ROMANIA

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.

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