A New Opportunity

Iraq is the big business unknown in the Middle East.  This one-day briefing looks at where companies can expect to find business and the practicalities of working in Iraq. It brings together experts who have worked in Iraq and the region and those involved with reconstruction.

Business Potential

Opportunities for business in a post-Saddam Iraq will be considerable. Iraq’s oil reserves, estimated in excess of 100 billion barrels, are second only to those of Saudi Arabia. It is expected that there will be considerable spending on Iraq’s run-down infrastructure and dilapidated oil industry. Companies will find opportunities in a wide range of sectors including petro-chemical industries, water, power supply, healthcare, construction, ports, telecommunications, agriculture, transport (road & rail), education, and manufacturing. Competition is likely to be fierce. The most successful companies will be those that have:

§ assessed the business potential,

§ understand the politico-economic environment,

§ an ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.

Key Questions

Questions to be explored include:

· What will be the effect of changed political circumstances on business?
· How to create and develop business opportunities in a post-Saddam Iraq?
· Where are the areas of greatest business opportunity?
· What sort of problems will businesses face in the new Iraq?
· Who will be the new decision-makers?

Speakers

The briefing had been chaired by Oliver Miles chairman of MEC with extensive knowledge of Iraq. Other speakers  have country, sectoral or financial expertise.

Documents

We have produced a number of background documents built on this briefing.

These include:   An MEC market assessment
                        An analysis of international AID for Iraq
                        A US contact list
                        An attendee’s list
                        A speaker’s list

We will be sending these reports as well as a description of the Iraq Business Network at the price of £250 plus VAT.

The network brings together companies with a common interest in Iraq.

Organisation

The meeting builds on an earlier briefing run by MEC to review a study of the sanctions-related business opportunities in Iraq. MEC is a business development company focused on the Middle East. Details on www.meconsult.co.uk.

For Further Details

If you have any further queries please feel free to contact us.

Summary

The network brings together a group of companies with an interest in the Iraqi market and complementary skills to exchange news and identify potential business partners

What

Companies in the network will:

Receive business news updates on developments in Iraq
Receive the IBN security brief every week
Access an analytical group of senior observers commenting on real-time developments
Exchange news on market developments and offer client cross-introductions
Be able to call an Iraq business telephone hotline for advice on matters of the moment

Who

The network is run by MEC International which has twenty years experience of business development in the Middle East calling on combined expertise of those with backgrounds in diplomacy, banking and commerce. Details can be found on.

How

MEC’s current Iraq service includes:

Briefings on developments to allow news to be discussed and for companies to network with like-minded entities.

Political risk studies on changes in Iraq and surrounding countries.

Analysis of developments as they occur through a high-level analytical group.

Help in identifying partners on the ground.

Due diligence enquiries relating to joint ventures and similar.

In-country partner identification.

Registration

Interested companies are invited to indicate their interest so that they can be sent fuller details by sending details of their company, its expertise and market interest in Iraq. 

Membership subscription is £ 250 + VAT where applicable.

If you wish to take part or require further information please contact us.

Background

MEC offers its consultancy services through the MEC Iraq New Business Group. The Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad is encouraging international business houses in the energy, water, construction, power generation, distribution, security, and telecoms sectors to establish a presence in Iraq. The invitation is for international businesses to compete for contracts and provide personnel and expertise to develop the economy, re-establish the national infrastructure including pipelines, refineries, pumping stations, and energy export loading terminals, water, telecoms services, and health care throughout the country. This provides a unique opportunity to international businesses to target the Iraqi market.

Political and Security Background

Security conditions within Iraq are fragile; and the re-establishment of the economy has proved to be slow. There are signs of continued resistance to US, British and other security forces already in place. As a result the oil and gas infrastructure of Iraq has come under attack and for the time being the intention to increase energy exports is likely to be delayed. Nevertheless, the Iraqi Ministry of Oil as well as other ministries are functioning in an effective manner, and the time for interested businesses to position themselves in the Iraqi market is now.

MEC Proposal

MEC International Ltd, working jointly with the Al-Sewaidi Law Offices in Baghdad, offers its consultancy and advisory services together with its reporting and analytical capability to provide the necessary guidance and information that businesses will require to handle all the complexities of the rapidly changing situation within Iraq and achieve a successful entry into the Iraqi market.

MEC Consultancy Services:

The MEC consultancy services jointly with the Al-Sewaidi Law Offices in Baghdad work at both the strategic and tactical levels and comprise the following:
a) a tailored information service covering security and political risk in Iraq.

b) An introductory service to Iraqi ministries, the CPA, The Iraq Governing Council, leading businessmen and other points of market entry.

c) A local partner introduction service.

d) A due diligence and investigations service covering Iraqi individuals, corporations and state organisations.

e) A furnished office accommodation with IT and email services constituting a local base in Baghdad, combined with a hands on advisory service.

Consultancy Costs and Fees

International companies are invited to consult MEC on how to take the first steps in establishing their presence in Iraq; to discuss security conditions; to seek advice on partnership identification; and to rent secure accommodation. The MEC input will be provided partly by MEC elements on the ground in Baghdad, partly via contacts in Amman, and partly by MEC personnel located in London in a combination yet to be decided. MEC consultancy services can be provided bundled together as a package or via individual activities. Consultancy fees can be quoted per diem, weekly or monthly to suit the needs of the client.

For Further Details

For additional information please contact Ian Walker or Geoffrey Hancock at MEC International, Granville House, 132-135 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9AX; Tel 020 7591 4816; Fax 7591 4801; email queries(at)meconsult.co.uk