IBBC Conference: Much To Celebrate In Iraq As Energy Takes Centre Stage
IBBC's ( Iraq Britain Business Council) 15th Anniversary Conference. Much to celebrate in Iraq as energy takes centre stage.
IBBC is celebrating 15 years in Iraq at a time when Iraq is moving into a new prosperous and stable era. IBBC Spring conference at the Mansion House on 2nd July will reflect our members diversity and the modernisation that Iraq is currently experiencing.
With an expanding stable Economy and a service sector growing at 6% pa, Iraq is diversifying beyond its core energy sector and opportunities to invest have rarely been so healthy.
Of note is the presence of key delegates: H.E. Hayan Abdul Ghani Al-Sawad, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Oil, Ministry of Oil, H.E. Mr. Ali Mohsin Ismail Al Alaq, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, H.E. Mr Asaad Al Eidani, Governor of Basrah, Dr Fareed Yasseen, Iraqi Climate Envoy, Eng Adil Karim , Deputy Minister of Electricity, KRG ministers and keynote address from The Rt Hon Lord Howell of Guildford.
The Iraqi economy is quietly diversifying, with the evolution of services, travel, tech, and retail sectors, but the dominant energy sector is also evolving, with new players technologies and climate reduction activities. Oil and Gas are still at the centre of this conference and Iraq's economy, with the IBBC Energy Panel, which see the big players in energy policy and practice including Dr Luay Al Khateeb , Centre on Global Energy Policy - Columbia University , Ms Dunia Chalabi, TotalEnergies, Mr Zaid Elyaseri from BP, Mr Andrew Wiper from Basra Gas Company, Mr Hasan Hashmat from Hydro-C and Mr Ellis Renforth from Wood Plc
IBBC as champions of best practice and the private sector publish special reports and white papers for reform, and this conference ' Insights and Opportunities' will launch our latest reports from Professor Frank Gunter, IBBC Advisory Council, on Foreign exchange, banking reforms and de-dollarisation: 'Two Cheers for Iraq: The Dinar - Dollar Exchange Rate Challenges' and a new report on emergent agricultural initiatives through IBBC's Agritech committee with the Agriculture Minister.
Ministers will also address the procurement opportunities across $400bn Government investment in key sectors, agriculture, transport, infrastructure, and you will hear about regional development at special roundtables with KRG Ministers and the Governor of Basra.
Special education and skills sessions will follow two GOI MOU's with IBBC and last year's focus on integrating and adapting education skills and curriculum to the business requirements of a modern economy.
Transport too is booming, through the ports, where electronic trade has seen a 128% increase, and the dry canal project linking Basra to Turkey and the Mediterranean, silk road and European markets. The project will have profound impact on cities along the route and for both import and export trade. IBBC members CJ-ICM and Sardar Group will inform us of activities and the evolution of electronic and port management systems already in place (see our '23 report on ports ).
Opening the conference the President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Rupert Soames OBE gives a keynote speech from the British industrial perspective, and as a previous member of IBBC is well placed to comment of UK's business relationship and opportunities with Iraq.
Delegates will always find significant networking opportunities and the reception on 1st at the Mansion House celebrates IBBC's 15 years with a special exhibition on Gertrude Bell and our members activities, it's also the best informal networking opportunity among delegates, speakers and founder members and the chance to forge new friendships.
Iraq now enjoys a stable and focused government intent of reconnecting with the region, fiscal surpluses that are converting into new infrastructure projects, and a growing more prosperous population, keen for modernisation and the benefits of a consumer economy.
IBBCs membership matches this diversity, and the lineup of speakers and topics reflects today's Iraq. View the agenda here , and to register to attend the conference. We are certain there will be big demand for tickets register now to avoid missing out.
Join with us and share the insights and opportunities that a modern and stable Iraq now offers. link