# Presentation: 411758

## IRAQ and AFGHANISTANINVESTMENT & RECONSTRUCTIONOPPORTUNITIES

**JAY BRANDES**
**Director**
**Iraq and Afghanistan Investment & Reconstruction Task Forces**
**International Trade Administration**
**U.S. Department of Commerce**
**Washington, D.C.**

## Iraq ReconstructionTask Force Background

- Created in March 2003 by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans to support the President’s mission to rebuild Iraq.
- Purpose
- Primary U.S. Government information liaison with the business community (including Coalition partner companies) on Iraq reconstruction and private sector opportunities.
- Supports U.S. Embassy efforts to improve the commercial environment in Iraq.
- Coordinates Commerce Department efforts with the Iraqi-American community.

## Task ForceProducts and Services

- Website:  www.export.gov/iraq
- “Business Guide for Iraq”
- “Doing Business in Iraq FAQs”
- “Traveling to Iraq FAQs”
- Chart of awarded USG contracts/subcontracts
- “Overview of Commercial Law in Pre-War Iraq”
- “Overview of CPA Orders Affecting Iraqi Commercial Law”
- IraqAlert e-mail service
- TenderAlert e-mail service
- Success Stories

**Notes:**
“Overview of Iraqi Commercial Law” 
This paper describes the commercial legal environment in Iraq at the end of the Saddam Hussein Regime.  Subjects covered by this paper have been significantly affected by Orders, Regulations, and other issuances of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).  For more information on these changes, please review “Overview of CPA Orders Affecting Iraqi Commercial Law,” available under KEY DOCS on the IIRTF website.

## USDOC TenderAlerts

**Tender:****	****	****	****Fill and Install Sandbags**
- Contracting Agency:		Iraq Project and Contracting Office				Baghdad, Iraq
- Solicitation Number:		FY5866-05-Q-0010
- Document type:			Solicitation
- Posted Date:			October 03, 2004
- Close Date:			December 30, 2004
- For more information, visit:
- http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net/portal/page?_pageid=75,79019&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&40470_RFP_DISPLAY_PORTLET_49519129.p_rfpNumber=FY5866-05-Q-0010
- Point of Contact:
-  Kenneth Kitahara; Phone: 703-343-9225

**Notes:**
The IIRTF has launched “TenderAlert,” a service that highlights tender opportunities through U.S. and Iraqi Government procurement(s).

## Security Situation in Iraq

-   Where to find more information on security:
-  **List of Security Companies Active in Iraq**
-  http://travel.state.gov/travel/iraq_securitycompanies.html
-   **General Security information**
-  www.travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html
-  www.export.gov/iraq

- Security is a Manageable Risk

**Notes:**
Entering the Market: serious travel advisory in effect by the U.S. Dept. of State.  If you are traveling to Iraq:	(1) Hire security
	(2) Secure appropriate Insurance
	(3) Hire a guide/translator – a “must” to get around safely
	(4) Register your presence with the U.S. Consul General in Iraq.

## Security Firms Working in Iraq

**  **AD Consultancy
-   AKE Limited
-   ArmorGroup
-   Baghdad Fire & Security
-   Control Risks Group
-   Custer Battles
-   Diligence Middle East
-   DYNCORP International
-   Erinys Iraq Limited
-   Genric
-   Global Risk Strategies

** **Group 4 Falck A/S
-   Henderson Risk Limited
-   Hill and Associates, Ltd.
-   ICP Group
-   ISI
-   Meteoric Tactical Solutions
-   Meyer & Associates
-   NKTS Co., Ltd.
-   Olive Security (UK) Limited
-   Optimal Solution Services
-   Overseas Security & Strategic Information, Inc/Safenet – Iraq

*Source*: U.S. Department of State

-  RamOPS Risk Management Group**  **
- SOC-SMG, Inc
-   Sumer International Security
-   TOR International
-   Triple Canopy Inc.
-   Wade-Boyd and Associates LLC
-   Dehdari General Trading & Contracting Est. – Kuwait – Iraq
-   Unity Resources Group (Middle East) LLC

## Iraqi Governance Timeline

**2004**

**Election Commission established**

**Elections for the National Assembly complete**

**Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) Announced and Governing Council dissolved**

**National Assembly completes draft of permanent constitution**

**Referendum for permanent constitution**

**Elections for government completed**

**Elected government assumes office**

**2005**

**Phase I**
**(Interim Government)**

**Iraqi Transitional Government takes power**

**Phase II **
**(Elected Government)**

**National Conference convenes and selects Interim National Council**

**Transfer sovereignty from CPA to IIG**

**Notes:**
Hussain Hindawi, president of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI), is tasked with making sure next year's elections come off as scheduled. Despite the continuing violence across the country, Hindawi, a former journalist who recently returned to Iraq, remains optimistic elections can be held on Jan. 30, 2005...the date was announced by the IECI on Nov. 21.

A 275-member Transitional National Assembly/Parliament will be elected.  The election will treat the whole country as one constituency.  Political parties will submit lists of candidates.  Parties or groups with militias cannot run for election, nor can former senior Baathists or current members of the armed forces.  The results will be by exact proportional representation which means that each party will get the same proportion of seats in the Assembly as it gets in the popular vote.

## Iraqi Interim Government

**June 28 Transfer of Authority**
- Transitional Administrative Law (TAL)
**Structure**
**Executive**
- President
- Sheikh Ghazi Ajil Al-Yawar
- 2 Deputy Presidents
- Dr. Ibrahim Jaafari
- Dr. Rowsch Shaways
- Prime Minister
- Dr. Ayad Allawi
- Administration of Government
- Council of Ministers
**Judicial**
- Judicial Authority
**Legislative**
- Interim National Council (100 members)
- Transitional Government (election by Jan. 31 2005)
- Draft Constitution
**Permanent Iraqi Government**
- Constitutional Election

**Notes:**
Timeline
June 2004: Interim Government Announced
June 28: Full Sovereignty Restored
August 2004: National Council Convened for first time
Jan. 2005: Democratic Elections/Transitional Government
Oct. 2005: Ratification of the new Constitution
Dec. 2005: Constitutionally-Based Elections/Constitutional Government

## Iraqi Ministers

-   Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Sawsan Ali Magid Al-Sharifi
-   Ministry of Communication, Dr. Mohamed Ali Alhakim
-   Ministry of Housing & Construction, Dr. Omar al-Farouq Salim al-Damluji
-   Ministry of Culture, Mr. Mufid Muhammad Juwad al-Jaza'iri
-   Ministry of Defense , Mr. Hazim Sha’llan
-   Ministry of Education, Dr. Sami al-Mudhaffar
-   Ministry of Electricity, Dr. Aiham Alsammarae
-   Ministry of Environment, Ms. Mishkat Moumin
-   Ministry of Displacement and Migration, Ms. Pascale Soryo Isho
-   Ministry of Finance, Dr. Adel Abdul Mahdi
-   Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hushiyar Mahmud Muhammed al-Zibari
-   Ministry of Health, Dr. Ala'din Abdul Sahib Alwan
-   Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Taher Khalaf Jabur al-Bakaa

-   Ministry of Human Rights, Dr. Bakhtiar Amin
-   Ministry of Industry & Minerals, Dr. Hajim M. Al-Hassani
-   Ministry of Interior, Mr. Falah al-Nakib
-   Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Latif Rashid
-   Ministry of Justice, Dr. Mailk Dohan al-Hassan
-   Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs, Ms. Leyla Abdul Latif
-   Ministry of Oil, Mr. Thamir Abbas Ghadban
-   Ministry of Planning, Dr. Mehdi Al-Hafedh
-   Ministry of Public Works, Mrs. Nasreen Mustafa Sadiq Barwari
-   Ministry of Science & Technology, Rashad  Mandan Omar
-   Ministry of Trade, Mr. Mohammed al-Jibouri
-   Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Louay Hatem Sultan al-Erris
-   Ministry of Youth & Sports, Ali Fa’iq al-Ghabhan

## From CPA to Embassy

**June 28 Transfer of Authority**
- Dissolution of the CPA
- Establishment of the U.S. Embassy in Iraq
**Structural Change**
- U.S. Embassy
- Ambassador John Negroponte
- Project and Contracting Office (PCO - formerly Program Management Office or PMO)
- The PCO has taken over contracting functions of the old PMO
- Foreign Commercial Service (FCS)
- 2 American Officers
- 6-8 Foreign Service Nationals
- Representation from Departments of Agriculture, Treasury, other agencies

**Notes:**
Transition in US Presence
June 28: Full Sovereignty Restored

IRMO now oversees PCO (State Department vs. DoD)

## Business Opportunities

**   ****USG Contracts and Subcontracts**
-   State Department
-   Department of Defense
-   Treasury, Justice, Health and Human Services
-   Resources
-   **USAID** (http://www.usaid.gov/iraq/activities.html)
-   **Iraq Project & Contracting Office** (www.rebuilding-iraq.net)
-   **Federal Business Opportunities** (www.fedbizopps.gov)
-   **Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force** (www.export.gov/iraq/market_ops/contracts.html)
-    **U.N. Contracts** (http://www.ungm.org/)
-    **Iraqi Ministry Tenders**
-    **World Bank/Donor Projects**
-    **Private Sector Trade and Investment**
-   **SOEs**: www.iraqcoalition.org/business/industries
**  ****Ministry of Industry & Minerals SOEs:** www.export.gov/iraq

## Private Sector Firms

-  Advanced Technology Systems
-  Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
-  Business Satellite Solutions
-  Constellation Networks Corp.
-  Fargo Electronics, Inc.
-  Home Essentials
-  iDirect Technologies
-  The Khudairi Group

-  Novitech LLC
-  O’Shea Ltd.
-  PepsiCo, Inc.
-  Proctor & Gamble Company
-  The Sandi Group
-  Texas Armoring Corporation
-  Transoceanic Shipping
-  Unison
-  United Parcel Service

*Source*: U.S. Department of Commerce

**Notes:**
The 17 companies listed on this slide include investors and exporters and represent small, medium, and large firms.  The IIRTF has a list 32 other commercial success stories that are not cleared for distribution due to security concerns.

## Supplemental Appropriation

**   ****Approved by Congress in October 2003**
**   ****Subcontracts: **Open to companies from all countries, except:
-   Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria
**   ****$9 Billion**** for Infrastructure**, including:
-   Electricity
-   Water Resources and Sanitation
-   Public Works
-   Oil Infrastructure
-   Health Care
-   Transportation and Telecommunications
**   ****$6 Billion**** for Non-Construction Projects**
-   Including law enforcement, public safety infrastructure, justice, and civil society.
**   ****$4 Billion**** Hold-Back Funds**

**Notes:**
The $18.4 billion supplemental has been divided into three (3) primary areas of funding for contracting.
 Approximately $9 billion in construction contracts, divided into 2 parts:
 $4B USAID ($2B for electricity and other priorities; $2B for oil restoration in the North and South)
 $5B for the 17 prime contracts awarded in March 2004.
 $6 billion for non-construction projects, such as police training and purchasing military equipment.
 $4 billion for hold back funds.
	The hold back funds are not designated for anything specific, rather we have identified the need to address changing project priorities; and second, we need the 	flexibility to address new requirements as they arise.  It makes good business sense to keep some funds uncommitted, it allows for adequate planning, and will reflect 	good stewardship of taxpayer funds.

## US Reconstruction Contracts

**$5 Billion - 2004**

**  ****Program Management Services**
**  ****7 contracts ****(Awarded March 10)**
-   PCO Support:	1 contract
-   Program Sectors:	6 contracts
-   Public Works and Water
-   Transportation/Communications
-   Security/Justice
-   Buildings/Education/Health
-   Electrical Services
-   Oil
**  ****Design/Build construction RFPs falling under the 6 Program Sectors**
**  ****10 contracts ****(Awarded March 10-26)**

## C   O   N   S   T   R   U   C   T   I   O   N         C   O   N   T   R   A   C   T   S 

**PenRen**

**Navy**

**Army**

**Generation**
**$500M Ceiling**
**Fluor-AMEC JV**

**Electrical **
**$500K Minimum**
**Up to $1,500M**

**Public Works/Water**
**$500K Minimum**
**Up to $1,700M**

**Security/Justice**
**$500K Minimum**
**Up to $900M**

**Bldgs/Educ/**
**Health**
**$500K Minimum**
**Up to $500M**

**Oil**
**$500K Minimum**
**Up to $827M**

**Comm/Transp**
**$500K Minimum**
**Up to $ 400M**

**USAID**

**USAID Capacity Contract (up to $2B) **– $1.8b max AWARDED TO Bechtel-USA, Parsons-USA, Horne Engineering-USA

**Electrical Sector**
**(Up to $55M )**
**$43,361,340 to**
**Iraq Power Alliance JV**

**Program Management Office (PMO) Services ****(Up to $50M**)
**$21,610,501 to** **AECOM**

**Public Works/Water**
**(Up to $55M )**
**$28,494,672 to**
**CH2M Hill and PWI JV**

**Comm/Transp**
**(Up to $15M )**
**$8,458,350.05 to**
**Berger/URS JV**

**Security/Justice**
**(Up to $30M)**
**$8,458,350.05 to **
**Berger/URS JV**

**Oil**
**(Up to $30M )**
**$8,416,985 to**
**Foster Wheeler**

**Bldgs/Edu/Health**
**(Up to $15M)**
**$10,754,664.07 to**
**Berger/URS JV**

**Transmission & **
**Distribution NORTH**
**$500M Ceiling**
**Washington Intl Inc**

**Transmission & **
**Distribution SOUTH**
**$500M Ceiling**
**Perini Corp**

**NORTH**
**$600M Ceiling**
**Fluor-AMEC JV**

**SOUTH**
**$500M Ceiling**
**Fluor-AMEC JV**

**Water Resources**
**$600M Ceiling**
**Wash Intl &**
** ****Black & Veatch JV**

**Communications**
**$75M Ceiling **
**Lucent Technologies **
**World Services, Inc.**

**Transportation**
**$325M Ceiling**
**Contrack/AICI/OCI/**
**Archirodon JV**

**Bldgs/Educ/Health**
**$500M Ceiling**
**Parsons Delaware Inc.**

**Security/Justice**
**$900M Ceiling**
**Parsons Delaware Inc.**

**NORTH**
**Max $800m CPAF**
**Awarded: 16 Jan 04**
**Parsons Iraq JV**

**SOUTH**
**Max $1.6B CPAF**
**KBR Inc.**

**C   O   N   S   T   R   U   C   T   I   O   N         C   O   N   T   R   A   C   T   S**

**Contracting Agency:**

## Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund

**$3.4 Billion ****Reallocation**

**From**
-  $1.94 Billion		Water and Sewerage
-  $1.07 Billion		Electricity
-  $450 Million		Oil (refined oil purchases)
**To **
-  $1.8 Billion		Security and Law Enforcement
-  $450 Million		Oil Infrastructure Enhancements/Improved 			Export Capacity
-  $380 Million		Economic Development
-  $360 Million		Debt Forgiveness ($4 Billion Owed to U.S.)
-  $286 Million		Iraqi Employment
-  $180 Million		Democracy and Governance

**Notes:**
Q:
Why is it necessary to allocate $1.8 billion to security?   How will these funds be used?  
A:
Enhancing security by helping the Iraqis defeat terrorists and criminal elements is the first step in promoting successful reconstruction efforts in Iraq.  An uncertain security situation affects all potential economic and political development, including private investment, both foreign and domestic.  The $1.8 billion for security will be used to train and equip an additional:

45,000 police officers
16,000 border officers
21,000 Iraqi National Guardsmen

This revised spending plan will raise the overall security force projection over the next two (2) years to approximately 270,000 trained and equipped security force personnel.

## Subcontracting Strategies

**   ****Prime contractors responsible for choosing subcontractors**
-  U.S. Small Business: **10% minimum**; **23% goal**.
**   ****Register on prime contractor websites and meet with them.**
-    **Iraqi Participation (prime contractor incentives)**
- Look for Iraqi partners at:
-   www.iraqibusinesscenter.org    OR    www.ibcguide.org 					(not vetted)
**   ****Factor cost of insurance (Defense Base Act) and security**
**   ****Review Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)**
-  http://farsite.hill.af.mil/
**   ****Review “About the PCO”**
-  PCO website: _www.rebuilding-iraq.net/_

**Notes:**
The prime contractors of the U.S.-funded reconstruction contracts referred to in this presentation are required to allocate 10% of the total dollar value of the contract, but are encouraged through incentives to fulfill 23%, of a contract to U.S. small, disadvantaged, or minority businesses.  Small businesses interested in pursuing business opportunities in Iraq should demonstrate relevant experience, financial capability, capacity to proceed quickly and the aptitude to navigate a complex business environment, in addition to meeting specific contract criteria.

Information on Defense Based Act is available on our website.  All U.S. government contractors and subcontractors working outside the United States must secure workers' compensation insurance for their civilian employees, including U.S. citizens, as well as third country and local nationals. This insurance is referred to as “Defense Base Act” (DBA), named after the 1941 legislation that establishes the coverage requirements.  For example, even a subcontractor sending only two employees overseas for a short period of time must provide coverage. Subcontractors need to make sure that the main contractor has the traveling personnel covered and, if not, the subcontractor must obtain and carry the insurance.

DBA benefits include:
·  Medical Treatment
·  Loss of Wages Reimbursement
·  Disability and Death Benefits

An Example of How Prime Contractors are Evaluated for their Award Fees 
(seems to be the same for all, but I am not sure, this is just an example)
Technical
Schedule Adherence (18%)
Cost Control (18%)
Technical Services/Quality Control (18%)
Health & Safety (Contractor and Public) (6%)
Management
Program Execution/Quality Management (16%)
Training, Development, and Transition (16%)
Includes language on the hiring and training of Iraqis
Subcontractor Goals (8%)
Includes “Meeting and/or exceeding Small Business utilization goals (10% required, 23% goal desired)”

##  Private Sector Developments

- Foreign investors can wholly own Iraqi entities in most industry sectors
- Foreign companies receive equal treatment
- Foreigners can lease real property for 40 years
- Corporate and personal income taxes limited to 15%
- Reconstruction Levy, or flat import tariff, of 5%
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Laws Updated
- New Iraqi Dinar (NID) freely exchanged and stable since mid-February
- Trade Bank of Iraq established
- Local business centers operating in Baghdad, Kirkuk, Basra, & Mosul
- Company Commercial Law 21 amended by CPA to facilitate registration of companies (CPA Order No. 64)
- Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) open.

**Notes:**
On September 19th, 2003, the CPA and Iraqi Governing Council put into effect a new Foreign Investment Order (CPA Order #39 – Amended by Order 46), Tax Order (CPA Order # 37), and Tariff Order (CPA Order # 38 – Amended per order 70).

Investment - intended to attract new foreign investment to Iraq – excluded sectors include insurance and oil.  Foreign firms may wholly open and own companies, or buy 100 percent of Iraqi businesses, receive national treatment, and have an unrestricted right to remit profits and capital.  Foreigners may not own Iraqi property, but can lease it up to 40 years or duration of foreign investment. 
Taxes - the highest marginal tax rate on personal and corporate income tax is 15 percent.  
Tariffs - CPA Order 54 (amended by Order #70) introduced a 5 percent reconstruction levy on most goods imported into Iraq.  Revenue generated by the levy will be deposited in the general fund to be used for the betterment of the Iraqi people.  Certain goods, including food, medicines, medical equipment, books, clothing, and goods imported for humanitarian assistance are exempt, as are public and private organizations involved in the reconstruction of Iraq.  People entering the country with goods valued under 500,000 Iraqi Dinars (intended for personal use and not for sale), are also be exempt. 

IPR - The Coalition Provisional Authority, with the concurrence of the Governing Council, issued Order No. 80 ("Amendment to the Trademarks and Descriptions Law No. 21 of 1957"), Order No. 81 ("Patent, Industrial Design, Undisclosed Information, Integrated Circuits and Plant Variety Law"), and Order No. 83 ("Amendment to the Copyright Law). These orders are designed to bring Iraq's laws on patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, undisclosed information (trade secrets), integrated circuits and plant varieties up to current internationally-recognized standards of protection, in particular those required by the World Trade Organization.

Banking Order #40 *(Rescinded and replaced by Order 94)*:  Foreign banks are free to enter Iraq and will receive equal treatment with Iraqi banks. On October 15th, Iraq launched a new currency, the New Iraqi Dinar (NID), which is floated against the world's currencies.

The Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) was established to finance purchases by the Iraqi Ministries.  JP Morgan Chase & Co. serves as the consortium operator.
	* As of November 2004, the TBI has issued 670 letters-of-credit, totaling $2.5 Billion, covering imports from 45 countries. At least 21 LOC under oil-for-food.  
	* One letter of credit insured by Export-Import Bank.

Business Centers operating in Baghdad, Kirkuk, Basra, and Mosul provide an array of services to foster business relationships between Iraqi firms and international and regional partners.

Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) started trading on June 24, 2004.  Foreigners are allowed to hold stock.  The exchange is open for 2 hours a day twice a week.

## Accomplishments

- Commercial banks are operating
- New Iraqi Dinar (NID)
- Port of Umm Qasr opened to commercial cargo
- Oil
- Electricity
- Telecommunications
- 1,000’s of infrastructure projects completed
- Employment
- Education
- Thousands of schools re-supplied and re-opened
- Company Registration
- WTO Observer Status
- Foreign investors arriving
- Pepsico, Mitsubishi, John Deere, IBM
- Trade is increasing
- Home Essentials, O’Shea Ltd., Proctor & Gamble, Transoceanic, Advance Tech Systems, Unison, Eagle Global, Sandi Group
- Iraqi Ministries Launching Websites

**Notes:**
Banking 
19 private Iraqi banks are now operating and 3 licenses have been granted to foreign banks (licenses are valid for 40 years): HSBC Bank (U.K.), Standard Chartered Bank (U.K.), and the National Bank of Kuwait...these 3 banks should begin operations by year-end 2004.  12 of the eligible private banks signed up for visa payment system.  There are also 6 State-Owned Banks in Iraq-Rafidain, Rasheed, and 4 specialized banks (Real Estate, Industrial, social and Agriculture), which have the 315 state-owned bank branches. 
According to Mike Fleischer:Deposits in private Iraqi banks deposits rose 60% between Sept. 2003 and Feb. 2004
Lending activity increased by 23 percent in the same time.
Currency At the New Iraqi Dinar (NID) auction on November 02, the settlement price was 1,460 dinars per USD.
Port of Umm Qasr is open to commercial cargo, however reconstruction and humanitarian shipments are given priority.
Oil production is approaching pre-War levels.
Telecommunications: 2,000,000+ subscriptions nationwide...69.9 percent greater than the number of active landline subscribers pre-war.
Landlines: There are now 950,000 active landline telephone subscribers in Iraq, compared to 833,000 subscribers pre-war, a 14% increase.
Wireless: The three major cell phone companies in Iraq (Asia Cell, Iraqna, and Atheer in the North, Central, and South respectively) continue to enroll new cell phone subscribers.  Cell phone subscribers total 1,078,000 nationwide, 143% above pre-war level.
Employment
 In January, the Iraqi Ministry of Planning reported a national unemployment rate of 28% and underemployment rate of 21.6%.
A survey suggests that private sector employment has risen from 25% to 50% of the Iraqi economy.
According to Mike Fleischer:  Wages have increased in Iraq.  Teachers used to make $10/month under Saddam and now are making $200/mo.  Doctors were making $20/month and are now making $150/month
Education (these are slightly dated numbers)
2,358 schools rehabilitated.
> 8 million books printed and distributed.
31,772 secondary school teachers and administrative staff trained.
Company Registration
According to Mike Fleischer: Number of domestic company registrations has tripled recently.  Over 5000 domestic Iraqi companies have registered since April 2003.

## Next Steps

- Prime contractors and subcontractors implement thousands of Iraq reconstruction projects, funded by the $18.4 billion appropriation
- U.S. Embassy ramps up in Baghdad
- Interim Government prepares for elections of the Transitional Government
- Drafting of permanent constitution by Transitional Government
- Referendum on constitution and elections for the new government
- New democratically elected government takes power

**Notes:**
Hussain Hindawi, president of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI), is tasked with making sure next year's elections come off as scheduled. Despite the continuing violence across the country, Hindawi, a former journalist who recently returned to Iraq, remains optimistic elections can be held on Jan. 30, 2005...the date was announced by the IECI on Nov. 21.

A 275-member Transitional National Assembly/Parliament will be elected.  The election will treat the whole country as one constituency.  Political parties will submit lists of candidates.  Parties or groups with militias cannot run for election, nor can former senior Baathists or current members of the armed forces.  The results will be by exact proportional representation which means that each party will get the same proportion of seats in the Assembly as it gets in the popular vote.

## Key Contacts (US)

- Iraq Reconstruction Task Force:
- 	Web site:  			http://www.export.gov/iraq 		Telephone:			1-866-352-IRAQU.S. Embassy Baghdad			http://iraq.usembassy.gov
- Department of State				http://www.state.gov/iraq
- Iraq Project and Contracting Office		http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net
- Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA)		http://www.iraqcoalition.org
- USAID		  			http://www.usaid.gov/iraqDepartment of Defense			http://www.usace.army.mil
- Department of Treasury			http://www.treas.gov
- Department of Agriculture			http://www.fas.usda.gov
- Department of Health and Human Services 	http://www.hhs.gov
- Export-Import Bank				http://www.exim.gov
- Overseas Private Investment Corporation		http://www.opic.gov
- U.S. Trade and Development Agency		http://www.ustda.gov

## Key Contacts (Iraq)

- Iraqi Embassy, Washington, DC			http://consul.iraqiembassy.org
- Baghdad Municipal Government			http://www.baghdadmayoralty.com
- Ministry of Water Resources			http://www.iraqi-mwr.org
- Ministry of Agriculture			http://www.iraqmoa.com
- Ministry of Communication			http://www.uruklink.net/moc
- Ministry of Construction and Housing		http://www.uruklink.net/moch
- Ministry of Displacement and Migration		http://www.modm-iraq.com
- Ministry of Education				http://www.moeiraq.info
- Ministry of Electricity				http://www.uruklink.net/electric
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs			http://www.iraqmofa.net
- Ministry of Health				http://www.mohiraq.org
- Ministry of Higher Education			http://www.iraquniversities.org
- Ministry of Industry and Minerals		http://www.iraqiindustry.com
- Ministry of Oil				http://www.uruklink.net/oil
- Ministry of Trade				http://www.motiraq.org
- Ministry of Transportation			http://www.iraqitransport.com

## Key Contacts (Iraq)

- Central Bank of Iraq				http://www.uruklink.net/cbi
- Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX)			http://www.isx-iq.net
- Trade Bank of Iraq				http://www.tbiraq.com
- Iraqi Business Center 			http://www.iraqibusinesscenter.org
- Kirkuk Business Center			http://kirkuk-business-center.org
- Mosul Business Center			http://www.ninevehbusinesscenter.org
- Basra Business Centre			http://www.basrabusinesscentre.com
- Iraqi Company Registry			http://www.ibcguide.org (not vetted)

## Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force

- Counsels U.S. companies interested in rebuilding and investing in Afghanistan
- Website
- 	http://www.export.gov/afghanistan
- “Doing Business in Afghanistan FAQs”
- “Afghanistan Business Primer: Practical Tips for Successful Business Operations”
- AfghanInfo e-mail alert service

**Notes:**
AfghanInfo Alerts:

AfghanInfo alerts include commercial developments, industry highlights, and some procurement opportunities such as for ADB projects.

## Opportunities in Afghanistan

- Business Opportunities
- U.S. Government Procurement
- Federal Business Opportunities: www.fedbizopps.gov
- Afghan Government Procurement
- www.afghanistangov.org/aaca/procurement
- World Bank and Asian Development Bank
- Investment
- Allows 100% foreign ownership
- Afghan Investment Support Agency (AISA)
- one-stop shop for investment (www.aisa.org.af)

**Notes:**

Afghan Government Procurement Unit
www.afghanistangov.org/aaca/procurement
This is the Afghan government’s central procurement resource. 
Visit this website to download a form to register your company to be listed as a possible supplier to the Afghan government.

## Thank You!Questions Welcome

**JAY BRANDES**
**Director**
**Iraq and Afghanistan Investment & Reconstruction Task Forces**
**International Trade Administration**
**U.S. Department of Commerce**
**Washington, D.C.**