi, the existence of an agreement in principle between the two countries to set up an oil pipeline carrier between Baghdad and Amman, to provide the Jordanian market with crude oil of Iraq.
He said the goldsmith, "after licensing rounds conducted by the Ministry of Oil with international companies, there will be an increase in production as oil minister said, we might as well open a new door for marketing and ports easy to pipes that are considered the best in the transfer of oil from the tanker truck in terms of control and the quantities produced."

The economic expert, said, "Any new port this pattern will add the export capacities highest for Iraqi oil and thus will enhance the returns of material and there are additions to the entrances of Iraq, and this reflected positively on the state budget," adding, "Any project to transport oil tube serves the Iraqi economy and thus gives an opportunity for the advancement of sectors other economic order to be productive of the budget and added to the gross domestic product. "

http://ar.aswataliraq.info/?p=268661

Most of the funds allocated to assist the Iraqis in Jordan, Jordanian stolen
Oman used the bulk of them in building schools and hospitals do not benefit from Iraqi refugees

Nicholas Seeley: Recognizes Jordan, which is one of two destinations frequented by Iraqis exiled by the 2003 war, about 400 million U.S. dollars earmarked to help the nearly one million Iraqis have fled to. Most of the assistance came from the United States and went to the Jordanian government directly.

The idea was to help donors Jordan, and Jordan is helping the Iraqis. And is now recognized widely that the actual number of Iraqis in Jordan is very smaller than originally thought. This means that many of the large numbers of aid has gone to the Jordanian government, at a time when some say that (going assistance to the Jordanian government) prevent the Iraqis from getting effective assistance.

Says Harriet Dodd, who was regional director in Jordan for CARE International during the crisis `dealt with fifty thousand refugees, more effectively, and the provision of appropriate funding. In fact, many of the workers in the non-governmental organizations, academics and independent researchers now say that aid has failed to meet the needs of Iraqi refugees, while I went as funding for special programs priorities of Jordan National, so it - as some say - to help Jordanians more than to help the Iraqis. The officials invoked the U.S. Agency for International Development that the building of institutions in Jordan, such as schools, hospitals and water systems, is the only way and effective to help the Iraqis living there.

School `revolutionary`

And build a school in the suburb of Prince Hassan east of Amman with the assistance of the U.S. Agency for International Development, is a prime example. Although half of the construction has been done but it is clear that it would provide education differs completely from the education provided by schools run by the Jordanian government

Bubbles lessons and wide and there is a gymnasium and an art studio and music room. In the basement are available Baklnsowat Science Laboratories are equipped to protect against steam and sinks, lamps, which are equipped for students to conduct experiments in groups.

And look this stuff and as if prepared for American students aged 12 years, and not for students living in Jordan who is still learning which is based on rote memorization.

Jay Knott, says the President of the American Agency for International Development in Jordan, which is behind the project `It's really based on a new philosophy in education. The recurrent education (conservation cardiac) in the twenty-first century will not Iturk towards knowledge-based economy'.

The U.S. Agency for development of the establishment of such amazing schools in poor suburbs across the Jordan. There are currently 28 schools under construction. The Agency is renovating and expanding a hundred school currently strengthens the efforts of the Jordanian government which is struggling to meet the educational needs of the youth population is growing rapidly.

But part of this work is carried out with the money allotted by Congress to help Iraqi refugees in Jordan.

Were officially allowed for each of Iraqi children since 2007, attendance in government schools of Jordan. And donor funding has helped to make this possible. And Mr. Jay Knott says the funding will help to alleviate some of the burden of those schools in the education of Iraqis in addition to the Jordanians.

With some of the displaced Iraqis will benefit from new schools, certainly, many of the Iraqis was the need for highly Gawhm to third countries. And most of them will disappear long before the first of the opening of the schools that will be assumed that it would provide them services in September 2011. These schools have been built to serve hundreds of students of poor Iraqis will end up serving a handful of them and nothing more.

Jason Erb says the Regional Assistant Director of the Organization to Save Save the Children in Jordan during the refugee crisis that `schools located in the east of Amman, where the majority of the population living in poverty is not a large number of Iraqis`. And give the United States and United Nations aid directly to the Government of Jordan.

The conflict is the number of Iraqis living in Jordan since the crisis began. When the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, Jordan prepared for the Office of the Refugee Agency of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees of the United Nations, the influx of refugees fleeing the conflict. But the Iraqis Tqtroa slowly, escaping from persecution or searching for jobs or waiting for things to be improved in their home country.

That is why I was surprised by the High Commission for Refugees of the United Nations in 2006, when he told some of its partner agencies for large numbers of Iraqis attending for help. According to early estimates, there are about a million and a half million Iraqis in Jordan. At first, Jordan seemed to reject such reports, and human rights groups accused of trying to hide a huge refugee crisis.

The United States and international donors to make efforts in responding to the crisis until it turned into a source (to get) the money in cash. And recognizes the Jordan from 2007 to 2009 nearly 400 million U.S. dollars in aid was considered officially addressed to the Iraqis, but most of this money went directly to the government of Jordan or she went to school building programs carried out by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Came the lion's share of aid from the United States. In 2008 Congress authorized funding for additional assistance for Iraqi refugees, a value of 200 million U.S. dollars. And $ 110 million went straight to the Jordanian government with $ 45 million went to other programs, the U.S. Agency for International Development to invest in the sectors of health, education and clean water. And gave the High Commission for Refugees United Nations 61 percent of its budget is also the Government of Jordan in 2007.

Officials say the United Nations and the United States that aid contributed to the creation of `protection` space for the Iraqis, the sense of a provision of some basic services and protection away from the harassment and deportation.

The number of Iraqis less than estimates

A survey conducted in 2007 found that there are one hundred and sixty one thousand Iraqis only in Jordan, appeared to be a part of them only of the poor or the oppressed who need help or asylum.

And other data supported the low estimates for this survey. These data came from a survey conducted by the Norwegian Fafo non-governmental organizations and the Department of Statistics in Jordan. The survey covered the Iraqis are enrolled in school and who were considered refugees in the records of the High Commission for Refugees of the United Nations.

The officials of the U.S. Agency for International Development was aware in 2008 the number of Iraqis in the individual schools that they were working on it. But the Jordanian government asked them to not share information because it `sensitive`.

Some say that providing assistance to the group in a poor neighborhood without giving their neighbors, such assistance may generate a reaction. The support of the Jordanian institutions is the best way to help displaced Iraqis.

Jay Knott, says the President of the American Agency for International Development in Jordan, `it is the way the best to improve education and health care. It's community-based approach and that is what commitment of our `.

In the opinion of Jason Erb Assistant Regional Director in the organization Save the Children Save the aid program, despite its shortcomings, it helps the most needy, and they will be mostly Jordanians, not Iraqis.

He says `If you look at the intention of the donor, they may not have hit the nail on the head really, but this should not be the only criterion applied, when the needs of those around more, he and as much in need of Iraqi refugees to help, it would be frustrating at times focusing too much on the Iraqis because the Jordanians need much more than the need for the Iraqis `.

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