Iraq's Massive Economic Potential for Germany
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No. 3 September 2011 Contents Iraq’s massive economic potential Iraq’s massive economic potential for Germany for Germany Visit by H.E. Hussain AlShahristani 1 Editorial 3 Visit by H.E. Hussain Al-Shahristani Personalities 3 by Tom Wells Iraq takes over billions from United Nations development fund 4 German diplomat is new UN Special Representative for Iraq 5 Agricultural sector in Iraq 6 New centralized hydrogeological resource database for Iraq 7 Trade between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Iraq January May 2011 8 Iraq faces electricity solutions 9 Young Diplomats from Iraq visited NUMOV 9 Major Hotel Brands to Open Hotels in Iraq’s Northern Provinces by 2014 10 Iraq about to boost crude oil production 12 Education in Iraq – preconditions and opportunities 14 Najaf Commercial Arbitration Center opened 16 Rapid developments for Iraqi financial sector 17 Augmenting investments to make Basra province more stable 18 Iraq to hold 4th energy bid round 19 Iraq imposes Certificate of Conformity for importers 21 News 22 H.E. Dr. Philipp Rösler, German Federal Minister of Economics and Technology and H.E. Hussain Al-Shahristani, Deputy Prime Minister for Energy of the Republic of Iraq Business enquiries 24 ontinuing the trend of ever-improving Iraqi- This year marked the 59th edition of the Tenders 25 CGerman bilateral relations H.E. Hussain Pugwash conference, which has been taking Fairs 2011, Al-Shahristani, Deputy Prime Minister for place since 1957. It was sponsored by and took Registering Companies in Iraq, Public Holidays in Iraq and Germany 27 Energy of the Republic of Iraq, completed an place at the German Federal Foreign Office in NUMOV Services 28 official state visit to Berlin in July this year. Berlin and brought together influential individu- Central to H.E. Al-Shahristani’s visit was his als from science and world affairs. The aim of Application form for Membership 28 attendance of the ‘Pugwash Conference’ taking the conference is to strive towards nuclear dis- Useful links 29 place in the German capital from 1st - 4th July. armament in all countries and to reduce the Imprint 30 During his official visit to Berlin, H.E. Al- threat of war. An opening keynote speech was Board of NUMOV 30 Shahristani was also invited to meet H.E. Dr. delivered by H.E. Dr. Guido Westerwelle, Philipp Rösler, German Federal Minister of German Federal Foreign Minister, in which he Economics and Technology. Additionally, H.E. touched on important issues of global security. Contact: Iraqi German Business Al-Shahristani took part in bilateral discussions On the final day of the conference, H.E. Dialogue c/o NUMOV with Dr. Christoph Heusgen, Foreign Policy Al-Shahristani also contributed to the proceed- Jägerstr. 63 D and Security Advisor to German Federal ings, holding a speech on the topic of the devel- D-10117 Berlin Chancellor H.E. Dr. Angela Merkel. H.E. Al- opments of energy policy in Iraq. Phone: +49 (0)30 - 206410-0 Shahristani was accompanied to all meetings Fax: +49 (0)30 - 206410-10 th E-mail: [email protected] by H.E. Dr. Hussain M. F. Alkhateeb, Iraqi On the 4 of July, H.E. Dr. Guido Westerwelle Internet: www.numov.de Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany. met H.E. Al-Shahristani in the presence of continued on page 11 Editorial / Personalities Editorial Dear Readers, The IRAQI GERMAN In order to enhance the bilateral communication between our two nations, it is my pleasure to present you the latest edition of the IRAQI BUSINESS DIALOGUE wishes GERMAN BUSINESS DIALOGUE. all friends a happy Eid! Due to the development Iraq passed through for the last years, I am delighted to witness approaching stability, not only in the economy, Personalities but also in judiciary and in the education system of our country. In this way for instance the Iraqi Government now controls the UN Kadhim O. Jabir Al-Ghrebawi ist the new Development Fund for Iraq, which was managed by the International Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of the Advisory and Monitoring Board since 2003. Republic of Iraq to Germany in Berlin. Previously he held the position of The strong partnership between Germany and Iraq is highlighted at Commercial Counselor at the Embassy of several points. H.E. Hussain Al-Shahristani, Deputy Prime Minister Iraq in Bulgaria. He acted as Director of the for Energy of the Republic of Iraq, completed his official visit to Berlin Economic Relations between Iraq and Asian in July 2011, where he took part in bilateral discussions and met countries from 20042008 and between Iraq H.E. Dr. Philipp Rösler, German Federal Minister of Economics and and East European countries from 2003-2004. He was also working Technology. He also attended a conference, holding a speech on the as Director in Charge of the Oil for Food Programme between Iraq developments of energy policy in Iraq, which remains one of the most and the United Nations (1998-2003). During his career, which he important topics for our country. started with an academic degree in business administration and Russian language from the University of Baghdad, Mr. Al-Ghrebawi Bilateral exchanges are also taking place in the academic field. In gained experiences in the fields of international economic relations, this way, young Iraqi Diplomats, who were staying in Germany to gain economic and trade agreements, export development and business experiences in cooperating with the international community and management as well as with the economic organizations of the United improving their diplomatic skills, visited the German Near and Middle Nations. He represented the Ministry of Trade of Iraq on meetings of East Association (NUMOV). At this point I want to congratulate the the joint commissions with other countries. German diplomat, Martin Kobler, for being the new UN Special Representative for Iraq and the head of the United Nations Assistance Rolf Ulrich is the new Consul General of the Mission to the country. Federal Republic of Germany in Erbil, Iraq. The lawyer began his career as an Attaché In this issue, the IRAQI GERMAN BUSINESS DIALOGUE deals with in the Foreign Service in 1981 and was a wide range of topics enabling the reader to gain insight in the latest active at the German Embassy to Egypt in development in Iraq, with reports on the agricultural, financial and oil Cairo 1983 – 1986. He served for 2 years sector, amongst others. as the Permanent Representative of Germany at OECD in Paris. This was fol- Finally, I hope you find the latest issue insightful and wish you lowed by a 5-year consultancy at the German Federal Foreign a pleasant reading. Office’s NATO department. He was also active at the German Consulate General to New York in Legal and Consular Affairs, work- With kind regards, ing in Africa from 1996 – 2008. He held several positions in German embassies in Namibia, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, followed by another Dr. Hussain M. F. Alkhateeb 2 years at the Foreign Office in Berlin. Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Germany IRAQI GERMAN BUSINESS DIALOGUE 3/2011 3 Iraq takes over billions from United Nations development fund Iraq takes over billions from United Nations development fund by Ivo Lisitzki he Iraqi government has now officially its mandate and handed over responsi- the early 1990s. The council also men- Tbeen granted control over the United bility to the Iraqi Committee of Financial tioned that the transition arrangements Nations Security Council development Experts (COFE). The transfer of authori remain consistent with the constitution fund which was established after ty denotes a big step in strengthening and with international best practices in Saddam Hussein’s regime was over- Iraq’s independence and international respect to transparency, accountability turned in 2003 to facilitate the payment standing, which comes six months and integrity. of revenues for its humanitarian needs before the scheduled withdrawal of and economic reconstruction. The 47,000 troops, by returning control of the Looking ahead, the IAMB commented Development Fund for Iraq (DFI), includ- country's oil and natural gas revenue to that during its time monitoring the DFI ing proceeds of gas and oil sales, the Iraqi government. “much has been achieved and many replaced the United Nations Security challenges remain.” IAMB recommenda- Council’s Oil-for-food programme that A statement issued by the United tions for the future for the COFE to help allowed the former sanction-bound Iraqi Nations Security Council welcomed the build on this solid basis include codify- government to use monitored oil sales Government of Iraq’s full assumption of ing the COFE’s role in law and achiev- revenues for humanitarian purchases. the DFI and that the development fund ing Extractive Industry Transparency has been handed over from the IAMB to Initiative (EITI) compliant status, among Since 2003, the Development Fund for the Committee of Financial Experts others. Additionally, the IAMB noted that Iraq (DFI) has been managed by the (COFE), which will exercise authority in order to safeguard the benefits of International Advisory and Monitoring under terms approved by Iraq’s Council Iraq’s oil revenues for its people the Board (IAMB), whose role was to over- of Ministers, who also welcomed the COFE must remain “vigilant and proac- see operations of the IDF. The IAMB’s assumption of full autonomy over the tive to maintain the momentum of mandate was to audit the control and funds proceeds. reforms going forward” and finally reporting of oil export revenues and wished the committee every success in review how these revenues were being The council will ensure that a major part the crucial role it will play in Iraq’s future.