Iraq Procurement 2005 - Amman provides 'gateway to Iraq'

The assistance and support received from the authorities in Amman and the strength of their relations with Iraq has underlined the role of Jordan as the number one venue for conducting business with Iraq.

At the last event, held on 22-24 November 2004, corporate executives were able to meet with Iraqis to discuss the overarching needs of Iraq's key industry sectors, while the meetings between international and local companies saw much business conducted and many relationships formed, which should prove fruitful to all parties concerned.

Building on that success, Iraq Procurement 2005 -Amman will take place on 28-30 June 2005 in Amman, Jordan, and will include a large international exhibition, expert seminars, industry-specific sector meetings and 'Meet the Buyers' sessions, where global corporate executives have the exclusive opportunity to meet with their Iraqi contemporaries. The event has the full support of the Iraqi-British Business Council (IBBC).

His Excellency Dr Aiham Al Samarrai, Iraqi Minister of Electricity, leading the Iraqi government delegation at Iraq Procurement 2004 - Amman, described the initiative as a major opportunity to determine the level of procurement needed to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure and main sectors, particularly the energy, health, transportation and water sectors destroyed or severely damaged. "As these sectors address citizens' basic needs, their rebuilding will reflect positively on Iraq's stability," he said. According to the minister, Iraq's foremost challenge now is to ensure that the donor countries meet their commitments. He attributes problems over donations to the fact that there is not a clear idea on the mechanisms for donor countries' dispensing with the grants to rebuild Iraq.

"The aim of Iraq Procurement is to enable businesses and traders to benefit from direct relations between Iraq and the world," Raminder Singh-Barmi, managing director of Iraq Procurement said. "We are looking to promote the role of Iraqi companies and the partnering opportunities available that will eventually see the transfer of technology into the country."

The event will also feature a charity fundraising dinner, which will look to raise money for causes such as providing medical equipment for Iraqi children.

The Iraq Procurement exhibition will offer the opportunity for companies to showcase the goods and services that will prove essential in aiding the development of Iraq, bringing both international corporations and regional companies under one roof. Sectors to be covered include agriculture, finance and banking, housing and construction, IT and communications, healthcare and education, oil and gas, energy and utilities, and water and sewage, and transport and tourism.

The 'Meet the Buyers' sessions will enable Iraqi contractors and business leaders to meet with delegates to discuss their immediate and long-term business needs. These sessions also allow global corporations to meet with prime contractors, those companies who have been issued primary contracts by the Project & Contracting Office (PCO). Over 100 leading Iraqi contractors and businesses currently involved in a wide range of ongoing contracts will be present at the 'Meet the Buyers' forum, presenting a genuine opportunity for corporate delegates to form relationships with key individuals from all business sectors.

Roundtable meetings will be organised for international organisations wishing to discuss business and development with Iraqi government representatives and decision makers, including ministers, deputy ministers, and director generals of state-owned enterprises. The summit will include keynote plenary speeches from business and political leaders, plus special expert seminars providing the necessary insight into conducting business in Iraq.

Iraq Procurement recently launched the Iraq Business Exchange, an online forum that offers both Iraq and global companies the chance to reach the international business community to source suppliers, partners and ideas, maintain communication and open dialogue. Once given access the forum members are able to post their business requirements to companies across the globe. All participants in the Iraq Procurement initiative gain membership of the forum.

The success of Jordan as a location for Iraq Procurement events is also apparent, the country having established itself as the gateway to Iraq, as well as its remote financial capital. Jordan is secure, affordable and accessible, offering attendees the unrivalled benefits of closer proximity to Iraq and greater choice and availability in terms of accommodation - there are a dozen Five-Star hotels in Amman, all of which are competitively priced, along with other more affordable accommodation. The procedure for visa entry into Jordan is also more straightforward than other countries in the region.

Having established itself as the number one business summit for Iraq, Iraq Procurement 2005 -Amman will look to further build on its success. Pre-registrations have already been received by a large number of those who attended this year's events and who are keen to extend their reach and further build relationships with the key decision makers in Iraq.