ROMANIA

Kurdistan

French company Alcatel-Lucent will build a $27 million (32 billion IQD) land-line communications network in the provinces of Diayla and Anbar, according to AKnews.

Reuters reports that Iraq has signed a $235-million electricity deal with a subsidiary of Turkey’s Enka Insaat to install a 500-megawatt power plant in the Al-Najibiya district of Basra.

Iraq’s Oil Ministry announced on Wednesday that it has discovered a new oil field in the Missan [Maysan] province, and described it as the biggest achivement in 30 years.

ShaMaran has signed a final binding agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government (“KRG”) to relinquish to the KRG the 60% working interests currently held in each of the Arbat and Pulkhana Production Sharing Contracts (“PSC”).  Under the terms of the agreement the PSC for each of the Pulkhana and Arbat blocks is terminated whereby ShaMaran’s interests in both PSC’s are relinquished. The Company has agreed to a payment to the KRG of consideration valued at $US25 million after which the Company will be relieved of all further obligations under the PSC’s. This asset realignment will relieve the Company from the remaining work program obligations of Pulkhana and Arbat block, and allow ShaMaran to focus its activities and resources on the Atrush and Taza Blocks which the Company considers to be their most prospective blocks. The Company, as part of General Exploration Partners Inc (“GEP”) and its partner Marathon Petroleum KDV B.V., are  currently carrying out an appraisal program in the Atrush block in which a major discovery was announced in April 2011. This program consists of a 3D seismic survey which is underway and expected to be completed in the first quarter. The partnership is also planning to drill an appraisal well in the second quarter of 2012 followed by the installation of an early production system. ShaMaran, through its wholly owned subsidiary ShaMaran Ventures BV, has a 33.5% stake in GEP which is a party to the Atrush Block Production Sharing Contract and currently holds an 80% interest. Marathon Petroleum KDV B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO), holds a 20% interest in the block.    The Company in coordination with Oil Search Iraq Limited (“OSIL”) is also planning to drill its first well in the Taza Block (formerly Block K42) in the second quarter of 2012.  ShaMaran holds a 20% working interest in the PSC. OSIL is the operator with a 60% working interest in the PSC.  The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (“KRG”) holds a 20% working interest in the PSC with costs carried by ShaMaran and OSIL.   ShaMaran President and CEO Pradeep Kabra commented, “This agreement allows ShaMaran to move forward in Kurdistan on its highly prospective remaining projects by removing the high financial obligations of the Pulkhana and Arbat blocks which were not as prospective as anticipated. We still consider Kurdistan to be one of the most attractive regions in the world to explore and develop oil projects and will continue to look for growth opportunities in the country.” About ShaMaran ShaMaran Petroleum Corp. is a Kurdistan focused oil development and exploration vehicle with two ongoing projects in the region: the Atrush oil discovery, and the Taza exploration blocks. These projects are nearby and on trend to existing fields and recent discoveries. Kurdistan lies within the northern extension of the Zagros Folded Belt. The area is highly underexplored and is currently undergoing a significant exploration and development campaign by over 30 mid to large size international oil companies. ShaMaran Petroleum is a Canadian oil and gas company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “SNM” as well as NASDAQ OMX First North under the symbol “SNM”. On behalf of the Board,  Pradeep Kabra, President and CEO Certain statements made and information contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation), including statements about expected or anticipated future events and financial results that are forward-looking in nature.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimates of reserves and or resources, future production levels, future capital expenditures and their allocation to exploration and development activities, future drilling and other exploration and development activities, ultimate recovery of reserves or resources and dates by which certain areas will be explored, developed or reach expected operating capacity.   Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as legal and political risk, civil unrest, general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events and management’s capacity to execute and implement its future plans. Actual results may differ materially from those projected by management. Further, any forward-looking statements are made only as of a certain date and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management of the Company to predict all of these factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. ShaMaran Petroleum’s Certified Advisor on NASDAQ OMX First North is Pareto Öhman AB.

Sophia Shane  January 18, 2012

The Summit

Under the patronage of H.E, Mr. Hadi Al-Amiri, the Iraqi Minister of Transportation, we are proud to announce that the ‘Iraq Transportation Infrastructure Summit’ will now take place in the Al Rasheed hotel Baghdad on the 26th and 27th February 2012. The event being held in Iraq will give opportunity for a much wider participation by the Iraqi experts and senior officials from different sectors in Iraq.

The Iraqi government realizes the role the international community can play in providing the latest technologies and expertise required by Iraq in order to modernize its transport infrastructure. This Ministry will participate at the highest level and senior officials will take private meetings to discuss in-depth the tenders offered and ongoing opportunities and future projects that Iraq intends to implement.

After decades of sanctions, military action and a population growth, Iraq’s Transport infrastructure is in more need than ever for both the renovation of existing and the building of new projects, particularly in the disadvantaged areas – under the old regime – of Southern, Northern and Iraq’s Kurdistan.

Opportunities for Investment in Iraq’s Transportation Sector

Iraq’s untapped natural wealth, decades of under-investment, and a neglected infrastructure create numerous investment opportunities within the transportation industry. Areas of potential investment include:

Highways:

As with most countries, roads and bridges are a primary lifeline for economic growth. Iraq has more than 44,000 km of paved highways, as well as an extensive rural unpaved road system. The highway and bridge system provides the primary surface transportation links connecting Iraq to its neighbours and serves as a catalyst for economic growth. An integrated road network supports tourism and connects the country’s population centres to essential services, while promoting internal commerce.

Many of the roads and bridges on the national highway system were paved and constructed in the late 1970s and early 1980s and were designed with a 20 year lifespan. Much of this infrastructure is in need of extensive rehabilitation and replacement. In addition, new population centres have emerged, creating the need for expansion of the highway system on a national level. With funding necessary to rehabilitate or replace paved roads estimated at $1M USD per kilometre, current investment requirements in Iraq’s road infrastructure for rehabilitation exceed $40B USD.

Civil Aviation:

Iraq’s civil aviation sector is moving toward compliance with International Civil Aviation Standards as  Iraqi Aviation industry continues to rehabilitate its aging fleet. The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) seeks to transform Iraq’s civil aviation system into a results-based, value-driven organization of aviation professionals dedicated to excellence on the ground and in the skies. The critical success factor for this excellence will be an environment that promotes compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS). The global economy is increasingly integrated. A robust civil aviation system would provide Iraq with increased access to world markets and links between businesses throughout the world.

Recently, flights have been resumed for the first times, since 1990, to new routes including London, Athens and Vienna in addition to the existing routes. Iraq is also allowing private operators to compete in the air transport market and is working on attracting more investment to modernise both; fleet and infrastructure such us the recent inauguration of the new Mosul International Airport in the north.

Aviation enables the movement of people and goods and functions as a cornerstone of economic growth. Whether it is employing people, moving goods, or moving people, aviation is critical to economic growth. According to the International Air Transport Association, “investment in air transport capacity in developing or transition countries, where connectivity is currently relatively low, will have a much larger impact on their productivity and economic success than a similar level of investment in a relatively developed country.” As a developing country, Iraq’s potential is bright in the aviation industry. Investment in Iraq’s aviation system offers many opportunities, including airport operations and management, as well as airport concessions.

Ports:

Maritime ports serve Iraq as the primary gateway for the import and export of goods and also provide an entry point for passengers. The ports of Iraq are owned and operated by the Government of Iraq. The MoT and the General Company for Ports (GCPI) of Iraq envision the ports of Iraq as the connection bridging the Far East and the West while serving as an economic catalyst and providing for the welfare of the people of Iraq. The ports of Iraq strive to operate efficiently and effectively, using sound business practices and meeting standards defined by the International Maritime Organization. Iraq’s ports are strategic national assets that contribute to national security, economic development and political stability. GCPI owns and controls the Iraqi ports of Umm Qasr, Khor Al Zubair, Abu Fulus and Al-Maqal.

The ports are spacious and adaptable to further expansion. GCPI has systems and procedures in place, though improvements in operational efficiency and infrastructure investment are needed. The Iraqi work force is able to handle current operational demands, but would benefit from additional training on modern port operating practices and procedures. Existing port infrastructure can be improved upon and modernized to handle the current and future work load. Estimated infrastructure investment needs range from $250MUSD to $500M USD.

Railways:

The Iraqi Republic Railroad (IRR) is one of the main modes of surface transportation for the import and export of goods and efficient hauling of bulk commodities and passengers within the country. The IRR is owned and operated by the government. Iraq is focused on the safe transport of containers, bulk  commodities and passengers in a cost efficient and safe environment while maintaining safety and operating standards defined by the International Union of Railways. The MoT and the IRR hope the railroad will serve as a primary surface transportation option, connecting customers in Europe, the Far East and the Gulf States while also serving as an economic growth catalyst.

The IRR consists of 2,405 kilometres of track, 109 stations, 31 locomotives and 1,685 units of rolling stock. Recent investments ($40M USD) in a state-of-the-art computer based train control and microwave communication system are the beginning of a broad modernization program for the rail system. Iraq continues intermittent negotiations concerning the establishment of rail links with Turkey, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to complete a continuous Euro-Gulf rail route. Investment in supporting facilities such as inter-modal container terminals and privatisation of operations under a unified management contract continue to be areas of interest for Iraq’s rail system.

Iraq announced $60bn-worth of plans to rehabilitate its rail infrastructure. The projects involve the construction and rehabilitation of six major rail lines that will form Iraq’s national railway network when they are completed as planned in 2014.

The Official Delegation

The Iraqi government delegation will comprise senior officials led by the key deputies, director generals and ministerial advisors all attending with the prime purpose of sitting down face-to-face with top executives from the world’s best of breed companies and organisations.

• State Company for Railways
• State Company for Transport Projects
• State Company for Airlines
• State Company for Civil Aviation
• State Company for Private Transport Management
• State Company for Iraqi Ports
• State Company for Maritime Transportation
• State Company for Road Transportation
• State Company for Private Transport Management
• State Company for Passengers and Delegations Transportation
• State Commission for Meteorology and Earthquakes Monitoring
• Government Advisor for Transportation
• Parliament Transportation Committee
• Office of the Transportation Inspector General
• Iraq Investment Authority
• Baghdad Municipality
• General Directorate for Transportation Infrastructure Protection

International Support

The Iraq Transportation Infrastructure Summit work closely with the international community to ensure that they have strong representation and will form part of the private roundtable meeting sessions. Lead officials will be representing from:

• The International Air Transport Association IATA
• The World Bank
• The Asian Development Bank
• US Department of Commerce
• US Embassy Baghdad

Event Format

Entico Events has now organised several successful high-level summits each with a similar unique format that ensures participating companies have the opportunity to enter into bilateral and contractual discussions with the ministries and their contracting officials.

The Summit will be held over two days, the mornings of the 26th & 27th will see each sector representative give an overview of their strategy and requirements whilst their deputies and director generals will provide specific technical information and contract opportunities

The afternoons will see private discussion tables set up for each director general, their contracting officials and the state owned enterprises. Confirmed sponsors and delegates will be given a choice of preferred prescheduled meetings with a choice of branding opportunities and tabletop presentations available.

Registration and participation as a sponsor is only available through the Entico Corporation.

Who should attend?

Attendance is important for leading companies that that are not only looking to forge stronger relations in Iraq but can also help with the following urgent requirements:

• Build and modernize metro, rail, road, port and airport logistics and infrastructure
• Install intelligent systems and solutions to improve urban and national transportation
• Install and improve communications & security solutions for new and existing transport infrastructure
• Personnel training and development for safe, secure management of transportation networks
• Critical infrastructure protection for railways, ports and airports

The following link from a previous event might help build a picture for you from photo GALERY :

For more details please contact me on email: adrian@mihailovici.ro

We look forward to welcoming you in Baghdad.

Tuesday, February 14 to Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Hilton Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai

The Middle East energy market has enormous potential for insurers housing over half of the world’s oil reserves and a third of natural gas reserves. With recent political unrest in the region driving up oil prices the growth in energy projects is set to continue unabated with the Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation predicting $530 billion in investment in the next 5 years. This in turn is set to drive demand for insurance for energy projects. The recent events of the Arab Spring have also served to heighten awareness of energy risks in the region and the need for companies to have sufficient insurance cover in place such as business interruption for projects. Keeping abreast of the rapidly changing energy landscape is vital for both risk managers and their insurers. Following the success of our inaugural event in February, C5’s energy insurance forum returns to bring you a comprehensive analysis of the risks and opportunities for insurers in this diverse region. Gain expert advice and guidance on some of the hottest issues in energy insurance: What offshore construction projects are occurring in the MENA region and what are the technical challenges arising from them? How the energy market is being affected by geopolitical issues The outlook for nuclear power in the Middle East following Fukoshima – Developments in nuclear energy in the region Assessing the adequacy of asset values that have been proposed for insurers – how have the values been arrived at and what is the substitute for a replacement cost?

Summit-ul

Sub patronajul, dl Hadi Al-Amiri, ministrul irakian al Transporturilor, suntem mândri să vă anunţăm că va avea loc în hotelul Al Rasheed din Bagdad ” Summit-ul infrastructurii de transport din Irak “. Evenimentul se desfăşoară în Irak in perioada pe 26 şi 27 februarie 2012 si va oferi posibilitatea participarea mai multor experţii irakieni şi înalţi funcţionari din diferite sectoare de activitate din Irak.

Guvernul irakian realizează rolul pe care comunitatea internaţională îl poate juca în furnizarea de cele mai recente tehnologii şi expertiza necesare in Irak, în scopul de a moderniza infrastructura de transport. Ministerul va participa la cel mai înalt nivel iar funcţionari de cel mai inalt nivel vor avea intalniri private pentru a discuta în detaliu  ofertele şi oportunităţile în curs, inclusiv proiectele de viitor pe care Irakul intenţionează să pună în aplicare.

După decenii de sancţiuni, acţiune militară şi de o creştere a populaţiei, infrastructura de transport a Irakului are nevoie mai mult ca oricând, atât pentru renovarea retelei existente şi construirea de noi proiecte, în special în zonele defavorizate,  de Sud, de Nord şi Kurdistan din Irak.

Oportunităţi de investiţii în sectorul de transport Irakului

Irak-ul o avere naturala neexploatata, şi o infrastructură neglijata creaza numeroase oportunităţi de investiţii în industria de transport. Domeniile de investiţii potenţiale includ:

Autostrăzi:

Ca şi în cele mai multe ţări, drumurile şi podurile sunt o linie importanta pentru creşterea economică. Irakul are mai mult de 44.000 de km de autostrăzi pavate, precum şi de un sistem extins de drumuri rurale neasfaltate. Sistemul de autostrăzi şi poduri oferă oportunitati de transport de suprafaţă de conectare Irak la vecinii săi şi serveşte ca un catalizator pentru creşterea economică. O reţea de drumuri integrata sprijină turismul şi conectează populaţia ţării din orase la serviciile esenţiale, promovând în acelaşi timp comerţul intern.

Multe din drumurile şi podurile privind sistemul naţional de autostrazi au fost pavate şi construite la sfârşitul anilor 1970 pana la începutul anilor 1980 şi au fost proiectate cu o durata de viata 20 ani. O mare parte din această infrastructură are nevoie de reabilitare extensivă şi de înlocuire. În plus, au apărut noi orase, creând nevoia de extindere a sistemului de autostrăzi la nivel naţional. Bugetul alocat pentru a se reabilita sau înlocui drumurile pavate este estimata la $ 1 milion USD per kilometru, cerinţele actuale de investiţii în infrastructura rutieră din Irak pentru reabilitare depăşeşte $ 40B USD.

Aviaţia civilă:

Sectorului aviaţiei civile din Irak se îndreaptă spre conformitate cu Standardele Aviaţiei Civile Internaţionale iar industria aviaţiei irakieni continuă reabilitarea flotei sale îmbătrânite. Autoritatea Aviaţiei Civile Irakiana (ICAA) urmăreşte să transforme sistemul în domeniul aviaţiei civile, într-un sistem bazat pe rezultate, bazate pe valori de organizare a aviaţiei profesionisti dedicata excelentei pe teren şi în cer. Factorul critic de succes pentru aceasta, va fi un mediu care promovează respectarea cu Organizaţia Aviaţiei Civile Internaţionale (OACI), standardele şi practicile recomandate (SARP). Economia globală este în ce mai integrată. Un sistem robust aviaţiei civile ar oferi Irakului,  acces sporit la pieţele mondiale şi legături între întreprinderile din întreaga lume.

Recent, rutele de avion au fost reluate de la inceput, din 1990, inclusiv noi rute, ca de exemplu Londra, Atena şi Viena, în plus faţă de rutele existente. Irakul este si permite, de asemenea, operatorilor privaţi să concureze pe piaţa transportului aerian şi se lucrează la atragerea de investiţii pentru modernizarea atât mai mult, a flotei şi de infrastructură, cum ar fii inaugurarea recentă a noului Aeroportul Internaţional din nord, din Mosul.

Aviaţia permite circulaţia persoanelor şi a bunurilor şi funcţionează ca o piatra de temelie a creşterii economice. Fie că este vorba angajarea persoanelor, mărfurilor în mişcare, sau se deplasează oamenii,  aviaţia este esenţială pentru creşterea economică. Potrivit International Air Transport Association, “investiţiile în capacitate de transport aerian în ţările în curs de dezvoltare sau în tranziţie, în cazul în care conexiunea este în prezent relativ scăzuta, va avea un impact mult mai mare asupra productivităţii lor şi in succesul economic decât la un nivel similar de investiţii într-o ţară relativ dezvoltate “Ca o ţară în curs de dezvoltare, potenţialul Irakului este extraordinar în industria aviaţiei. Investiţii în sistemul de aviaţie din Irak oferă numeroase oportunităţi, inclusiv operaţiunile de aeroport şi de gestionare, precum şi concesionarea aeroportului.

Porturi:

Porturile maritime din Irak, sunt principala poartă de intrare pentru importul şi exportul de mărfuri şi, de asemenea, oferă un punct de intrare pentru pasageri. Porturile din Irak sunt deţinute şi operate de guvernul. MT şi Compania Generala pentru Porturi (GCPI) din Irak se aştepta ca porturile din Irak să facă legătura punte dintre Extremul Orient şi Occident în timp ce servesc ca un catalizator economic şi modul de bunăstarea poporului din Irak. Porturile din Irak se străduiesc să funcţioneze eficient şi eficace, utilizând bunele practici de afaceri şi respectarea standardelor definite de către Organizaţia Maritimă Internaţională. Porturile din Irak sunt active strategice naţionale care contribuie la securitatea naţională, dezvoltarea economică şi stabilitatea politică. GCPI detine si controleaza porturile irakian Umm Qasr a, Al Khor Zubair, Abu Fulus şi Al-Maqal.

Porturile sunt spaţioase şi adaptabile la extinderea în continuare. GCPI a sistemelor şi procedurilor în vigoare, deşi îmbunătăţirea eficienţei operaţionale şi investiţiile în infrastructuri sunt necesare. Forţa de muncă irakiana este capabil să se ocupe de cerinţele operaţionale actuale, dar vor beneficia de instruire suplimentară cu privire la practicile moderne de exploatare portuară şi a procedurilor. Infrastructurile portuare existente pot fi îmbunătăţite şi modernizate ca să se ocupe de sarcina de lucru actuale şi viitoare. Bugetul alocat în infrastructură  variază de la $ 250MUSD la $ 500M USD.

Cai ferate:

Irakian Railroad Republica (RIR) este unul din principalele moduri de transport de suprafaţă pentru importul şi exportul de bunuri şi eficiente ridicării mărfuri în vrac şi a transportului pasagerilor în interiorul ţării. RIR este deţinut şi operat de către guvern. Irakul este axat pe transportul în siguranţă al containerelor, de mărfuri  în vrac şi de pasageri într-un cost mediu cu o schimbare eficientă şi sigură. In acelaşi timp menţinerea standardelor de siguranţă şi de funcţionare sunt definite de către Uniunea Internaţională a Căilor Ferate. MT şi RIR cu speranţa ca calea ferată va servi ca o opţiune primara de transport de suprafaţă, o schimbare cu clienţii din Europa, Orientul Îndepărtat şi în timp ce statele din Golf, de asemenea, funcţionează ca un catalizator de creştere economică.

RIR compune din 2.405 km de cale ferată, 109 staţii, 31 locomotive şi 1685 de unităţi de material rulant. Investiţiile recente ($ 40M USD) într-un centru de control al trenurilor pe bază de calculator şi sistemul de comunicare sunt începutul unui program de modernizare larg pentru sistemul feroviar. Irakul continuă negocierile în in ceea ce priveşte stabilirea de legături feroviare cu Turcia, Kuweit şi Arabia Saudită pentru a finaliza o ruta continuă de cale ferata euro-Golf . Investiţiile în sprijinirea facilităţi, cum ar fi terminale de containere inter-modulare şi privatizarea operaţiunilor în cadrul unui contract de management unificat în continuare să fie zone de interes pentru sistemul feroviar din Irak.

Irakul a anuntat un buget de 60 de miliarde de $, pentru a reabilita infrastructura feroviară. Proiectele implică construirea şi reabilitarea a sase linii de cale ferată majore, care vor forma reteaua feroviara naţionala Irakiana atunci când acestea sunt finalizate în 2014, conform planificării.

Delegaţia oficială

Delegaţia guvernului irakian va cuprinde înalţi funcţionari, directori generali, ministri şi consilieri ai ministerelor unde toti participa cu scopul principal de a intalni si discuta faţă-în-faţă cu directorii de top din cele mai bune companii si organizatii din lume ca de exemplu.

Compania de Stat pentru Căilor Ferate
Compania de Stat pentru proiectele de transport
Compania de Stat pentru Linii aeriene
Compania de Stat a Aviaţiei Civile
Compania de Stat pentru Managementul transportului privat
Compania de Stat pentru Porturi irakieni
Compania de Stat pentru transport maritim
Compania de Stat pentru Transport rutier
Compania de Stat pentru Managementul transportului privat
Compania de Stat pentru Transport de Pasageri şi delegaţiilor
Comisia de Stat pentru Meteorologie şi cutremure de monitorizare
Consultantul de Guvern pentru Transport
Parlamentul European Transport Comitetul
Biroul de Inspector General de Transport
Autoritatea de Investiţii Irak
Primaria Bagdad
Direcţia Generală pentru Protecţia infrastructurii de transport

Suport International

Summit-ul infrastructurii de transport din Irak colaboreaza strâns cu comunitatea internaţională pentru a se asigura că au o reprezentare puternică şi vor face parte din sesiuni private din cadrul mesei rotunde. Vom gasi oficialii care reprezinta:

International Air Transport Association IATA
Banca Mondială
Banca Asiatică de Dezvoltare
Departamentul american de Comert
Ambasada SUA la Bagdad

Formatul evenimentului

Evenimentele organizate de Entico au succes la nivel înalt, fiecare summit are un format unic similar care să asigure companiile participante au posibilitatea de a intra în discuţii bilaterale şi contractuale cu ministerele şi reprezentatii oficialii.

Summit-ul va avea loc pe parcursul a două zile, dimineaţa de 26 şi 27 februarie unde se vor vedea cu fiecare reprezentant de sector care oferă o imagine de ansamblu a strategiei lor şi a cerinţelor, în timp ce adjuncţii lor şi generalilor director vor furniza informaţii tehnice specifice şi a posibilităţilor de contract.

Dupa-amiaza vor fi intalniri private de discuţie stabilite pentru fiecare director general si funcţionarii acestor întreprinderile de stat contractante. Sponsorii confirmati şi delegaţii vor avea posibilitatea de a alege ce întâlniri prefera intr-un program cu o varietate de oportunitati de branding şi prezentări disponibile.

Participarea în calitate de sponsor este disponibila numai prin intermediul Corporaţiei Entico.

Cine ar trebui să participe?

Participarea este importanta pentru toate companiile de top, care care nu sunt doar în căutarea de a construi relaţii puternice în Irak, dar poate ajuta, de asemenea, cu următoarele cerinţe urgente:

Construire şi modernizare: metrou, feroviar, rutier, portuare şi aeroportuare logistică şi infrastructură
Instalare sisteme inteligente şi soluţii pentru a îmbunătăţi transportul urban şi naţionale
Instalarea şi îmbunătăţi comunicaţiile şi soluţii de securitate pentru infrastructura de transport noi şi cele existente
Personalul de formare şi dezvoltare pentru un management sigur, securizat reţelelor de transport
Protecţia infrastructurilor critice pentru căile ferate, porturi şi aeroporturi

Puteti viziona cateva fotografii acesand  galeria foto

The Summit

Under the patronage of H.E, Mr. Hadi Al-Amiri, the Iraqi Minister of Transportation, we are proud to announce that the ‘Iraq Transportation Infrastructure Summit’ will now take place in the Al Rasheed hotel Baghdad on the 26th and 27th February 2012. The event being held in Iraq will give opportunity for a much wider participation by the Iraqi experts and senior officials from different sectors in Iraq.

The Iraqi government realizes the role the international community can play in providing the latest technologies and expertise required by Iraq in order to modernize its transport infrastructure. This Ministry will participate at the highest level and senior officials will take private meetings to discuss in-depth the tenders offered and ongoing opportunities and future projects that Iraq intends to implement.

After decades of sanctions, military action and a population growth, Iraq’s Transport infrastructure is in more need than ever for both the renovation of existing and the building of new projects, particularly in the disadvantaged areas – under the old regime – of Southern, Northern and Iraq’s Kurdistan.

Opportunities for Investment in Iraq’s Transportation Sector

Iraq’s untapped natural wealth, decades of under-investment, and a neglected infrastructure create numerous investment opportunities within the transportation industry. Areas of potential investment include:

Highways:

As with most countries, roads and bridges are a primary lifeline for economic growth. Iraq has more than 44,000 km of paved highways, as well as an extensive rural unpaved road system. The highway and bridge system provides the primary surface transportation links connecting Iraq to its neighbours and serves as a catalyst for economic growth. An integrated road network supports tourism and connects the country’s population centres to essential services, while promoting internal commerce.

Many of the roads and bridges on the national highway system were paved and constructed in the late 1970s and early 1980s and were designed with a 20 year lifespan. Much of this infrastructure is in need of extensive rehabilitation and replacement. In addition, new population centres have emerged, creating the need for expansion of the highway system on a national level. With funding necessary to rehabilitate or replace paved roads estimated at $1M USD per kilometre, current investment requirements in Iraq’s road infrastructure for rehabilitation exceed $40B USD.

Civil Aviation:

Iraq’s civil aviation sector is moving toward compliance with International Civil Aviation Standards as  Iraqi Aviation industry continues to rehabilitate its aging fleet. The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) seeks to transform Iraq’s civil aviation system into a results-based, value-driven organization of aviation professionals dedicated to excellence on the ground and in the skies. The critical success factor for this excellence will be an environment that promotes compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS). The global economy is increasingly integrated. A robust civil aviation system would provide Iraq with increased access to world markets and links between businesses throughout the world.

Recently, flights have been resumed for the first times, since 1990, to new routes including London, Athens and Vienna in addition to the existing routes. Iraq is also allowing private operators to compete in the air transport market and is working on attracting more investment to modernise both; fleet and infrastructure such us the recent inauguration of the new Mosul International Airport in the north.

Aviation enables the movement of people and goods and functions as a cornerstone of economic growth. Whether it is employing people, moving goods, or moving people, aviation is critical to economic growth. According to the International Air Transport Association, “investment in air transport capacity in developing or transition countries, where connectivity is currently relatively low, will have a much larger impact on their productivity and economic success than a similar level of investment in a relatively developed country.” As a developing country, Iraq’s potential is bright in the aviation industry. Investment in Iraq’s aviation system offers many opportunities, including airport operations and management, as well as airport concessions.

Ports:

Maritime ports serve Iraq as the primary gateway for the import and export of goods and also provide an entry point for passengers. The ports of Iraq are owned and operated by the Government of Iraq. The MoT and the General Company for Ports (GCPI) of Iraq envision the ports of Iraq as the connection bridging the Far East and the West while serving as an economic catalyst and providing for the welfare of the people of Iraq. The ports of Iraq strive to operate efficiently and effectively, using sound business practices and meeting standards defined by the International Maritime Organization. Iraq’s ports are strategic national assets that contribute to national security, economic development and political stability. GCPI owns and controls the Iraqi ports of Umm Qasr, Khor Al Zubair, Abu Fulus and Al-Maqal.

The ports are spacious and adaptable to further expansion. GCPI has systems and procedures in place, though improvements in operational efficiency and infrastructure investment are needed. The Iraqi work force is able to handle current operational demands, but would benefit from additional training on modern port operating practices and procedures. Existing port infrastructure can be improved upon and modernized to handle the current and future work load. Estimated infrastructure investment needs range from $250MUSD to $500M USD.

Railways:

The Iraqi Republic Railroad (IRR) is one of the main modes of surface transportation for the import and export of goods and efficient hauling of bulk commodities and passengers within the country. The IRR is owned and operated by the government. Iraq is focused on the safe transport of containers, bulk  commodities and passengers in a cost efficient and safe environment while maintaining safety and operating standards defined by the International Union of Railways. The MoT and the IRR hope the railroad will serve as a primary surface transportation option, connecting customers in Europe, the Far East and the Gulf States while also serving as an economic growth catalyst.

The IRR consists of 2,405 kilometres of track, 109 stations, 31 locomotives and 1,685 units of rolling stock. Recent investments ($40M USD) in a state-of-the-art computer based train control and microwave communication system are the beginning of a broad modernization program for the rail system. Iraq continues intermittent negotiations concerning the establishment of rail links with Turkey, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to complete a continuous Euro-Gulf rail route. Investment in supporting facilities such as inter-modal container terminals and privatisation of operations under a unified management contract continue to be areas of interest for Iraq’s rail system.

Iraq announced $60bn-worth of plans to rehabilitate its rail infrastructure. The projects involve the construction and rehabilitation of six major rail lines that will form Iraq’s national railway network when they are completed as planned in 2014.

The Official Delegation

The Iraqi government delegation will comprise senior officials led by the key deputies, director generals and ministerial advisors all attending with the prime purpose of sitting down face-to-face with top executives from the world’s best of breed companies and organisations.

• State Company for Railways
• State Company for Transport Projects
• State Company for Airlines
• State Company for Civil Aviation
• State Company for Private Transport Management
• State Company for Iraqi Ports
• State Company for Maritime Transportation
• State Company for Road Transportation
• State Company for Private Transport Management
• State Company for Passengers and Delegations Transportation
• State Commission for Meteorology and Earthquakes Monitoring
• Government Advisor for Transportation
• Parliament Transportation Committee
• Office of the Transportation Inspector General
• Iraq Investment Authority
• Baghdad Municipality
• General Directorate for Transportation Infrastructure Protection

International Support

The Iraq Transportation Infrastructure Summit work closely with the international community to ensure that they have strong representation and will form part of the private roundtable meeting sessions. Lead officials will be representing from:

• The International Air Transport Association IATA
• The World Bank
• The Asian Development Bank
• US Department of Commerce
• US Embassy Baghdad

Event Format

Entico Events has now organised several successful high-level summits each with a similar unique format that ensures participating companies have the opportunity to enter into bilateral and contractual discussions with the ministries and their contracting officials.

The Summit will be held over two days, the mornings of the 26th & 27th will see each sector representative give an overview of their strategy and requirements whilst their deputies and director generals will provide specific technical information and contract opportunities

The afternoons will see private discussion tables set up for each director general, their contracting officials and the state owned enterprises. Confirmed sponsors and delegates will be given a choice of preferred prescheduled meetings with a choice of branding opportunities and tabletop presentations available.

Registration and participation as a sponsor is only available through the Entico Corporation.

Who should attend?

Attendance is important for leading companies that that are not only looking to forge stronger relations in Iraq but can also help with the following urgent requirements:

• Build and modernize metro, rail, road, port and airport logistics and infrastructure
• Install intelligent systems and solutions to improve urban and national transportation
• Install and improve communications & security solutions for new and existing transport infrastructure
• Personnel training and development for safe, secure management of transportation networks
• Critical infrastructure protection for railways, ports and airports

The following link from a previous event might help build a picture for you from photo GALERY :

We look forward to welcoming you in Baghdad.

Some small businesses and investment projects are exempt from taxes

Although Kurdistan Regional Government has its own tax system and tax authorities, and collects taxes from businesses, the tax rates for businesses are low and not all businesses pay their taxes according to the tax code.

Zaniar Mohammed Qadir, director of Erbil’s first Tax Office says tax rates in the KRG are much lower than those of other countries and lower than those of the central government. The tax collection process is regulated by the KRG Ministry of Finance and Economy.

“The ministry has created a list that calculates estimated taxable income for different business sectors and the corresponding annual tax liabilities for each type of business,” Qadir said in an interview with The Kurdish Globe. “We have tax experts who classify different business activities, estimate average annual income for each according to some specific measures, and then decide the amounts to be taxed for each business.”

According to Qadir, experts review the calculations and estimations each year, according to market situations and economic factors.

According to the estimates used by the tax authorities, a restaurant such as Abu Shahab City in Erbil has an average annual income of 60 million Iraqi dinars (approximately $50,000), and the amount of tax it needs to pay each year is 7 million ID ($5,800). This is at a time when the actual income of the restaurant could be 10 times higher than the estimates, or more.

The highest corporate tax rate in Kurdistan is 15 percent of the net annual revenues. This is according to the Iraqi Tax Code of 1982, which is still in force in Kurdistan with some amendments made by the Kurdistan Parliament in 2007.

In many countries, investment companies pay higher tax rates compared to other businesses, but in Kurdistan, according to the Investment Law, investment projects are exempted from paying taxes for 20 years. This is an attempt to encourage foreign and domestic investment in the Region to help the economic development process.

Some people ask how much tax is collected from the giant companies in the Region, which have large shares in the market. Some experts believe that tax officials have engaged in corruption with those companies.

“The actual tax rates that should be paid by the companies is not fixed by the Ministry of Finance, but it states that the companies should submit their annual financial reports to the tax office, which evaluates the income, profits and losses of the company and estimates their tax liability accordingly,” Qadir explained to the Globe. “Almost 95 percent of the financial reports submitted by the companies are rejected by the tax department due to inaccuracy in the numbers presented in the reports and under-estimation of actual income of the business.”

According to a set of regulations from the Ministerial Council and Parliament, some small businesses are exempted from paying taxes. This includes private generators who provide backup power supply to the public, farmers, bus drivers and some others.

Dr. Sabah Khoshnaw, a financial expert, said the reason behind the low tax rates in the Region and the government’s non-reliance on tax revenues is because unlike other economies, Kurdistan Region’s economy is a consumer economy and tax rates are only symbolic.

Another reason behind low tax rates is because a major share of the country’s revenues come from oil and the government does not depend on tax revenues for its budget.

“Tax rates are suitable for the rich and not too bad for the poor,” said Qadir.

Sourse: http://www.kurdishglobe.net , Saturday, 13 August 2011, 08:24 GMT