devinitorg/iati-policy-markers huggingface dataset:
Basrah Gas Co Basrah Gas Company (BGC) is an Iraqi midstream natural gas company created to gather, treat and process associated gas flared at oil fields in southern Iraq. BGC commenced operations in May 2013 and operates compressor stations, various gas processing plants, a pipeline network and a storage and marine terminal for export. It produces dry gas for sale into the Iraqi gas grid, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and condensate for local consumption and export. The project entails the design and installation of a new gas processing plant, the Basrah Natural Gas Liquids (BNGL) facility, part of a broader expansion plan to increase BGCs raw gas processing capacity from 1 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd) currently to 1.4 bscfd by 2024. The project is expected to significantly reduce gas flaring and increase domestic gas production in Iraq, with the potential to deliver significant environmental, economy-wide and stakeholder effects. This includes a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, positive impacts on Iraq's balance of payments and fiscal revenues, and an improvement in energy access and affordability. The project is expected to improve the resilience of Iraq's energy sector by reducing reliance on more polluting energy sources such as high-sulfur fuel oil or crude oil for power generation, and will also reduce the need to import gas. The project also has significant sustainability effects from supporting the country's transition to a lower carbon path.
Magma Square 0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0.0000       Malia Invest S.A.L  . (Malia Invest or Company), a company incorporated in Beirut, Lebanon, is planning to develop   a greenfield, multi-functional entertainment center of   16,685 sqm being constructed in   Sulaymaniyah, Iraq (Project). The proposed IFC investment in Magma Square is expected to result in the following benefits: (i) improvements in the urban infrastructure surrounding the commercial center; (ii) better consumer choices in view that the clustering of competitors facilitates price/offer comparisons and improves consumers' knowledge, resulting in higher quality goods available at lower prices for the customer; (iii) improvements in the quality of goods sold, especially food and fresh produce; (iv) increase in standards for hygiene and safety in product handling and storage;  (v) increase in business for and improvements in practices and standards of local product suppliers, especially food and fresh products that filter through to other retail formats; and (vi) creation of more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction and operational stage.  In addition, as in many other malls, the proposed Project is expected to attract other developments to the area, creating a demonstration effect and contributing to the overall community development.
Umm Qasr Project Aloreen Company for Investments (Aloreen or the Company) has been operating under the commercial name of Basra Multipurpose Terminal a multipurpose terminal (Terminal 1) at the Umm Qasr port (the Port) in Iraq. Terminal 1 has been operational since March 2016 under a 25-year concession agreement with the General Council for the Ports of Iraq. The Company is now seeking to increase its overall capacity by developing a new terminal exclusively dedicated to containers (Terminal 2). Once completed Terminal 2 is expected to have an annual handling capacity of approximately 400.000 twenty foot equivalent units. The Project will increase the port's container handling capacity facilitating Iraq's trade growth with the Middle east region as well as the further afield countries. The additional capacity and equipment will introduce operational efficiencies leading to a faster ship turnaround. The Project will also improve the port infrastructure in Iraq facilitating international integration and trade. This is particularly important given the expected increase in imports amid the reconstruction of Iraq after years of armed conflict.
Karbala Cement Manufacturing Limited Karbala Cement Manufacturing Ltd (KCML) is an Iraqi company that entered in April 2010, into an agreement with the Government of Iraq for the leasing, rehabilitation and production-sharing of a state-owned cement plant in Karbala, southern Iraq for 15 years (starting October 2010).   The project entails a loan to support the development of KCMLs 2.3 million ton per annum (mtpa) cement plant located near Karbala, Iraq. This is a follow-on investment to KCML, with an earlier IFC investment made in 2012. The IFC loan will help KCML complete the rehabilitation of the cement plant. The rehabilitation work is being undertaken jointly by the original equipment supplier Polysius and Sinoma, an experienced Chinese EPC contractor. The development impact of the Project is expected to include: (i) helping an existing client through a difficult time to ensure completion of the cement plant rehabilitation; (ii) increased supply of quality cement to meet Iraq''s needs for reconstruction, and a corresponding reduction in the current domestic supply gap, which will help substitute imports and lead to foreign exchange savings; (iii) modernization and standard-setting of the cement sector in Iraq, which has historically been dominated by state-owned plants; (iv) demonstration effect of attracting other potential foreign investors who could help bring much-needed FDI into Iraq; (v) increased business opportunities for local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved along the supply chain, particularly in the areas of logistics and distribution.
NBK Iraq Project The project comprises an equity investment of up to New Iraqi Dinar (NID) 50 billion ($35 million equivalent at current exchange rates) in order to acquire an 85% holding in, and provide incremental capital to, Credit Bank of Iraq (CBI), an existing Iraqi commercial bank.  The project will be undertaken jointly by IFC and National Bank of Kuwait (NBK). Their respective holdings in CBI post-completion will be 10% and 75%.  NBK will also assume management control.  The remaining 15% will be retained by CBIs existing shareholders, including several Iraqi industrial groups and a number of individual investors. The purpose of the project is to combine CBIs local knowledge and brand recognition with the international experience and expertise of NBK and IFC in order to build over the medium term an efficient modern bank offering a full range of products and services to domestic and international clients.
Zain-Iraq Project This investment involves the strengthening and expansion of a nationwide GSM cellular telephone network in Iraq, owned by Atheer Telecom Iraq Limited (Zain Iraq or the Company).

Formerly known as MTC-Atheer, Zain Iraq launched operations in Iraq in December 2003, having been awarded a temporary (24-month) license to provide mobile telecommunications services in southern Iraq. (Similar temporary licenses were awarded to Asiacell Communications Company Limited (Asiacell) for northern Iraq and Orascom Telecom Iraq Corporation (Iraqna) for central Iraq.)  In August 2007, the Iraqi government auctioned three, new nationwide licenses to replace the existing short-term contracts.  Five bidders took part in the auction. Ultimately, Zain Iraq, Asiacell and Korek Telecom, an operator based in northern Iraq, won fifteen-year licenses for a fee of US$1.25 billion each.  Citing the high price, Iraqna withdrew from the auction and sold its network to Zain Iraq, in January 2008, for US$1.2 billion equivalent. The acquisition of Iraqna transformed Zain Iraq into the leading mobile operator in Iraq with over 50% market share. Despite the challenging political and security environment, Zain Iraq has continued to strengthen its operations, reaching 10.3 million subscribers as of December 2009. 

Zain Iraq is currently seeking funding to support its 2010-11 investment needs which include: (i) capital expenditures to improve capacity and network quality, and increase customer acquisition efforts especially in underserved areas; (ii) funding the remaining payments for the Companys mobile telecommunications license; and (iii) funding payments related to Zain Iraqs 2008 acquisition of Iraqna. Provide needed investment in a priority fragile and conflict affected country:  Iraqs economic growth has been stunted by years of political instability and violence. The limited private investment that has reached the country has been concentrated in the real estate and oil sectors, which account for over 75% of total FDI. This investment will contribute to the strengthening and diversification of the Iraqi economy. 

Expand telecommunications services: With a population of 30 million and per capita income of US$3,000 (PPP terms), Iraq is one of the poorest countries in the Middle East. Although the telecommunications sector has rebounded in recent years, access to telecommunications continues to be limited and service quality is poor. By extending its network, Zain Iraq will be able to offer communications to remote and underserved populations that previously have not had access to telecommunications services;
Support the delivery of social services: The 2003 conflict as well as ongoing security challenges have interrupted the delivery of basic services in Iraq.  In environments such as these, telecommunications operators are pioneering the delivery of social services such as banking, education and healthcare using the mobile platform. This Project will enable Zain Iraq to expand on these initiatives, and thus extend basic services to a larger share of the population.
Hotel Erbil 2009 Malia Holding s.a.l (the Sponsor or Malia) a Lebanese conglomerate, has invited IFC to consider financing the development of a green-field hotel in the city of Erbil in northern Iraq (Kurdistan region). Hotel Erbil is a five star business hotel, with 201 rooms, 4 restaurants and supporting services for a total estimated project cost of $40.5 million (the Project). Hotel Line for Touristic Investments (the Company) is implemented on a 20,000 m2 parcel of land, purchased by the Sponsor through the Board of Investment of the Kurdistan region. The hotel will be operated by the Rotana Hotels Management Corporation (Rotana or the Operator), a well-known regional hotel management company based in the U.A.E. The Project will foster the development of business infrastructure in Erbil through (i) providing much needed business infrastructure to the employees of development institutions, diplomats, government workers, NGOs, investors, as well as many private companies that are involved in rebuilding Iraq that frequently use Erbil as their home base during their stay and work in other parts of Iraq; (ii) benefiting the municipal city planning by providing infrastructure for business development such as conference rooms and business centers; (iii) creating outsourcing opportunities, (iv) creating more than 300 direct jobs and indirect employment; and (v) extensive hotel training that will be provided by Rotana prior to and during operations, which is expected to enhance the overall service quality standards for the hotel industry in the region
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         The proposed project is a syndicated loan facility of up to US$300 million (Loan) to Atheer Telecom Iraq Limited (Zain Iraq or The Company), a leading Mobile Network Operator (MNO) in Iraq and also an existing IFC client.  The Loan will be guaranteed by the parent of Zain Iraq, Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC (Zain Group, the Group or the Sponsor), a Kuwait-based MNO group with operations in 9 countries across Middle East and Africa. The proposed investment will be used to support the investment program of the Company in 2018-2019, including the enhancement of capacity and quality of the 3G network, which is the only means to access to broadband for many of the Iraq population, reconstruction of the 2G and 3G network that were damaged during the conflict with ISIS and expansion of the 3G coverage to currently unserved areas. (a) Project Impact Assessment- (i) increase availability and coverage of the 3G network in Iraq, thus increasing consumers' potential access to mobile broadband; (ii) improve the capacity and quality of the 3G mobile network, allowing consumers to use more data and data applications; (iii) contribute to Iraq's economic growth due to spillover effects across many sectors as a result of increase in mobile broadband penetration.

(b) Market Impact Assessment- (i) Resilience - IFC anticipates the project will result in lasting systemic improvements in reconnecting the recently liberated areas with Baghdad, in the absence of landlines, and supporting crisis response and digital identity to displaced and refugee populations, (ii) Competitiveness - IFC anticipates that the project, by improving the capacity of data connectivity in the country, will help improve competitiveness of businesses in Iraq and stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in the country as broadband will provide the businesses access to knowledge and information, banking and payment platforms and boost their productivity.
Lafarge Iraq Lafarges operations in Iraq consist of a 2.5 mtpa cement plant in Bazian, Suleimanyah, and a 2.3 mtpa cement plant in Tasluja, Sulaimaniyah, leased from the Government.  In addition, Lafarge is in the process of finalizing a lease agreement with the Government of Iraq to rehabilitate and operate a 1.8 mtpa cement plant near Kerbala, Iraq.  

The Project has three components: (i) supporting Lafarges expansion and growth in Iraq; (ii) refinancing a portion of Lafarges shareholder loans to the Bazian plant, originally made as a shareholder bridge loan in the absence of banks willing to lend directly into Iraq; and (iii) debt financing to the Kerbala plant. The development impact of the project is expected to include: (i) increased supply of cement to meet Iraqs needs for reconstruction; (ii) substitution of imports from neighboring countries, which will help stabilize prices in the sector; (iii) modernization and standard-setting in the sector, in which Lafarge is currently the only private sector player, and all other plants are state-owned, many of which are small and in poor condition; (iv) demonstration effect on other potential foreign investors who could help bring much-needed FDI into Iraq; (v) job creation; and (vi) tax revenues for the Government of Iraq.
SEEMA hospital A 161 bed multi-disciplinary general hospital with some specializing to address market needs (like cardiology and oncology that require chronic treatment) in Erbil, Kurdistan Region in Iraq (KRI), (the Project or SEEMA). SEEMA market position is to target multiple income groups and with a price point lower than current average and supplemented with significant service quality focus.   Project cost is US$92.0m, which is expected to be financed by:  i. US$65.9 million in equity contribution to be provided by the AlBazzaz Family and Mr. Salam Bradosti.  AlBazzaz Family comprises Mr. Yaseen Taha AlBazzaz (Sponsor), his daughter (Lavan AlBazzaz) and his three sons: Savan Y.AlBazzaz, Muhammed Y. AlBazzaz, and Ahmed Y. AlBazzaz.   ii. US$26.1 million to be financed by IFC debt. Improve accessibility: The Project provides a broad range of effective healthcare services and responds to the substantial gaps in the provision of healthcare. 
Improve affordability: The project expects to charge an average seven percent less than the average of current services provided by other private hospitals.
Market Creation - Competitiveness:  Project will result in significant increase in market competitiveness through better standards and new treatments to the market. In addition to providing competition for existing hospitals, this has potential to promote financing for other hospitals and help develop the market. A number of hospitals' expansion plans are currently on hold due to lack of financing.
GTFP IDB IRAQ The proposed investment is with International Development Bank (IDB or the Bank), consisting of an up to US$10 million of uncommitted trade finance line with tenors up to 12 months under the Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) (the Project). The project builds on GTFPs global platform, increasing access to trade finance in emerging markets. The Project will provide increased access to trade finance to IDBs customers, including both corporates and SMEs. On the market side, the project will further connect IDBs cross-border connections, increasing Iraqs integration through both financial and real sector channels. It will help to link more traders to other countries and connect the countrys financial markets more deeply.
Arjaan Erbil Malia Invest (Holding) sal (Malia Invest or the Company), a Lebanese company focused on developing projects in Iraq, is proposing to set up a multi-use branded extended stay greenfield commercial property project comprising of 20 floors in Erbil, Iraq  (the Project).  The property will be managed by Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, an independent and internationally reputable hospitality management company.  The Project will consist of (i) 154 keys serviced apartments. (ii) two floors of serviced offices space ;  (iv) an all day dining restaurant, roof top bar and gym; and (vi) a 100 parking spaces.  The Company has obtained an investment license and has leased a plot of land with a total surface of 2,300 square meter (sqm) and total builtup area of the project is 23,665 sqm.    Malia Invest currently owns the 201 keys five stars hotel in Erbil (called the Erbil Rotana) located close the project site, and has been in operation since 2010.  The Project is being set up by the Company with a view to capture an increasing demand for service apartments in the growing city of Erbil, where a large number of businesses are setting up their presence. The Project will foster the development of business infrastructure in Erbil through (i) providing much needed business infrastructure to the employees of development institutions, diplomats, government workers, NGOs, investors, as well as many private companies that are involved in rebuilding Iraq that frequently use Erbil as their home base during their stay and work in other parts of Iraq; (ii) benefiting the municipal city planning by providing infrastructure for business development such as conference rooms and business centers; (iii) creating outsourcing opportunities, (iv) creating employment (around 110 employees); and (v) extensive hotel training that will be provided by Rotana prior to and during operations, which is expected to enhance the overall service quality standards for the hospitality industry in the region.
NBI SME Loan The proposed project (the Project) involves an aggregate IFCs investment amount of up to US$20 million to National Bank of Iraq (NBI) in the form of: (i) a senior loan of up to US$10 million with maturity of up to 5 years; and (ii) a senior loan of up to US$10 million with a maturity of up to 3 years.  An interest rate buy-down from the Global Small and Medium Enterprises Financing Initiative (GSMEF) will complement the investment package to help address a key market barrier of access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq. The Project also includes an Advisory Services (AS) component to support NBI's expansion into the underserved SMEs segment in the country  the main drivers of job creation. IFCs AS/IS comprehensive proposal aims to help increase the financial inclusion of the SME segment, provide capacity building, improve the product offering and strengthen NBIs lending operations. Project outcome: The Project will increase access to finance to SMEs, help improve the quality of financial services and products provided to SMEs and contribute to job creation.

Market impact: The Project will contribute to increased competitiveness in the Iraqi banking sector, by demonstrating the commercial viability of lending to SMEs
Nafith Logistics Services PSC Nafith Logistics Services (Nafith, or the Company), is a Jordanian private joint stock company providing freight transportation logistics services to Aqaba, Jordans sole seaport. Nafith implements and operates a Truck Control System (TCS) that controls the entry and flow of trucks to and from the port. It maintains countrywide freight transportation information that tracks and manages the data and documentation required for international trade and transportation.   In August 2011 Nafith was also competitively awarded a contract to build and operate a TCS in Iraqs Basra governorate for the Ministry of Transport to control all trucks entering Umm Qasr Port, 2 smaller ports (Khor Zubair & Abu Floos), the Safwan border crossing with Kuwait and the movement of imported grains from ship to state-owned silos and warehouses. As part of the agreement Nafith is required to construct a major marshalling yard near Umm Qasr and two smaller yards; implement a customized TCS; and monitor trucks through a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system to be designed by Nafith. Total investment cost is estimated at around US$8.0 million.   Nafith has invited IFC to invest up to US$3.5 million in quasi-equity/equity to support the Company in three main areas, (i) development and commissioning of Iraq project; (ii) widening the scope of service offerings to diversify revenue sources beyond TCS; and, (iii) entering new markets across the MENA region, such as Morocco and Saudi Arabia. (i) create employment opportunities; (ii) decrease congestion at gates and berths thus increasing port throughput; (iii) enhance port efficiencies by streamlining operations and hence reducing freight cost; (iv) contribute to government revenues through collection of revenue share on an annual basis; (v) demonstration effect to engender competition.
Ethiopia Electricity Access Rural Expansion Project, Phase II - GPOBA The main objective of the GPOBA project is to increase access to electricity in rural towns and villages with grid-access, by assisting EEPCo in its connection fee  financing program, extending loan tenors of five years to poor household customers. In addition, the GPOBA grant will finance two energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) for poor households (hhs). Those CFLs will be delivered as part of the connection package to both ensure an affordable bill for hhs and promote energy efficiency. The increased access to electricity will improve the quality of life, enhance educational services, and provide income-generating opportunities.
GPOBA - Nepal Biodigesters The objective of this grant is to expand financial support to the Nepal Biogas Program to increase access to modern energy sources in the rural and peri-urban areas of Nepal through the use of an Output-Based Aid (OBA) approach.