Arab British Chamber of Commerce Newsletter 22

Arab-British Business Volume 40 Issue 2 September 2016 Monthly bulletin of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce

OPPORTUNITIES IN TUNISIA

A forthcoming event at the ABCC will look at emerging opportunities in Tunisia.

See page 13

Main square, Tunis

HELPING TRADE FLOW

Europe Arab Bank is uniquely positioned to help your business take advantage of Europe and North America trade flow and investment opportunities in MENA. As part of the Arab Bank Group, with the largest banking network in the Arab region, you gain seamless access to 16 MENA countries and a network of 600 branches around the world.

Learn more: www.eabplc.com +44 (0)20 7315 8500 Š Europe Arab Bank plc 2015 All Rights Reserved. Registered in England and Wales number 5575857. Registered Office: 13-15 Moorgate, London EC2R 6AD. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Not all products and services are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

CHAMBER NEWS

NEW MEMBERS Alams Consultants Limited

Monthly bulletin of the A-BCC Editorial Team Abdeslam El-Idrissi Cliff Lawrence David Morgan Dr Yasmin Husein Arab-British Chamber of Commerce 43 Upper Grosvenor Street London W1K 2NJ Tel: +44 (0) 20 7235 4363 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7245 6688 d.morgan@abcc.org.uk (English Editorial) y.husein@abcc.org.uk (Arabic Editorial)

Masonic Building Water Street Isle of Man IM8 1RD Contact: Mr Warren Johnstone, Managing Director Tel: +44(0)1624-627 820 Email: warren@alamsconsultants.com www.alamsconsultants.com Boutique risk management services

AlNaji Limited

Aldhamin Scientific Bureau

Aqaba Chamber of Commerce (AQCC)

Building 49 District 207 909 Alhuriah Square 2188 Jaderia Baghdad Iraq Contact: Mr Haider Salim, CEO Tel: +964 77177 52556 Email: haidersaeed@iraq-pharma.com www.iraq-pharma.com Importer and distributor of pharmaceuticals products in Iraq

Al-Faraheidy SDB

Braiha Basrah Iraq Contact: Mr Zaher Aljawher, Office Manager Tel: +964 (0)770 9016 100 Email: zaheraljawher@yahoo.com Distributor of pharmaceuticals

Office Number 9 47-49 Park Royal Road London NW10 7LQ Contact: Mr Mohammed Hasan, Director Tel: +44(0)787-999 9399 Email: mohammed@alnajigroup.com www.alnajigroup.com Exporter of food produce

PO Box 12 Aqaba 77110 Kingdom of Jordan Contact: Mr Amer Al Masri, General Manager Tel: +962 3 201 2229 Email: info@aqabacc.com www.aqabacc.com Business membership association

Arabian Lands Business Limited UK Head Office Level 7 Westgate House Westgate Road London W5 1YY Contact: Mrs Noora Albadri, CEO Tel: +973 3960 7616 Email: noora_albadri@hotmail.com Publishers and events organisers

www.abcc.org.uk

Production & Design Distinctive Publishing Unit 2b Floor B Milburn House Dean Street Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1LE Tel: 0845 884 2343 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk

Advertising Distinctive Publishing Tel: 0845 884 2343 john.neilson@distinctivegroup.co.uk

CONTENTS 2ND GCC-BRITISH ECONOMIC FORUM 4 SAUDI MINISTER 6 BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS 16 LEBANON FILM PRODUCTION 20 EGYPT FDI 21 LAW ROUNDUP 25

Disclaimer Distinctive Publishing or Arab-British Chamber of Commerce cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and Arab-British Chamber of Commerce.

ISSN No: ISSN 0958-8116

ARABIC SECTION 27 UK OPEN BANKING 36 TENDERS 38 BUSINESS EVENTS 41

continues page 10

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CHAMBER NEWS

His Royal Highness, The Duke of York

H E Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary General of the GCC

H E Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment

H E Mr Zayed Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism

Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade

CHAMBER HOSTS SECOND GCCBRITISH ECONOMIC FORUM The Second GCC-British Economic Forum took place on 21st July 2016 in the elegant setting of Lancaster House, London, with some 250 delegates from the Gulf countries, Britain and around the world in attendance. The high-level forum, organised by the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, was widely hailed as a success by participants.

The day-long event provided a unique platform for British and Gulf decision makers to discuss common challenges and topical issues such as the economic vision of the GCC countries and the UK’s decision to withdraw from the European Union. The international

conference was an opportunity to identify new areas of cooperation and to develop joint strategies for productive engagement.

Formally opening the Forum, Dr Afnan AlShuaiby, Secretary General & CEO, ABCC,

expressed gratitude to all the supporters, sponsors and partners who had contributed to making the event possible. The 2nd GCC-Britain Economic Forum built on the success of the 1st GCC-Britain Economic Forum which was held in December 2014.

Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby, ABCC Secretary General & CEO

Rt Hon Baroness Symons, ABCC Chairman

Rania Rizk, Senior Vice President, PepsiCo (AMENA Sector)

CHAMBER NEWS

The Baroness Morris of Bolton OBE (speaking) with (from left) H E Dr Abdullah El-Kuwaiz, James Sproule, H E Dr Yahya Al Alyahya and Rupert Gather

The Chamber’s main commercial partner, PepsiCo, was warmly thanked for its generosity and vital contribution.

His Royal Highness, The Duke of York and His Excellency Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, were the opening keynote speakers.

They were followed by H E Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, Minister of Commerce and Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and H E Mr Zayed Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Kingdom of Bahrain. The final keynote speaker was the Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, the newly appointed Secretary of State for International Trade.

Rt Hon Baroness Symons, Chairman, ABCC, said that the impressive number of Gulf delegates attending the Forum was very encouraging. For his part, HRH The Duke of York praised the strong relationship between the UK and the GCC which was based on respect and cooperation.

H E Dr Abdullah El-Kuwaiz, Chairman, Advisory Board, ACWA Power

From left: Prof Jan Toporowski, Philip Wood CBE, QC, the Rt Hon Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC (session chair), H E Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed and H E Abdulrahman Rashed Al Rashed

The programme’s theme, “Vision, Challenges and Ambitions: Integration Prospects for a Better Future”, consisted of five sessions to address urgent topics such as economic reform, social and economic development, entrepreneurship, the role of public-private partnerships and the implications of “Brexit”. The timeliness and relevance of the programme was widely remarked upon.

The Forum’s speakers were drawn from the UK and the Gulf to pool their knowledge and expertise. The sessions were moderated and chaired by senior members of the House of Lords, namely the Rt Hon Baroness Morris of Bolton OBE, the Rt Hon the Lord Howell of Guildford, the Rt Hon the Lord King of Bridgwater, Lord Clement-Jones CBE and Rt Hon the Lord West of Spithead, who had all previously served as government ministers.

The high-level speakers who participated in the five sessions came from business, law, banking, the universities and the media.

Ambassadors, senior business executives and many of the Chamber’s corporate members. The event attracted strong delegations from across the GCC. There was sufficient time allocated in the programme for networking and a real interest in the topics under discussion which was reflected in the lively exchange of ideas between the audience and speakers. In organising the Forum, the Chamber was fulfilling its strategic role in encouraging closer ties and cooperation between the UK and the Arab countries. The Chamber was widely praised for its successful organisation of the Forum.

The complete list of speakers can be found here: www.abcc.org.uk//details/75/%202nd%20 GCC-British%20Eco A full report of the Forum will appear in the forthcoming issue of the Chamber’s magazine, Economic Focus.

The Forum was attended by many Arab

From left: Nick Prior, Tony Smith, Lord Clement-Jones (session chair) and H E Khalid Rashid Al Zayani, OBE

H E Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority)

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CHAMBER NEWS

Rt Hon Baroness Symons speaking with HRH Prince HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi Ambassador (third left), H E Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment (second left), and Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby

BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE WITH H E DR MAJID BIN ABDULLAH AL-QASABI, MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INVESTMENT, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA On 22nd July, the Arab British Chamber of Commerce was privileged to host a business roundtable with H E Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, the Minister of Commerce and Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Minister was accompanied by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UK. The Minister and Ambassador were warmly welcomed to the Chamber by Dr Afnan AlShuaiby, Secretary General & CEO, ABCC. Rt Hon Baroness Symons, the ABCC Chairman, described it as an honour for the Chamber to be visited by the Minister so soon after

his appointment. She informed the audience that the Minister’s portfolio had now been extended to cover investment.

H E Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi delivered an extended presentation which explained how the Kingdom was moving towards a more diversified economy with a strategy that was motivated by recognition of the need to move away from oil dependency.

The Kingdom was seeking to attract smart

investment from leading global corporates.

The Minister described the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy as a “vision for change” which was seeking to highlight interest from investors in the country’s resources such as minerals and mining.

The Kingdom possessed substantial quantities of copper, gold, silver and other precious metals which had so far not been developed. The Red Sea region was another

CHAMBER NEWS

H E Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi

Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby

H E Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment, addressing the audience of UK business executives

HRH Prince HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi Ambassador

major natural resource that would be developed under the strategy by creating industrial zones and opening new seaports to attract industries to set up. The Minister stressed that all these programmes open up major opportunities for investors in various sectors. H E Dr Al-Qasabi urged potential UK investors to contact the commercial attachĂŠ at the Saudi Embassy in London to obtain assistance. The Minister responded

participating in the informative discussion.

to questions from delegates on an extensive range of issues.

In conclusion, HRH the Ambassador remarked that the Kingdom was looking to the future and wished to develop closer relations with its key partners in the UK and western world. Rt Hon Baroness Symons concluded the meeting by expressed thanks to the Ambassador and the Minister for

In the afternoon the senior management team at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) headed by its CEO Mr Xavier Rolet, received Dr Majid Bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, accompanied by the Ambassador, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby.

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CHAMBER NEWS

From left: Mr Omer Elamin Abdalla, Deputy Head of Mission, Republic of Sudan, Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby, HRH Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the UK, HE Dr Salih Husain Ali Al-Tamimi, Iraq Ambassador, Rt Hon Baroness Symons, HE Mr Yousef Ali Al-Khater, Qatar Ambassador and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum 1st Secretary & Deputy Head of Mission & Head of The Economic Department.

HH MOROCCAN AMBASSADOR FAREWELL RECEPTION On the evening of 25th May, the Chamber held a farewell reception in honour of Her Highness Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Kingdom, who is leaving London to take up a diplomatic posting in the United States.

The reception was hosted by Rt Hon Baroness Symons, ABCC Chairman, and Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby, ABCC Secretary General & CEO. It was held in recognition of the Ambassador’s outstanding contributions to diplomacy and her inspiring work in fostering Moroccan-British relations.

The event was attended by numerous ambassadors, diplomatic representatives from Arab Embassies, senior business executives and members of the media and public life.

H E Mr Khaled Al Duwaisan, the Ambassador to Kuwait and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, delivered greetings and joined Baroness

Symons and Dr Al-Shuaiby in paying tribute to the ambassador for her outstanding work.

During her time in London since 2009, H H Princess Lalla Joumala has succeeded in boosting relations between the two countries, especially in the economic and cultural fields. Dr Al-Shuaiby presented H H Princess Lalla Joumala with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Chamber and expressed gratitude for the ambassador’s steadfast support for the Chamber’s activities.

HRH Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui, the departing Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the UK

CHAMBER NEWS

BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE WITH AMBASSADOR OF IRAQ H E Dr Salih Husain Ali AlTamimi, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the UK, visited the Arab British Chamber of Commerce on 27 May 2016 to participate in a business roundtable on investment prospects in Iraq.

The event was attended by leading investors and senior business people all keen to explore the emerging opportunities for doing business in the Iraq market.

The roundtable was opened by Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby, Secretary General & CEO, ABCC, who warmly welcomed the Ambassador to the Chamber and wished His Excellency well in his new post in London.

The event enabled investors and business people with an interest in commercial cooperation with Iraq to gain significant insights into the market and its latest economic developments.

H E Dr Salih Husain Ali Al-Tamimi delivered a detailed presentation on the prospects for investors in a broad range of sectors in Iraq’s economy.

These included oil and gas, housing and infrastructure, transport, healthcare, industrial activities, agriculture, telecommunications, education and tourism.

The roundtable in the boardroom of the ABCC

The Ambassador explained that the government in Baghdad had recently taken steps to improve the investment environment in the country.

His Excellency strongly welcomed greater cooperation with the British private sector to strengthen collaboration and joint ventures between the business sectors of the UK and Iraq.

The ambassador’s encouraging remarks were received with great interest and stimulated an extensive discussion which was chaired by the Rt Hon Lord Trefgarne.

The ambassador was accompanied to the Chamber by senior diplomatic staff from the embassy including Mr Hussein E Hussein, the Deputy Commercial Attaché.

H E Dr Salih Husain Ali Al-Tamimi, Ambassador of Iraq, Mr Hussein E Hussein, Deputy Commercial Attaché, Iraq Embassy and the Rt Hon Lord Trefgarne.

9

Announcement

New One-Year Saudi Visa Service As part of our visa service, the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce that it is now able to provide the new one-year Business Visa for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This one-year visa is available to senior executives with major British companies.

For further details on how to apply please contact Mr Saleh Hasaballah Visa Section Tel: +44(0)20-7659-4875 Email saleh@abcc.org.uk www.abcc.org.uk/visa-services.php ABCC, 43, Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 2NJ

ABCC Services

The Arab-British Chamber of Commerce offers a wide range of services for companies to help them do business. The services range from documentation for exporters to ease their access to markets, customised research, business briefings, networking opportunities to translation and visa services. Discount rates are available for members of the Chamber.

Trade Services Department The Chamber’s unique Export Documentation service is an important asset to Arab-British trade. With our extensive experience, we are ideally positioned to assist exporters entering the substantial and sophisticated Arab market, encompassing all your certification and legalisation needs.

It is essential when exporting to present the correct documentation as errors can be very expensive, leading to costly delays in payment and in clearing the goods, and even to non-payment.

The documentation service includes: l Export Documentation Service l Direct Member Documentation l EUR1 (members) l FCO Service l Notary Service l A-Cert Electronic Documentation Process

Training Courses The Chamber also provides various training courses to assist companies with their business. These include cultural awareness, language courses and courses relating to export procedures. l International trade training programmes l Business training programmes l Arabic language training at various levels

Venue Hire The Chamber’s fully equipped venue options are customised to meet all requirements for your AGMs, Board Meetings, Conferences, Presentations, Trade Shows, Exhibitions, Workshops, Lectures, Product Launches and Professional Development Seminars.

For venue hire enquiries please contact Mr Alaa Eldakhakhny email: alaa@abcc.org.uk or tel: +44 (0) 20 7659 4899

l Visa Service (A-BCC members’ only) l Express Service for Emergency Documentation. l A daily courier service to other destinations,

Turkey, Egypt, Iran and Argentina.

l Market Entry Report / Research

CONTACT Cliff Lawrence, Deputy Manager, Trade Services Arab-British Chamber of Commerce e: Cliff.lawrence@abcc.org.uk t: +44(0)20-7659-4881

www.abcc.org.uk

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NEW MEMBERS

from page 3

Boodle Hatfield LLP

240 Blackfriars Road London SE1 8NW Contact: Ms Shaima Jillodd, Partner Tel: +44(0)20-7629 7411 Email: bh@boodlehatfield.com www.boodlehatfield.com Law firm for private wealth and property

CloudBuy Plc

5 Jupiter House Calleva Park Reading Berkshire RG7 8NN Contact: Mr David Gibbons, CFO Tel: +44(0)118-963 7000 Email: david.gibbon@cloudbuy.com www.cloudbuy.com Integrated software platform for e-Procurement and e-Commerce

Glasswall Solutions Limited

18a St James’s Place London SW1A 1NH Contact: Mr Philip Rambech, Managing Director Mideast Tel: +44(0)20-3814 3890 Email: info@glasswallsolutions.com www.glasswallsolutions.com Cyber security solutions

Good Lead Limited (T/A Thames VIP) 7 Ely Court Willingham Way Kingston upon Thames KT1 3AL Contact: Mrs Wafa Ibrahim, CEO Tel: +44(0)754-0336 686 Email: info@thames-vip.com Richard Nelson LLP in Association with Faroosi Legal Ltd www.thames-vip.com Events organiser

Hesperia Investment Limited

412D 14 Basil Street London SW3 1AJ Contact: Mr Koki Matsumoto, Director Tel: +44(0)20-3402 4820 Email: koki@hesperia-inv.co.uk Consultancy, real estate and investment management

I S Ameen Limited

43-45 Portman Square London W1H 6HN Contact: Mr Imran Sidyot, CEO Tel: +44(0)20-7969 2820 Email: sidyot@isameen.com www.isameen.com Construction project managers, chartered quantity surveyors, construction consultants, property consultants

Kanoo Travel Ltd

20 Charles Street Sheffield South Yorkshire S1 1GW Contact: Ms Helen Callaghan, Head of Corporate Sales Tel: +44(0)114- 263 9307 Email: helen.w.callaghan@kanoo.co.uk www.kanoo.co.uk Business and leisure travel and foreign currency services

Lifestyle London Design & Build Ltd Unit 20 Abbeville Mews 88 Clapham Park Road London SW4 7BX Contact: Ms Sadia Afghan, CEO Tel: +44(0)20-7720 3082 Email: info@lifestylebyasq.co.uk www.lifestylebyasq.co.uk Building refurbishments, kitchen and bathroom supplies

London Links Trading Limited

Suite 1 Bulldog House London Reading Berkshire RG10 9EU Contact: Dr Bahaa Naoum, CEO Tel: +44(0)751-442 2049 Email: bahaa@londonlinkstrading.co.uk www.londonlinkstrading.co.uk Wholesale exporter of health and beauty products

Metaenterprices Ltd

50 Cambridge Road Barking Essex IG11 8FG Contact: Mr Mohammed Mohsin, Managing Director Tel: +44(0)20-8591 4446 Email: info@metaenterprices.co.uk www.metaenterprices.co.uk Purchase and supply of ferrous and nonferrous metals and zinc

Noori Travel and Tours Ltd

33 Parliament Street Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE1 2LS Contact: Mr Kamran Akhtar, Manager Tel: +44(0)20-3318 5786 Email: info@noorivisa.co.uk www.nooritravel.co.uk Hajj and Umrah travel specialist

Rayner Essex LLP

Tavistock House South WC1H 9LG Contact Mr Laith Hilfi, Executive Manager -Tax Tel: +44(0)20 73882641 Email: Laith@rayneressex.com www.rayneressex.com Chartered accountants

R & R Ice Cream

Richmond House Leeming Bar Industrial Estate Northallerton North Yorkshire DL7 9UL Contact: Mr James Turner, Sales Controller Tel: +44(0)1677 423 397 Email: James.Turner@uk.rr-icecream.eu www.rr-icecream.eu Ice cream manufacturers

The Rembrandt Hotel

11 Thurloe Place London SW7 2RS Contact: Ms Kay Shelford, Director of Sales Tel: +44(0)20-7661 1672 Email: kshelford@sarova.com www.sarova-rembrandthotel.com Hotel accommodation

Sepam UK Limited

201 Qwest Great West Road Brentford Middlesex TW8 9BS Contact: ???

Tel: +44(0)20-3176 0167 Email: AKeogh@sepam.com www.sepam.com Engineering, project management, construction

Taylor Howes Designs

49-51 Cheval Place Knightsbridge London SW7 1EW Contact: Ms Karen Howes, CEO Tel: +44(0)20-7349 9017 Email: Karen@taylorhowes.co.uk www.taylorhowes.co.uk London-based international luxury interior design practice

Trans Arap Ltd

Kasak Sok Nazmiye Hak Apt 6/11 Esentepe Sisli Istanbul Turkey Contact: Mr Abdullah Abdulrahman Abbas, CEO Tel: +90-537 50 96913 Email: trans.arap@gmail.com Oil & gas derivatives, construction, medical supplies, transport & shipping

United Pharma Limited

Office 12 Jenner Avenue London W3 6EQ Contact: Mr Zaher Almahmoud, General Manager Tel: +44(0)20-8993 3818 Email: info@unitedpharma.co.uk www.unitedpharma.co.uk Pharmaceuticals wholesaler and distributor

Tunisia’s transition to democracy made remarkable progress. The country ratified a democratic constitution, a general election ushered in a new parliament forming a national unity government with four of the five largest parties, while welcoming its first democratically elected president.

Tunisia has high expectations for economic growth, and President Caid Essebsi has called for structural reforms to overcome substantial economic challenges. These include a revised investment code; a new public-private partnership law; and reforms to banking, taxes, and customs. Enacting these reforms will be essential for attracting foreign and domestic investment.

With the kind support of the Embassy of Tunisia in London, FIPA Tunisia (Invest in Tunisia Agency) and the UK Department of Trade

Tunisia has a highly diversified economy. With a population of slightly over 10 million, it has one of the highest standards of living on the continent and has prospered under long-standing government policies to develop manufacturing, tourism and agriculture. The high education level of the active population combined with sound macroeconomic management and the quality of public institutions offer particularly favourable conditions for doing business.

www.abcc.org.uk/details/91/Opportunities_in_ Tun/?utm_campaign=137927_Opportunities%20in%20 Tunisia&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Arab%20 British%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce&dm_ i=3PDZ,2YFB,JPP06,8K26,1

For any enquiries please contact ABCC Trade Services Department on 020 76594880 or email el-idrissi@abcc.org.uk To REGISTER

The Arab-British Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, 12th October 2016 WHERE

WHEN

PARTICIPATION CHARGES

43 Upper Grosvenor Street, London, W1K 2NJ

3.30pm for 4.00pm start, followed by networking reception 6.00 pm till 8.00 pm

• Member: £15 + VAT

With kind support from:

• Non-member: £30 + VAT

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MEMBERS NEWS

RICHARD NELSON LLP IN ASSOCIATION WITH FAROOSI LEGAL LIMITED Richard Nelson LLP is a national firm of solicitors providing a range of specialist legal services to professionals, businesses and individuals throughout England and Wales and internationally.

The firm’s corporate, commercial and criminal lawyers have been mentioned in the Legal 500 and other publications. They have experience acting for a variety of businesses and individuals. We work with you to understand your business aims and objective so we can provide relevant legal advice.

Some of our lawyers in the team are dual qualified Chartered Certified Accountants as well as lawyers. This means they are knowledgeable on finance and business which allows them to provide legal advice which is up to date, commercially relevant and business focused.

Richard Nelson LLP’s lawyers have acted for a variety of businesses ranging from manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, care homes, dental practices, hotels, cybersecurity firms, to name a few. Our clients are national as well as internationally based and we have particular specialism in advising clients who are dealing with the Gulf States and the wider Middle East. We are able to service our clients’ needs from our offices situated throughout England and Wales.

We have the capability of offering our services in Arabic to clients which often helps when advising them who to deal with in the GCC countries and the wider Arab countries.

Offer to ABCC members

n Shareholders agreements

We will offer ABCC members the first £500 (inclusive of VAT) of legal advice free of charge. Some of the services we offer are listed below.

n Venture capital

Commercial

Regulatory

n Standard terms and conditions of business n Commercial Contracts n Franchising and distribution agreements n Agency agreements n Confidentiality agreements n Outsourcing agreements

n Joint venture agreements n Company formations and set up

n Privacy, data protection and information security n Financial Conduct Authority issues n Corporate Governance n Anti-bribery n Legal audit of business organisations n Regulatory Corporate Crime

n Middle East Legal Services

Contact Faris Dean Consultant Solicitor Richard Nelson LLP

n Partnership agreements

Tel: 0845 216 2000

n Information Technology and Intellectual Property agreements

Corporate

Email: farisdean@richardnelsonllp.co.uk www.richardnelsonllp.co.uk

n Sale and purchase of business assets and shares

RAKIA OPENS DOORS TO MEDIA COMPANIES Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) now welcomes media companies and professionals to establish their media related companies in Ras Al Khaimah’s competitive landscape.

In support of this step, RAKIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Media Council (NMC) to support the issuance of media licences.

This new initiative marks RAKIA as the only free zone in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE, servicing media-related companies.

Mr Ramy Jallad, CEO of RAKIA, noted that the expansion of industry activities offered

by RAKIA will certainly boost business opportunities for foreign and local companies in the media industry. “This will

play an important role in diversifying RAK’s economy by developing the media sector and opening new doors,” he stated.

Activities that can be carried out with media licences include TV and radio broadcasting, publishing, advertising, communications, media monitoring and services, production and film support, music, entertainment, and events management amongst many more. In addition to media licences, RAKIA offers industrial, commercial, trading, and consultancy/services licences under free zone and non-free zone jurisdictions.

“This marks another step for RAKIA towards creating new business opportunities, coming up with unique

competitive solutions and encouraging entrepreneurs, SMEs, and other companies from all over the world to set up and expand their businesses in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. We are always committed to contribute to the economic diversification and support the development of new industries of all sectors,” added Mr Jallad.

Contact RAK Investment Authority Ras Al Khaimah, UAE Tel: +971 7 2068666 Email: info@rakia.ae http://rak-ia.com/

SHARJAH

SHARJAH BOOSTS INVESTMENT LINKS WITH UK Opportunities for British investors in Sharjah are gaining greater prominence through the promotional activities of the emirates’s official investment body, Shurooq.

Organised by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, (Shurooq), under the theme "Sharjah Day in London, UK", a business forum on 8 April was designed to introduce British investors and business executives to the prospective investment landscape of Sharjah, UAE, with a specific focus on those sectors which witnessed a sustainable growth year-on-year, reports Khaleej Times.

creating employment opportunities, creating innovation platforms, and creating lasting social impact."

The forum also focused on endorsing Sharjah as a central investment destination for global economies, with diversified sectors that create new business prospects for British investors.

Representing the UAE's presence in the host nation were H E Abdul Rahman Ghanem Almutaiwee, the outgoing UAE Ambassador to the UK, Shaikh Mohammed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Plenipotentiary Minister at the UAE Embassy in the UK, with a following address given by Lord Clement-Jones, Managing Partner of British DLA Piper, a major law firm that has considerable interests in the UAE, Hamid Dhia Jafar, Chairman of the Board of the Crescent Group and multiple UAE-based British business leaders and experts.

Headed by Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chair of Shurooq, the authority hosted a day of speeches, presentations and panel discussions tailored to inform the British audience.

"The relationship with Sharjah is the oldest relationship that the UK has in the UAE," said Shaikha Bodour during her keynote address at the forum. "British companies have set up substantial businesses since the 1800s in Sharjah and they have since been part of our journey of development. We support free trade, we have a highly-educated workforce, flexible legislation, and, most importantly, we have a firm willingness and a clear vision to develop and grow."

During her keynote address, Shaikha Bodour announced the opening of Shurooq's new office in London to facilitate new investment in Sharjah, with the dedicated operation being established to capitalize on the array of opportunities that the emirate has to offer for investors from the UK. Shurooq's new office will form a key plank of Sharjah's aim to increase UAE-UK economic cooperation, with the relationship between the two entities already strongly established, thanks in part to the high level of reciprocal tourism that has strengthened ties and opened eyes to new opportunities.

"In recent years, our trade has grown to be in the billions of dirhams. We believe it will keep growing. However, we measure our success as trade partners not only by the financial return on investment, but also by the impact we have on each other in terms of

Shaikha Bodour concluded: "Our leadership's strategy is clear and Sharjah's economic progress must be balanced with respect to our cultural heritage and with social progress. The result is a stable and diversified economy."

The Arab British Chamber of Commerce works closely with Shurooq in order to promote bilateral trade and investment between the UK and Sharjah. Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Secretary General and Chief Executive, ABCC, participated in the business forum.

Also participating at the forum were some of the biggest names in Sharjah's government and private sector: H E Khalid bin Butti Al Hajri, Director General, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Head of the Commercial Investment Section, Sharjah Economic Development Department, as well as panellists which included Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee'ah, Hussein Al Mahmoudi, CEO of AUS Enterprises; Dr Abdul Aziz Al Muhairi, Director of Sharjah Health Authority and Sharjah Healthcare City, Sheikh Saud Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of Industrial Investment at the Sharjah Economic Development Department, Lalu Samuel, Chairman of Kingston Holding, James Moffatt, CEO of Lamprell plc, and multiple assisting departments from Shurooq such as the Investment Promotions team, PR and Communications team as well as the Corporate communications team.

SMEs in Sharjah One area of the economy particularly targeted for growth is the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector which has seen several new initiatives launched to offer support and encouragement.

As part of its Incubate Business Programme, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) recently announced that it will provide 50 new offices free-of-charge to entrepreneurs that have creative ideas and innovative projects to be carried out in the UAE. Earlier this year, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and the American University of Sharjah launched the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre, ‘Sheraa’, designed to help young people start their own enterprises and raise the Sharjah’s profile as a preferred destination for startups.

Meanwhile, 2016 has also seen the establishment of Sharjah Media City Free Zone for creative and media industries, in a move to encourage more startups and other SMES (small and medium-sized enterprises).

Plans for the AUS Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Park were also announced this year, with the first phase scheduled for completion in 2018.

Other recent initiatives include the setting up of a one-stop-shop for investors setting up businesses in Sharjah and the establishment of an Exports Development Centre by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Shurooq produces a regular newsletter to inform potential investors of the latest developments and opportunities in the market. To sign up for it free of charge, see: http://www.sharjahupdate.com/subscribeform/ Sources: Sharjah Update, Khaleej Times, 10/04/2016

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BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS

552 new hotels ‘under contract’ in Middle East There were 155,899 rooms in 552 hotel projects under contract in the Middle East in July this year, an 18.8 per cent increase compared with July 2015, said a report.

According to STR’s July 2016 Pipeline Report, the Middle East also reported a 12.2 per cent increase in year-over-year comparisons with 83,194 rooms in 259 hotels under construction for the month.

Under contract data includes projects in the construction, final planning and planning stages but does not include projects at the unconfirmed stage.

Two of the key markets in the Middle East and Africa reported more than 20,000 rooms in construction: Makkah, Saudi Arabia (21,835 rooms in 13 hotels) and Dubai (20,882 rooms in 67 hotels). Two additional markets reported more than 5,000 rooms in construction: Doha, Qatar (6,830 rooms in 30 hotels), and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (6,657 rooms in 30 hotels).

EGYPT CARRIES OUT $7.4bn EIGHT PETCHEM PROJECTS The Egyptian petroleum sector owns eight largest petrochemicals projects with investments worth $7.4 billion and total capacities estimated at 4.5 million tons per year.

Oil Minister Tarek El-Molla stated that those projects include the petrochemicals complex of Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (Ethydco) whose investments are estimated at $1.9bn.

El-Molla clarified that the cost of producing petrochemicals is estimated at around $2.4bn and noted that this cost was estimated at around $450 million before 2000.

The Minister added that the eight projects were located in four governorates of Port Said, Suez, Damietta, and Alexandria.

Saudi Gazette, 15/08/2016

Trade Arabia, 16/08/2016

CAMBRIDGE FORUM DISCUSSES KSA’S VISION 2030 PROSPECTS Saudi Arabia’s economic prospects in the context of Vision 2030 were discussed in depth at the 10th BMG Financial Forum held at the University of Cambridge.

BMG Financial Group hosted the forum in partnership with Institutional Investor, a subsidiary of Euromoney.

Al-Majali said Saudi Vision 2030 contains several positive components directly related to the aviation sector of the Kingdom.

Panel discussions centred on Saudi Vision 2030 ‘s positive impact on the Kingdom’s transformation by boosting non-oil revenues and reducing dependence on oil.

Al-Omair spoke about Vision 2030’s positive impact on the health sector and the role of the private sector in the operation and management of Ministry of Health hospitals, as well as the investment and preventive care opportunities the transformation will provide.

Mazen Al-Sudairi, ICAP Group Head Sell Side Research, discussed the outlook for the Kingdom’s stock market.

Moderated by Institutional Investor, a panel discussion on economic prospects in the light of Vision 2030 included UCA CEO Machaal Karam, Saudi Gulf CEO Samer Al-Majali, Amlak International MD Abdullah Al-Howaish and Nosha CEO Saleh Al-Omair.

Al-Howaish discussed the Ministry of Housing’s objectives, which include improving real estate’s business performance and its increased contribution to GDP. Arab News, 10/08/2016

AMBITIOUS PLAN TO KICK-START OMAN CAR INDUSTRY Sigit Oman Automotive Group (SOAG) has unveiled plans for a portfolio of local and international investments designed to position Oman at the centre of an international supply chain serving the auto industry. igit Oman Automotive Group owns Italian-based international auto parts manufacturer Sigit, which operates a string of plants in Europe and North Africa.

The company, a multinational auto component manufacturer in which sovereign wealth fund Oman Investment Fund (OIF) has a large stake, has also partnered with leading technology providers to offer parts for the worldwide household appliances manufacturing industry.

According to SOAG’s Chairman, the Group’s Board of Directors approved a strategic five-year plan to pave the way for the emergence of a future automotive industry in Oman.

SOAG’s Vision 2020 investment plan supplements OIF’s broader strategy to jumpstart the development of an auto industry in the Sultanate —part of a concerted drive to diversify the nation’s predominantly hydrocarbonbased economy.

OIF is currently partnering with Iran’s Khodro Industrial Group in setting up a car assembly line at Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ). More recently, the wealth fund announced a partnership with Qatari-owned Karwa Automobiles for the establishment of an auto assembly plant at Duqm with an investment of $160 million.

Oman Observer, 01/08/2016

BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS

DIFC Courts to launch Gulf’s first ‘virtual court’ The GCC’s first ‘virtual court’ is expected to launch at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts in September.

DIFC Courts is reconfiguring part of its Small Claims Tribunal (STC) so that one room provides for remote access via Skype-type technology.

It will enable tenants, employees, small-tomedium-sized businesses (SMEs) and others making claims amounting to AED1 million ($272,000) or less to have their cases heard remotely.

MOROCCO NEW DESTINATION FOR ECOTOURISM Recent efforts to market Morocco as a prime destination for ecotourism in the Mediterranean are receiving more of the world’s attention.

environmentally-friendly hotel located 15 minutes from downtown Marrakesh. With its organic vegetable garden, farm animals and pool, the hotel called Berber Farm offers both tranquillity and entertainment.

As part of its ecotourism strategy, Morocco has drawn up a charter to encourage professionals to develop new practices that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Morocco’s Vision 2020 Tourism Strategy aims to make the tourism industry more competitive, increase bed capacity to 372,300, attract 20 million tourists by 2020, and transform the country into one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

At present, all parties in an SCT case must be present at a hearing, including the judge.

Ecotourism is at the forefront of the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism’s strategy to develop new tourist attractions.

The initiative is part of DIFC Courts’ strategy to become ‘the world’s leading commercial court’ by 2021.

Sustainability is seen as vital to this tourism strategy because the sector represents about 12% of Morocco’s GDP.

Morocco among Safest Countries for Tourists: UK Foreign Office

The growth of ecotourism is a hot topic as Marrakech gears up to host the UNFCCC COP 22 Summit in November, Morocco World News reported.

The British Foreign Office (FCO) updated its travel advice for visitors to Morocco on 8 June, stating that “around 500,000 British nationals visit Morocco every year” and that “most visits are trouble-free.”

The MWN news website reported that French TV channel TF1 had recently featured an

MWN, 15/08/2016

In the first quarter of 2016, the SCT heard claims totalling AED3.4 million ($925,000), a 50 percent increase compared to the same period last year, DIFC Courts said.

Arabian Business, 20/07/2016

Investcorp acquires UK cybersecurity firm Bahrain-based private equity investor Investcorp has, together with its portfolio company SecureLink Group, acquired the UK’s largest independent cybersecurity service provider, Nebulas Solutions.

Founded in 2001 in London and employing 50 staff, Nebulas provides a broad range of IT security products and services including managed security services and cyber threat intelligence to predominantly mid to large enterprises in the UK. Combined with the recent acquisition of Scandinavia’s Coresec Systems, SecureLink and Nebulas will operate across six countries in Europe, employ over 550 members of staff and generate more than €235 million in revenue, said a statement.

Mohammed Al-Shroogi, co-CEO at Investcorp, said: “As a combined group SecureLink, Coresec and Nebulas will form the second largest cybersecurity player in Europe providing best in breed products suited to a wide range of industries. The Nebulas acquisition gives us access to new markets, increased scale, a diversified product offering and a wealth of new talent and expertise.”

Trade Arabia, 16/08/2016

‘SAUDI GRAINS ORGANISATION TO BE PRIVATISED IN A YEAR’ The Saudi Grains Organisation (SAGO) will be completely privatised within the next 12 months, its Chairman and Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadli, has said.

The privatisation of the organisation was decided by the Council of Ministers.

He said the government is subsidising cereals with more than SR3 billion annually and added that new extensions and branches for the organisation will soon be opened in the Eastern Province.

“The ministry is attempting to increase the storage capacity of grain silos by fivefold and to double the grain output,” he said.

SAGO had recently opened a flour mill in Al-Kharj with a daily capacity of 600 ton of wheat.

Earlier, storage mills with a capacity of 120,000 metric ton in Jazan and a flour mill producing 600 ton a day were opened.

Saudi Gazette, 15/08/2016

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BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS

MASDAR PASSES MILESTONE FOR MAURITANIAN SOLAR NETWORK Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s future energy company, yesterday announced that it has passed the halfway mark in its project to construct a 16.6 MW solar power plant network in Mauritania in north west Africa.

Masdar broke ground on the project in December last year, and when complete, the network of eight solar power plants will almost double the UAE’s contribution to Mauritania’s renewable energy capacity to a total of 31.6 MW. The plants will supply 30% of the electricity demand to the remote communities of Boutilimit, Aleg, Aioune, Akjoujt, Atar, El Chami, Boulenour and Bani Chab, reducing their dependency on diesel-fuelled generators, decreasing annual fuel costs and lowering carbon dioxide emissions. None of these communities are currently connected to the national grid.

Mauritanian national electricity provider Societe Mauritanienne d’Electricite, SOMELEC, selected Masdar as the preferred partner for the project based on the successful delivery of the 15 MW Sheikh Zayed Solar Power Plant in the capital city of Nouakchott.

At the time of its completion in 2013, this plant was the largest solar power installation in Africa and Mauritania’s first utility-scale solar power project, accounting for more than 10 per cent of the country’ gridconnected capacity.

Emirates News Agency, WAM, 18/08/2016

KUWAIT PLANS FIRST ECOFRIENDLY, ‘SMART’ CITY Saad Al-Abdullah City is to be the first smart and environment-friendly city in Kuwait built to international standards.

On completion it will cover an area of over 59km2 and provide accommodation for 400,000 people.

Minister of State for Housing Affairs Yasser Abul and Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kang Ho-in, signed a memorandum of understanding to develop South Saad Al-Abdullah new city, which will be the first Middle East city to be both eco-friendly and smart, and will include more than 30,000 housing units.

Under the agreement, Korea Land and Housing Corporation will work on the plan and conduct feasibility studies, collaborating with Kuwait’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare to establish a joint company in charge of designing, constructing and

operating the project.

The environment-friendly smart city will be based on modern technology through connecting its services and roads by an internet network, enabling citizens to access services efficiently with smart phones and devices.

Experts explained that the possibility of connecting the city to electricity through solar cells will be studied. The urban environment design will avoid visual pollution through binding city inhabitants to use only specific colours for buildings.

Bahrain’s Investcorp sells UK-based Tyrrells for $391m Bahrain-based Investcorp announced the sale of Crisps Topco Limited (Tyrrells) to Amplify Snack Brands Inc for £300 million ($391.4 million).

Tyrrells is a UK-based premium manufacturer of hand-cooked potato and vegetable crisps, popcorn and savoury snacks which Investcorp acquired in August 2013 for £100 million.

Investcorp said the sale of Tyrrells is its ninth exit in Europe in the last 12 months.

Arabian Business, 08/08/2016

Ongoing Dubai construction projects said to be worth $400bn Dubai’s construction industry currently has over 3,700 projects ongoing across the emirate worth an estimated $400 billion, according to a new report from Business News for Construction.

BNC’s Dubai Construction Market 2016 report, commissioned by The Big 5 construction industry event, highlighted an upward trajectory for the market.

Although approximately 21 percent of projects are on hold, a large number of projects are in advanced stages of construction, with an estimated value of over $100 billion, the report said.

High-value projects under construction include the Sobha Hartland Development ($2.1 billion), the Royal Atlantis Resort and Residences – Palm Jumeirah ($1.4 billion) and the Innovation Hub PT-163 – Dubai Internet City ($1.2 billion), it added.

Commercial and residential units, education, healthcare and hospitality buildings, leisure and recreation facilities, religious buildings, retail facilities and mixed-use urban development projects comprise approximately 77 percent of all project values in Dubai.

Saad Al-Abdullah project’s implementation is expected to begin in February.

Total spending on infrastructure projects related to Dubai Expo 2020 could reach up to $18 billion, with estimated development costs of the Dubai South Area between $8.1-$8.7 billion.

KUNA, 01/08/2016

Arabian Business, 19/08/2016

BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS

LOW-ENERGY ARCHITECTURE TO GET MAJOR BOOST IN THE GULF Countries in the GCC are expected to focus on new low-energy architecture over the coming years, as billions of dollars are ploughed into infrastructure development across the region.

The GCC facades market is likely to witness significant growth as a result of this big rise in the number of construction, refurbishment and renovation projects which is driven by plans for tourism expansion and major events like the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, the Expo 2020 Dubai

and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha.

Spending on building exteriors in the region will increase from $8bn this year to $12bn in 2024.

Accounting for 41.8 percent of the overall facades market last year, Saudi Arabia alone is estimated to grow to $5.5bn by 2024, up from $3bn this year.

The regional market study, issued by USbased market research and consulting specialists Grand View Research, estimates increased spending on facades in the Gulf countries between this year and 2024 as follows: UAE – $2bn to $3bn; Qatar – $1bn to $2bn; Kuwait — $603m to $825m; Oman – $434m to $535m; and Bahrain – $226m to $305m.

The Peninsula, 20/07/2016

FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN QATAR GROWS TO QR525.7BN The total foreign investment in Qatar has touched an estimated QR525.7bn. The country’s total inward investments increased by QR1.6bn at the end of 2014, from a year ago, “Qatar foreign investment survey 2015” released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS) noted.

Other foreign investments, meaning transactions from aboard in the form of loans and investments, touched QR306bn, up QR17.3bn compared to the previous year. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Qatar stood at QR141.1bn, while portfolio investments amounted to QR78.6bn.

According to the Ministry’s data, Qatar’s outward investment increased by QR35.3bn to QR306.2bn. Other foreign investments consisting of long term loans and trade related short term financial instruments touched QR166bn of the total assets, while foreign direct investment abroad stood at QR117bn and portfolio investments or financial securities clocked QR23.2bn.

Outward flow of foreign direct investment amounted to QR3.1bn in 2014 against QR13.1bn in 2013.

Over 90 percent of the inward FDI was

accounted for by the oil and gas associated downstream manufacturing and other activities such as transportation and marketing. In terms of the book value of investments, manufacturing activities accounted for 52 percent of the total value of FDI, followed by mining and quarrying (38 percent) and financial insurance activities (4 percent) at the end of 2014.

Over 60 countries contributed to the stock of FDI in Qatar. The top four countries’ share of FDI accounted for 94 percent. These included the European Union, US, other American countries and the GCC. The ‘Other American Countries Group’ accounted for the major share of FDI inward stock in 2014, with 34 percent, followed by the EU (33 percent) US (22 percent) and GCC (5 percent).

The Peninsula, 18/08/2016

ABU DHABI RECORDS 4,787 NEW LICENSES The overall number of new commercial licenses registered by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, ADDED’s Abu Dhabi Business Centre (ADBC), during the first half of 2016 has reached 4,787.

The first quarter saw 2,339 licenses while the second quarter scored 2,448 licenses, which brought the overall number of licenses in Abu Dhabi to 110,445.

According to the ADBC’s biannual report of 2016, the total number of renewed licenses in the first half of this year amounted to 42,132, of which 21,040 were in the first quarter and 21,092 in the second quarter.

The number of license activity amendments in the 1st half of 2015 was 13,642, of which 7,090 were in the 1st quarter and 6,552 in the 2nd quarter.

WAM, 08/08/2016

Gold glory for Saudi Arabia With nearly 333 tons of gold reserves, the Kingdom ranks 16th globally and first among Arab countries, according to the 2016 Gold Demand Trends (Q2) report issued by the World Gold Council.

Saudi Arabia ranked 6th with 16.7 tons in the second quarter of 2016. The UAE ranked 10th globally, with consumer demand for gold reaching 12.5 tons.

China maintains the top position.

Demand for gold increased by 15 percent, from 910.4 tons in the last quarter of 2015 to 1050.2 tons in the second quarter of 2016.

The total supply of gold increased by 10 percent during the second quarter of 2016, from 1041.7 tons at the end of 2015 to 1144.6 tons in the second quarter of 2016.

Arab News, 18/08/2016

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LEBANON

LEBANON HUB FOR FILM PRODUCTION Lebanon is booming as a film production hub in the MENA region, according to IDAL, the country’s national investment promotion agency.

KEY FACTS AND FIGURES ON THE LEBANESE FILM INDUSTRY The film industry has seen a significant growth over the last four years as measured by the number of Lebanese films produced each year, hovering at 31 units in 2015 with an approximate investment value of $32.4 million, which represent a significant growth compared to an yearly average of 11 and an investment size of $8.8 million produced in the previous four-year period.

Lebanon is a source of talent for the entire Arab region and is both highly skilled and cost competitive. n Every year, around 220 students are estimated to graduate with a degree in the audio-visual arts. Specialized universities and faculties ensure these students are fit to meet the market requirements. n Workers are not only highly skilled but also cost competitive with average wages usually 50%-60% lower than in GCC countries.

There are 91 audio-visual production/ postproduction houses in Lebanon with most cutting edge production equipment. n Production houses in Lebanon offers a wide spectrum of production facilities with state of the art equipment and professional teams to make it happen. n This industry also comprises postproduction companies that offer services in editing, film/tape transfers, titling, closed captioning, computer-produced graphics, animation and special effects, as well as developing and processing motion picture films.

With around 15 distribution companies, Lebanon offers a solid ground for movie distribution through: good relations with foreign directors and producers.

Filming Scenery: Lebanon can offer a wide range of locations - all in pretty close proximity n Filmmakers can take full advantage of Lebanon’s unique and diversified scenery of beaches, mountains, and a blend of Middle Eastern, European and ancient

architecture, which can easily cater to almost any type of staging required.

INCENTIVES FOR MEDIA PROJECTS

n Work permits for various categories, exclusively needed for the project, provided that at least two Lebanese nationals are employed for each foreigner.

All employees should be registered with the National Social Security Fund.

Region Based Incentives or Investment Project by Zone (IPZ)

Region Based Incentives or Package Deal Contract (PDC)

ZONE A

Minimum Investment Requirement is USD 400,000

Minimum Investment Requirement is USD 200,000 n 100% Exemption from corporate income tax for two years provided that the company’s shares are listed in the Beirut Stock Exchange. In this case, the effective negotiable shares should be no less than 40% of the capital of the company n Work permits for various categories, exclusively needed for the project, provided that at least two Lebanese nationals are employed for each foreigner.

All employees should be registered with the National Social Security Fund.

ZONE B Minimum Investment Requirement is USD 200,000 n 50% reduction on corporate income tax and taxes on project dividends, for a period of five years. The reduction shall be applicable as soon as excavation works for the project commence, in accordance with the provisions of the Law. n Work permits for various categories, exclusively needed for the project, provided that at least two Lebanese nationals are employed for each foreigner.

All employees should be registered with the National Social Security Fund.

ZONE C Minimum Investment Requirement is USD 200,000 n A 100% exemption from corporate income tax and taxes on project dividends for a period of 10 years. The exemption shall be applicable as soon as excavation works for the project commence, in accordance with the provisions of the Law.

Minimum Number of Jobs Required: 25 n 100% exemption from Corporate Income Taxes for up to ten years starting as from the commencement date of the exploitation of the project n 100% exemption of Taxes on Project Dividends for up to ten years starting as from the commencement date of the exploitation of the project. n Up to 50% Reduction on Work and Residence Permit Fees regardless of their category and depending on the number of permits required. Also the value of the certificate of deposit entrusted to the Housing Bank shall be reduced by half. n Up to 50% Reduction on Construction Permit Fees related to the buildings to be established & needed for the execution of the project benefiting from the provisions of the Package Deal Contract. n 100% exemption from Land Registration Fees at the Real Estate Register and from fees needed for annexation, sub-division, mortgage and registration of lease contracts at the Real Estate Register. n Obtaining Work Permits of all categories provided that the project benefiting of the Package Deal Contract preserves the interests of the local labour force through employing at least two Lebanese nationals against one foreigner, and registering them in the National Fund for Social Security. n Exemption from the obligation of including Lebanese natural and legal persons in the Board of Directors in Joint Stock companies.

For further information see: www.investinlebanon.gov.lb

EGYPT

EGYPT SEEKS TO BOOST FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT The Cairo government’s drive to boost foreign capital flows has moved forward with the launch of a new foreign direct investment (FDI) council, although there is still room for further improvements, reports Oxford Business Group.

On July 2 Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi announced that he had accepted the government’s suggestion to establish a Higher Council for Investment, according to a press statement.

business through the establishment of the one-stop shop.

Opportunities on the horizon

Chaired by the president himself, the council is tasked with facilitating FDI and will be vested with executive power to make decisions on legislation pertaining to investment.

According to press reports, the council is expected to include the Prime Minister, the governor of the central bank, as well as representatives from a wide range of ministries, government agencies and nongovernmental bodies, and the private sector.

On a July visit to China, Dalia Khorshid, Minister of Investment, said that the council would review all investment laws and procedures with a view to improving the investment environment substantially, as part of the government’s economy-led programme The decision to form the council comes after meetings between President El Sisi, Prime Minster Sherif Ismail, and Khorshid, and follows on from Egypt’s new Investment Law.

Investment incentives Approved last year, the new Investment Law and its subsequent executive regulations aim to make it easier to invest in the country, creating a one-stop-shop for investors and rolling out a range of new incentives.

The law allows for incorporation procedures to be implemented through a single government agency, the General Authority for Investments and Free Zones, and introduces a number of fiscal amendments, including a decrease in the Customs rate for imported tools, equipment, and machinery from 5% to 2%.

Meanwhile, other incentives include reduced energy prices; the possibility of partial reimbursement on costs of utilities, technical training, and social security charges; and free or reduced cost land.

There has been some encouraging momentum in recent months, which should lend credence to Egypt’s reform efforts.

President El Sisi

To qualify for these benefits, investment projects must meet specific regulations, including a requirement that they employ 250 Egyptians or more, and target certain sectors or areas of the country deemed high priority.

Room for improvement The new law and the Higher Council For Investment should help burnish Egypt’s ability to attract inbound investment, although the country’s business environment still presents challenges to potential investors.

Overall, Egypt ranked 131 out of 189 economies in the World Bank’s “Doing Business 2016” report, down five places from 2015.

The headline change masks some improvements: the country ranks higher for getting credit (79) and starting a business (73), for example, but performs poorly on measures including enforcing contracts (155) and trading across borders (157).

However, the government has made substantial progress in protecting minority investors over the past year, rising 11 places to 122nd due to reform efforts, according to the World Bank report.

The new investment law and related legislation should go some way to further strengthen Egypt’s performance, particularly regarding trading across borders as a result of easing Customs fees, and starting a

A recent report released in June 2016 by UNCTAD found that Egypt was one of the top five destinations for inbound FDI in Africa, receiving $6.9bn in 2015, an increase of nearly 50% from 2014.

More recently, in July Russia’s ministry of trade announced that a number of Russian companies were planning to invest $4.6bn in a new industrial park in East Port Said, with construction slated to begin in 2018.

Much of the investment is expected to come from the private sector, with energy companies Gazprom and Inter RAO among those interested, according to press reports.

The park will also offer an attractive tax regime for foreign firms, including a 10% income tax and no sales tax, according to press reports.

The Egyptian government’s General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone will be responsible for financing and providing water and electricity, while a Russianappointed developer will be responsible for infrastructure within the 2-sq-km zone.

OBG, 04/08/2016

Company Survey A study by the World Bank, conducted in collaboration with the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction, showed that 50% of companies surveyed in Egypt believe that political instability was the main obstacle they faced, in addition to electricity and funding problems. The report covered 1,500 Egyptian companies as part of 6,000 companies in the Middle East and North Africa, Al-Monitor reported, 4 August 2016.

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OMAN

OMAN LOOKS TO ATTRACT UK INVESTORS Capitalising on its strategic location, infrastructure, regional ties and talent, Oman is looking to lure UK waste management and logistics companies to set up offices in the sultanate, helping them reach out to the fast growing economies of the Gulf, Iran and East Africa.

To this end, and reaffirming Oman’s excellent trade relationship with the UK, Ithraa, Oman’s inward investment and export development agency, led a top-flight business delegation to London, between 25 – 27 July 2016 to meet with senior UK government officials and key business leaders.

Oman’s political and economic stability gives UK investors great confidence. The strength and warmth of the bilateral relationship and the long trading history also add to the market’s attraction. The sultanate’s infrastructure and development as a global logistics hub through ports, air, rail and road construction and expansion coupled with a choice of world-class free trade zones, industrial estates and tech parks offer a strong mix for UK waste management and logistics companies.

In the run up to the trade visit, Mrs Alya Al Hosni, Ithraa’s Director of Industrial Investment, stated: “The UK trade visit gives us an ideal opportunity to showcase the wide-ranging logistics and waste management opportunities on offer in Oman, as well as build on the success of the longstanding Oman – UK trade relationship.

It also provides us the opportunity to meet the next generation of UK companies looking to do business in the Gulf and Asia. We genuinely believe there is no better place in the GCC to establish a business than in Oman. This is the message the team will be wanting to put across during our visit.”

Oman has been successful in attracting multinational investors in industries such as plastics, aluminum and steel, methanol and fertilisers and is now diversifying into non-oil industries that include logistics, tourism, fisheries, food processing, minerals, manufacturing and waste management.

To date, the UK is Oman’s largest source of foreign direct investment with over $7 billion of investment, and one of the sultanate’s top trading partners with exports of UK goods to Oman doubling between 2007 and 2014.

“UK companies should look at Oman as a strategic location using it as a hub for trade with the GCC, Iran and East Africa, benefiting

Port of Salalah, Oman

from the sultanate’s political and economic stability, infrastructure, multilingual workforce and friendly and flexible laws which welcome foreign investment,” remarked Ithraa’s Director of Industrial Investment.

The UK Trade & Investment office based at the British Embassy in Muscat helped over 750 UK companies to do business in Oman in 2015, providing in-country expertise and business guides, sign posting to relevant local partners, facilitating meetings, arranging visit programs and providing networking opportunities.

“Trade promotion services form a central part of what Ithraa does and we are particularly proud of our track-record of helping UK companies set-up and export from the sultanate. We also offer a range of inward investment services, advice and market intelligence that give UK clients interested in setting up in Oman the edge they need to compete in the Gulf’s highly lucrative market. And we understand that foreign investment is a key driver of jobs and growth for the Omani economy and that is why the UK visit is so important to us,” explained Mrs Al Hosni.

SUCCESS FOR NON-OIL EXPORTERS Oman’s non-oil exporters are now enjoying considerable international success. For example, Omani stone adds decorative elegance to Dubai Metro and Birmingham

International Airport, its batteries power London’s iconic red double decker buses and Rusayl-made cables are in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, as well as at Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport.

KEY SECTORS A series of short films covering Oman’s key industrial sectors and explaining the opportunities available to investors have been produced. These films cover marble and stone, manufacturing, logistics, food processing, creative industries, education and training, tourism, petrochemicals, healthcare, agriculture and fisheries, mining and minerals, and ICT. They can be found here: https://ithraa.om/EN/Media/Pages/ Films.aspx

ABOUT ITHRAA Founded in 1997, Ithraa is a government-run, ISO and Investor in People certified inward investment and export promotion agency.

It provides a range of support services and information to help domestic and international investors set up in, and export from, Oman.

For further information please contact: Mrs Sajda Al Ghaithy Media Director, Ithraa Sultanate of Oman sajda@ithraa.om https://ithraa.om

ALGERIA

CONSTRUCTION IN ALGERIA - KEY TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES The Algerian construction industry will continue to expand in real terms over the forecast period (2016– 2020), with investments in infrastructure construction, healthcare, the manufacturing industry, education facilities and housing projects.

Forecast-period growth will also be driven by the country’s five-year investment programme 2015–2019, under which the government aims to develop the country’s road, rail and airport infrastructure.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government generates two-thirds of its revenue and 95.0% of its total export revenue from oil and natural gas. Since mid-2014, oil prices have fallen by more than 50.0%. Prices declined from US$108.0 per barrel in June 2014 to US$30.0 in December 2015. Despite the decline, the government remained dedicated to investments in priority infrastructure and development projects.

In real terms, the industry's output value rose at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.07% during the review period (2011–2015), although it will decelerate to 4.68% over the forecast period, due to a decline in oil prices and government plans to reduce expenditure in 2016 in an attempt to reduce the deficit.

Residential construction was the largest market in the Algerian construction industry during the review period, accounting for 40.6% of its total value in 2015. The market is expected to remain the largest over the forecast period, and will account for 41.0% of the industry's total value in 2020, driven by government policies to support social housing. Affordable housing projects and government plans to develop underprivileged areas will also support this growth.

Government subsidies will also help low- and middle-income earners purchase houses.

The industry will benefit from the government's five-year development plan 2015–2019 to maintain sustainable economic growth and enhance living standards. It aims to double

electricity production capacity by 2017, coupled with doubling gas production by 2020. n The Algerian government intends to diversify its nation energy mix and save fossil fuel by increasing the capacity of renewable energy power plants.

Accordingly, in 2011, the government adopted national renewable energy development plan (2011–2030). Under this plan, it aims to produce 13,575.0MW from solar photovoltaic, 5,010.0MW from wind power, 2,000.0MW from Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), 1,000.0MW from biomass, 400.0MW from cogeneration and 15.0MW from geothermal. n The government’s focus on providing affordable houses via social housing programs is expected to drive the growth of the residential construction market over the forecast period. In 2015, the government launched a new five-year investment plan 2015–2019 worth DZD25.9 trillion (US$262.0 billion). Under this programme, the government aims to develop transport infrastructure, healthcare facilities, housing, education and energy infrastructure. n The government aims to expand metro lines under the PPP model, to improve transport infrastructure. Accordingly, in January 2016, the government awarded a contract worth DZD20.7 billion (US$191.6 million) to Colas Rail for the extension of the metro network. Under the contract, the government aims to build five new railway stations and an extension of 3.6km subway lines towards south of the capital, and 1.7km towards the north. n The government is investing in the construction of new commercial and cargo ports to address congestion. In 2015, it announced plans to build a new commercial port in Cherchell and Ténès by 2025, with an expected investment of DZD200.0 billion (US$2.0 billion).

SUMMARY London-based Timetric’s Construction in Algeria – Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 report provides detailed market analysis, information and insights into the country’s construction industry, including: n The construction industry’s growth prospects by market, project type and construction activity n Analysis of equipment, material and service costs for each project type in Algeria

n Critical insight into the impact of industry trends and issues, and the risks and opportunities they present to participants in the Algerian construction industry n Profiles of the leading operators in the industry n Data highlights of the largest construction projects in the country The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the construction industry in Algeria, such as: n Historical (2011-2015) and forecast (2016-2020) valuations of the construction industry in Algeria using construction output and value-add methods n Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by project type n Breakdown of values within each project type, by type of activity (new construction, repair and maintenance, refurbishment and demolition) and by type of cost (materials, equipment and services) n Analysis of key construction industry issues, including regulation, cost management, funding and pricing n Detailed profiles of the leading construction companies in Algeria n Identify and evaluate market opportunities using Timetric’s standardised valuation and forecasting methodologies. n Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts. n Understand the latest industry and market trends. n Formulate and validate strategy using Timetric’s critical and actionable insight. n Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures. n Evaluate competitive risk and success factors.

For further information see: https://timetric.com/about/

23

24

ECONOMICMOROCCO FOCUS SYRIA BID TO WOO INVESTORS

MOROCCO – TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT Morocco’s hi-tech story is about applying existing technology to create business opportunities and improve governance and service delivery.

‘Think of your country as a company,” says Larbi Belarbi, a man who helped to bring Renault to Morocco. “As such you need to think of your advantages in the selection of what you do: The location of your market and ease of trading with it, the critical mass of skills and productivity and low costs of your workforce, and the efficiency of your infrastructure. And you need to adapt government to suit, improving each of these areas in making the business case to invest.”

Ten kilometres outside Rabat, on the Tangier-Casablanca highway, is Technopolis, an incubator campus for start-up companies.

Inside the glass and concrete buildings just alongside the International University of Rabat, congregate 50 fledgling industries, attracted by low rents, good connectivity, the availability of finance to scale up their activities, and mentoring. Another 260 IT start-ups cluster 90kms way at the Casablanca Technopark, opened in 2001. A third similar park, in Tangier, opened in 2015.

While innovation is essential and rewarding, Morocco shows that application is at least as important, for more jobs, as better governance. Job creation is not primarily about new technology, but about policy and people.

The Aéropole aviation free zone 30kms outside Casablanca is home to 100 companies, including subcontractors Matis, Aircelle, Snecma, Sagem and Teuchos to big names such as Boeing, Bombardier and Airbus, employing 11,500, and turning over $1-billion, or 5% of Moroccan exports.

As Morocco aims to get a bigger manufacturing slice of the 35,000 aircraft to be constructed worldwide in the next two decades, the sector is targeting the doubling of its employment and output by 2020, in part by increasing the proportion of locally-produced components in its assemblies to 35%.

Source: Daily Maverick, 11/08/2016

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF RABAT: A NEW TEACHING MODEL IN MOROCCO Since its foundation, the International University of Rabat (IUR) has developed into

an increasingly attractive model of innovative teaching, renowned for its professionalism and rigour both nationally and internationally.

Rabat Technopolis, the City of Technology

The IUR has broken new ground by creating the 1st Public-Private Partnership in the field of higher education and scientific research in Morocco and the MENA region, according to the OECD Observer.

Rabat Technopolis, the City of Technology, is the realisation of the new business activity of Rabat - Salé in the technology sector.

Within this model, Morocco and its institutional partners have undertaken to create a new model of university teaching aiming to offer courses which meet the demands of the employment market in line with the strategic guidelines of the various sectoral plans.

The IUR centres of learning were defined by the needs expressed in the employment market. The IUR has therefore adopted an innovative positioning by electing to train its students in areas consistent with the sectoral plans implemented by Morocco such as Transport Engineering, Energy and Offshoring.

The university’s main departments have formed academic partnerships with leading universities in France and the USA. n The department of Business, Management, Finance and Actuarial Science operates in academic partnership with the ESC at Rennes and ISFA at Lyons. n The Rabat Political Sciences department in partnership with IEP at Grenoble; n The Electronics, Logistics, Informatics and Telecommunications department in partnership with the University of Nantes; n The Energy Department in partnership with the University of Lorraine; n The Transport Engineering department in partnership with Georgiatech, Atlanta, USA; n The Architecture department in partnership with the University of Paris East and the College of Architecture at Nancy.

IUR has also signed a range of research contracts with prominent industrial partners in France, the USA and Korea.

The institution has become established as a leading Moroccan university in terms of registered patents with activities conducted

by IUR researchers and students resulting in many patents for new inventions.

Université Internationale de Rabat International University of Rabat (IUR) Technopolis Rabat-Shore Rocade Rabat-Salé Tel: +212 (0)5 30 10 30 00 Email: contact@uir.ac.ma http://www.uir.ac.ma/

As part of the government’s Emergence programme for sectoral development, the mission of the technology parks is guided by the aim to strengthen the role of Morocco in the activities of software development, infrastructure management, the back office banking and insurance services, and management of customer relations.

The design of the park is in line with the best international standards making it a preferred destination for investment and projects related to the new technology sectors.

The park is located 5km from the international airport of Rabat - Salé, offering daily connections to Europe and only 60 minutes from Casablanca International Airport, with over 300 daily connections to Europe, the USA and the Middle East.

In addition, its unique geographical location at the intersection of three major highways, the site is within 2 hours of Tangier, Casablanca and Fez and facilitates broad access to skilled and qualified human resources.

To increase the competitiveness of companies wishing to set up in the park, Technopolis offers a range of incentives on rates and operating costs, such as telecoms which are 30% cheaper than the normal market rate.

Morocco’s technology parks are intended to host large and small international and Moroccan companies seeking an enabling environment with a great deal of competitive operating costs.

The parks are managed by MedZ Sourcing, is a subsidiary of MEDZ, a 100% daughter company of CDG, specialised in the design, promotion, and management of technology parks in Morocco.

MedZ Sourcing Tel: + 212 (0) 522 777 555 Email: contact@medz-sourcing.com Website: www.medz-sourcing.com

ARAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LAW 25

TUNISIA APPROVES AGREEMENT WITH EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION The House of People’s Representatives (HPR) in Tunis has passed a draft law approving the agreement between Tunisia and the European Patent Organisation (EPO).

Minister of Industry Zakaria Hamad estimated that the agreement would lead to an increase in the number of patents in Tunisia from 589 now to 2,500 in 2020 through the facilitation of registration procedures. The Minister noted that the European office would only be responsible for control while the registration of patents will be made in Tunisia.

(INNORPI) by increasing the institute’s revenues from 200,000 dinars now to at least 1 million dinars in 2020.

The agreement aims to establish an efficient system for the accreditation of invention patents likely to lend more credibility and efficiency to patents granted by the INNORPI. Source: TAP, February 2016

The agreement is expected to generate additional resources to the National Institute of Standardisation and Industrial Property

SAUDI ARABIA TRADEMARK RENEWAL GOING ONLINE With immediate effect, applications for trademark renewal will now only be filed online. This move to e-filing comes also with a tenfold increase in publication fees.

There have also been a number of unconfirmed reports that recordal applications will also be filed online, Saba IP says.

Although not implemented yet, this move to e-filing is also expected to be coupled with an increase in publication fees related to the recordal of assignments, licenses and mergers.

“We do not foresee a change in the fees for the recordal of change of name and address.

By way of background, the move to e-filing of trademark registrations back in late 2013 also saw a significant increase in publication fees,” according to Saba IP. Source: SABA IT Bulletin, April 2016

MOROCCO- WIPO PARTNERSHIP Morocco and the World Organisation of Intellectual Property (WIPO) signed in Rabat a partnership agreement aimed at developing services for inventors with a view to helping them in their drive to protect international patents. Under the agreement, signed by the Director General of WIPO, Francis Gurry and the Director General of OMPIC, Adil El Malki, in the presence of the Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade, Mohamed Abbou, both parties agreed to jointly combat counterfeiting.

WIPO and OMPIC have decided to cooperate under the terms of the agreement in the development of the Moroccan institutional framework to strengthen the fight against counterfeiting and raise the operational level of public institutions and national economic operators together with the enhancement of its organizational capacity.

This cooperation accord also intends to give a fillip to investment from emerging countries like India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand.

WIPO is a specialised agency of the United Nations, whose mission is to develop a balanced and accessible international Intellectual Property system that rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development.

Source: Star Africa, May 2016

KUWAIT JOINS PATENT COOPERATION TREATY Kuwait became the 149th member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on June 9, 2016, and the sixth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state to accede to the treaty.

The PCT is expected to enter into force on September 9, 2016. With Kuwait’s accession, all GCC countries are now members of the PCT, thus enabling the GCC Patent Office to accede to the PCT itself in the future.

This update comes after the Kuwaiti Patent Office stopped accepting new patent applications as of April 4, 2016 and is advising parties interested in seeking patent protection in Kuwait to utilise the GCC Patent Office.

As a reminder, a GCC patent application automatically designates all six GCC member countries, and no further validation is required upon being granted.

It is not yet possible to designate the GCC in PCT international applications or to enter the national (regional) stage via the GCC Patent Office for a PCT international application.

Source: SABA IP Bulletin, July 20

25

ARAB BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.abcc.org.uk

FOREIGN OFFICE SERVICE

‫قطاع التعليم‪:‬‬ ‫يحتاج العراق للكثير من املؤسسات التعليمية السيما في مجال التدريب املنهي‬ ‫واملختبرات العلمية لتلبية الطلب املتزايد في كل أنحاء العراق نتيجة النمو‬ ‫السكاني والزيادة امللحوظة بأعداد فئة الشباب‪ .‬الواقع الذي من شأنه‬ ‫ً‬ ‫لوحده أن يوفر للمستثمرين فرصا كبيرة‪ ،‬ال مثيل لها في أي منطقة من‬ ‫الشرق األوسط‪.‬‬

‫خاتمة‪:‬‬ ‫اختتم سعادة سفير جمهورية العراق السيد التميمي ورقة عمله‬ ‫بالتأكيد على أن العراق بحاجة كبيرة لتحفيز اقتصاده السيما في ظل‬ ‫التحديات التي تواجهه‪ ،‬وإن العراق في حاجة الستقطاب االستثمارات‬ ‫ً‬ ‫األجنبية في مختلف القطاعات‪ ،‬وإن االستثمار جزءا من اإلصالحات التي‬ ‫هي بالفعل قيد التنفيذ من قبل الحكومة العراقية‪ .‬وتعمل الحكومة‬ ‫العراقية باتجاه مكافحة الفساد وتنفيذ اإلصالحات – بما في ذلك وعلى‬ ‫سبيل املثال إعادة هيكلة البنوك‪ ،‬وتنويع االقتصاد وتنمية القطاع‬ ‫ً‬ ‫الخاص – مشيرا إلى الخطوات الهامة التي يتم أتخاذها بالفعل ويجري‬ ‫تنفيذها في هذا االتجاه‪.‬‬ ‫وأشار سعادته إلى أن العراق بحاجة إلى جهود األصدقاء وإلى الخبرات‬ ‫التقنية والعلمية في كل املجاالت لألخذ به إلى مستوى اقتصادي‬ ‫واجتماعي أفضل‪ ،‬ومساعدته في تخطي األزمة‪.‬‬

‫قطاع السياحة‪:‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫يعتبر قطاع السياحة في العراق واحدا من القطاعات الواعدة لالقتصاد‬ ‫ً‬ ‫العراقي وواحدا من املرتكزات املستقبلية للعراق لضخامته وأهميته الكبيرة‬ ‫ً‬ ‫باعتبار العراق واحدا من البلدان الغنية بتاريخه وآثاره السياحية بشقيها‬ ‫السياحة الثقافية والسياحة الدينية‪ .‬وبشكل عام يعتبر قطاع السياحة‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫عامال هاما في التنمية االقتصادية واالجتماعية في البلدان املختلفة‪ .‬وهو‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫يمثل موردا رئيسيا للدخل القومي‪ ،‬فضال عن فرص العمل من خالل تنفيذ‬ ‫املشاريع واألنشطة في هذا القطاع‪ .‬وتلتزم الحكومة لوضع خطط الستثمار وأكد سعادته بأن العراق يتطلع إلى تحسين مستوى امليزان التجاري بين‬ ‫ً‬ ‫األصول الثقافية والسياحية في البالد‪.‬‬ ‫العراق واململكة املتحدة لتصل إلى مليارات الدوالرات بدال من املاليين‪،‬‬ ‫حيث تجاوزت قيمة صادرات اململكة املتحدة إلى العراق في عام ‪2015‬‬ ‫قيمة ‪ 265‬مليون جنيه إسترليني‪ ،‬بينما بلغت الواردات البريطانية من‬ ‫القطاع الزراعي‪:‬‬ ‫يعتبر هذا القطاع من أهم قطاعات االقتصاد العراقي بعد النفط والغاز‪ ،‬العراق ما قيمته ‪ 54‬مليون جنيه إسترليني‪ ،‬وبلغ حجم التبادل التجاري‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً ً‬ ‫ويعتبر قطاع الزراعة في العراق واعدا جدا في مجال االستثمار نظرا للفرص اإلجمالي لعام ‪ 2015‬نحو ‪ 318‬مليون جنيه إسترليني‪.‬‬ ‫الكبيرة التي يقدمها للمستثمرين‪ .‬وفي ضوء توافر عناصر النجاح لالستثمار‬ ‫في هذا القطاع من توافر عناصره املهمة كاألرض واملياه واأليدي العاملة وكانت صادرات اململكة املتحدة إلى العراق للربع األول من عام ‪ 2016‬قد‬ ‫ً‬ ‫املحلية فإن هذا القطاع يعرض التنوع االقتصادي ويمثل ركنا لألمن وصلت إلى ‪ 50.59‬مليون جنيه إسترليني‪ ،‬وبلغت واردات اململكة املتحدة‬ ‫الغذائي في العراق وفي املنطقة‪ ،‬وإن االستثمارات في القطاع الزراعي في من العراق لنفس الفترة ‪ 5.36‬مليون جنيه إسترليني‪ ،‬األمر الذي يجعل‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫العراق يعتبر ناجحا ومربحا في جميع أنواعه‪.‬‬ ‫من التبادل التجاري اإلجمالي للربع األول من عام ‪ 2016‬بقيمة ‪55.96‬‬ ‫مليون جنيه إسترليني‪.‬‬ ‫وتصدرت القائمة في صادرات اململكة املتحدة للعراق املكائن اآلالت‬ ‫واملعدات الكهربائية واألجهزة واملركبات واألدوات الطبية والجراحية‪ ،‬في‬ ‫حين أن أهم السلع املستوردة من العراق إلى اململكة املتحدة يتصدرها‬ ‫الوقود املعدني والزيوت املعدنية‪.‬‬ ‫وفي الختام أكد سعادة سفير جمهورية العراق السيد صالح حسن‬ ‫التيميمي بأنة على ثقة من أن غرفة التجارة العربية البريطانية يمكن أن‬ ‫ً‬ ‫تلعب دورا هاما في تشجيع ودعوة رجال األعمال البريطانيين‬ ‫واملستثمرين والشركات البريطانية إلى السوق العراقية‪ ،‬الذين من‬ ‫خاللهم يمكن أن تتعزز العالقة االقتصادية بين العراق وبريطانيا‪ .‬وأكد‬ ‫سعادته على وجود فرص استثمارية كبيرة ومربحة في العراق في مختلف‬ ‫املجاالت والقطاعات‪ ،‬وعلى املستثمرين اإلقدام إلى العراق واإلطالع‬ ‫بأنقسهم على هذه الفرص واالستفادة من قانون االستثمار العراقي رقم‬ ‫(‪ )13‬لسنة ‪.2006‬‬

‫سعادة الدكتور صالح التميمي وإلى جانبه من اليمين السيد حسين عناد حسين نائب القنصل التجاري العراقي في لندن وأحد الضيوف‬

‫ويركز قانون رقم ‪ 22‬لسنة ‪( 1997‬في شأن الشركات اململوكة للدولة) على‬ ‫إعادة تأهيل هذه املصانع والتي تعمل على توظف رؤوس األموال والخبرات‬ ‫الخاصة‪ ،‬ويسمح هذا القانون للشركات اململوكة للدولة إلبرام اتفاقات مع‬ ‫املستثمرين األجانب‪ .‬ويسمح هذا القانون بتغطية املستثمرين في هذا املجال‬ ‫من خالل توفير الحوافز واالمتيازات التي يقدمها قانون االستثمار رقم ‪13‬‬ ‫لسنة ‪ ،2006‬الذي يشجع على االستثمار ويوفر الحماية لالستثمارات‬ ‫األجنبية‪.‬‬ ‫وقد صلت مساهمة هذا القطاع في الناتج املحلي اإلجمالي في األسعار الثابتة‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫‪ %3.1‬للعام ‪ .2014‬وأطلقت وزارة الصناعة واملعادن برنامجا طموحا في عام‬ ‫‪ 2005‬ملنح تراخيص إلقامة مشاريع مشتركة واتفاقات تقاسم اإلنتاج‪ ،‬لغرض‬ ‫تشجيع االستثمار في هذا القطاع‪.‬‬ ‫وفي أطار مفهوم تشجيع االستثمار‪ ،‬وحيث يتوجب على املستثمر القيام‬ ‫بجميع عمليات إعادة التأهيل وإدارة وتشغيل محطة‪ ،‬تقوم الوزارة مقابل‬ ‫ذلك بتقديم الحوافز املتمثلة في منح املستثمر حصة من اإلنتاج‪ ،‬في غضون‬ ‫مدة محددة من ‪ 20-15‬سنة‪ ،‬ويكون املستثمر ّ‬ ‫حر في أن إعادة تأهيل املصنع‬ ‫أما من خالل إعادة تكييف اآلالت واملعدات املوجودة أو استبدالها بأجهزة‬ ‫جديدة‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫وفي جميع الحاالت‪ ،‬ستكون وزارة الصناعة واملعادن شريكا فاعال وعلى‬ ‫استعداد لتقديم املستثمر جميع البيانات املتاحة‪ ،‬باإلضافة إلى املساعدة في‬ ‫إصدار تأشيرات الدخول الالزمة للفرق الفنية املعنية‪.‬‬

‫ّ‬ ‫للحد من حجم‬ ‫وتشمل التطورات في هذا القطاع تقييم االقتراحات‬ ‫اإلستيراد من الخارج‪ ،‬وذلك لتعزيز املنتجات املحلية وضمان مجموعة‬ ‫من اإلصالحات الشاملة التي تضمن حماية فوائد املستثمرين وتساعد‬ ‫على الحفاظ على إطار لالستثمار املستدام في الشركات اململوكة للدولة‪.‬‬ ‫وإنه من املتوقع أن تصدر الوزارة حزمة جديدة من اإلصالحات لغاية‬ ‫تأهيل هذا القطاع‪ .‬وسوف لن تقتصر تأثيرات هذه اإلصالحات فقط‬ ‫على هذا القطاع بل سوف تؤدي إلى إنتاج تغييرات جديدة وتعمل على‬ ‫إنفاذ القوانين املتاحة األخرى والتي من شأنها خدمة املستثمر‪.‬‬ ‫وقام العراق في السنوات القليلة املاضية على تحديث وتطوير بعض‬ ‫املؤسسات للصناعات الخفيفة والثقيلة من ضمنها صناعة السجاد‬ ‫وصناعة تجميع السيارات وصناعة األدوية وصناعة البتروكيماويات‬ ‫واألسمدة وغيرها‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ويأمل العراق أن تتمكن الشركات اململوكة للدولة أن تلعب دورا مهما في‬ ‫تزويد الصناعات في كل من القطاع العام والخاص باملنتجات والخدمات‬ ‫الالزمة‪ ،‬وذلك في ضوء تطبيق سلسلة من اإلصالحات الفنية واإلدارية‬ ‫وتشجيع االتجاهات االستثمارية لتحسين جودة األداء واإلنتاج في هذا‬ ‫القطاع‪.‬‬

‫وتعاني شبكة الكهرباء الوطنية من مشاكل كبير وهي ال تلبي احتياجات في العراق‪ ،‬تتولى وزارة الصحة املسؤولية عن تحديث وتطوير املستوى‬ ‫سكان العراق واحتياجاتهم‪ ،‬مما يضطر األسر العراقية إلى دفع مبالغ كبيرة الصحي في البلد ضمن منظومة واسعة من املستشفيات والعيادات الطبية‬ ‫ً‬ ‫من املال لتزويدها الكهرباء من خالل مولدات الطاقة الكهربائية من املختلفة‪ .‬هذا باإلضافة إلى القطاع الصحي الخاص ممثال في املستشفيات‬ ‫الخاصة والعيادات الطبية الخاصة‪.‬‬ ‫القطاع الخاص‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫وزارة الكهراء تدرك جيدا أن النقص الحالي في الكهرباء هو العقبة‬ ‫الرئيسية أمام االستثمارات في كافة القطاعات ألنه أمر ضروري لتنويع املؤشرات الصحية في العراق تعكس الوضع الراهن والتطور الحالي في هذا‬ ‫االقتصاد في البالد‪ .‬ويشارك هذا القطاع بنسبة ‪ %2.7‬من اإلنتاج املحلي القطاع‪:‬‬ ‫اإلجمالي بأسعار ثابتة للعام ‪.2014‬‬ ‫* عدد املستشفيات في العراق (العام والخاص) حتى عام ‪ :2013‬نحو ‪360‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫مستشفى و ‪ 1,609‬مركزا للرعاية الصحية (باستثناء إقليم كردستان)‪.‬‬ ‫عدد األطباء في املستشفيات واملراكز الطبية (في القطاعين العام والخاص)‬ ‫قطاع اإلتصاالت‪:‬‬ ‫* الهواتف النقالة‪ :‬باإلضافة إلى رخص الهاتف املحمول الوطنية الثالث‪ ،‬في عام ‪ :2011‬بلغ نحو ‪ 20,480‬طبيب من كال الجنسين مقارنة بـ ‪19,738‬‬ ‫تعتزم وزارة االتصاالت على إصدار رخصة رابعة لفتح الباب لجميع طبيب في عام ‪( 2010‬باستثناء إقليم كردستان)‪.‬‬ ‫الشركات التي تتخصص الشركات في خدمات الهاتف املحمول‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫* نظام اإلنترنت‪ :‬نظرا للتطورات األخيرة في مجال تحديث خدمات قطاع اإلسكان والبنية التحتية‪:‬‬ ‫االتصاالت‪ ،‬والعراق بحاجة إلى تحسين البنية التحتية لإلنترنت في كل من الناحية االقتصادية‪ ،‬يعتبر قطاع السكن من القطاعات الحيوية‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أنحاء العراق‪ .‬والعراق يفتح أبوابه أمام املستثمرين ويهيأ فرصة ال مثيل للغاية نظرا للدور املهم الذي يلعبه في تكوين رأس املال الثابت‪ ،‬وتوليد‬ ‫لها في منطقة الشرق األوسط إلقامة مشاريع توفر خدمات اإلنترنت‪.‬‬ ‫الدخل وخلق فرص عمل‪.‬‬ ‫* خطوط الهواتف الثابتة واأللياف البصرية‪ :‬يطرح العراق فرص ضخمة وتعمل الحكومة العراقية من خالل تشجيع وتمكين املستثمرين األجانب‬ ‫لالستثمار في هذا املجال من قطاع اإلتصاالت ومجال إصالح وتوسيع واملحليين‪ ،‬للوصول إلى تحقيق نتائج ملموسة في إنتاج اآلالف من‬ ‫شبكة خطوط الهواتف الحالية‪ ،‬وتوريد وإنشاء محطات للهاتف جديدة‪ ،‬الوحدات السكنية الجديدة‪ ،‬وتشجيع املستثمرين لالستثمار في هذا‬ ‫ً‬ ‫فضال عن حاجته إلدخال تحسينات كبيرة في شبكات األلياف البصرية‪.‬‬ ‫القطاع طريق توفير األراض ي الصالحة ألغراض إنشاء وحدات السكن‪.‬‬ ‫* حلقات محلية السلكية ثابتة‪ :‬يطرح العراق فرص استثمارية في هذا وقد أعلنت الهيئة الوطنية لالستثمار في املشروع القومي لإلسكان لبناء ‪1‬‬ ‫املجال ويقدم مزايا كبيرة من خالل عطاءات ‪ WLL‬الذي يوفر القدرة على مليون وحدة سكنية في جميع محافظات العراق‪ .‬وقد بدأ العمل في هذه‬ ‫توفير الخدمات الالسلكية دون الحاجة لبناء شبكة واسعة‪.‬‬ ‫الخطة بالفعل وتنفيذ املرحلة األولى من هذا املشروع الضخم‪ ،‬من خالل‬ ‫بناء ‪ 100‬ألف وحدة سكنية في بغداد‪ ،‬مشروع مدينة بسماية لإلسكان‬ ‫(‪ )Bismaiya‬والذي تنفذه شركة هانوا الكورية الجنوبية (‪)Hanawah‬‬ ‫قطاع الصحة والرعاية الصحية‪:‬‬ ‫خالل عقدي السبعينات والثمانينات من القرن املاض ي‪ ،‬كان العراق للهندسة والبناء‪ .‬وهذه الوحدات ‪ 100‬ألف وحدة سكنية هي جزء أول من‬ ‫ً‬ ‫واحدا من الدول الرائدة في مجال الرعاية الصحية في منطقة الشرق إجمالي الحصص السكنية في بغداد والتي تبلغ ‪ 224‬ألف وحدة سكنية‪.‬‬ ‫األوسط وشمال أفريقيا‪ .‬إال أن عقود من الحروب والحصار االقتصادي‬ ‫الجائر على العراق تدهور قطاع الصحة بشكل ملحوظ‪ .‬واليوم‪ ،‬تعمل قطاع الصناعة والتعدين‪:‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫الحكومة العراقية تعمل على تغيير نظام الرعاية الصحية ورفع كفائته من يعتبر القطاع الصناعي في العراق واحدا من أهم مرتكزات االقتصاد‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أجل تقديم أفضل للمواطنيين العراقيين‪ ،‬والعراق يطرح فرصا استمثارية الحديث السيما غير النفطي‪ .‬وتقدم وزارة الصناعة واملعادن في العراق‬ ‫ً‬ ‫هائلة في قطاع الصحة ويدعوا املستثمرين األجانب واملحليين لإلطالع على دعوات مشجعة لالستثمار األجنبي في هذا القطاع وفقا لقانون االستثمار‬ ‫هذه الفرص السيما في مشاريع البنية التحتية للقطاع والتدريب الطبي لسنة ‪ 2006‬وتعديالته‪.‬‬ ‫يدار هذا القطاع من قبل وزارة الصناعة واملعادن والشركات اململوكة‬ ‫والتعليم الصحي‪.‬‬ ‫وتلتزم الحكومة إلعادة بناء وتطوير نظام الرعاية الصحية في العراق للدولة (شركات القطاع العام)‪ ،‬ويسعى العراق لتطوير الشركات اململوكة‬ ‫واألخذ به ملستوى أرقى من السابق‪ ،‬وذلك من خالل زيادة ميزانية الرعاية للدولة بالتعاون مع املستعدين لالستثمار من املستثمرين األجانب‬ ‫الصحية ومتعلقاته‪ .‬ويمتلك العراق نحو ‪ 360‬مستشفى وأكثر من ‪ 1.609‬واملحليين وذلك من أجل رفع كفاءة القطاع‪ .‬وتحدد وزارة الصناعة‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫من عيادات الرعاية الصحية في مختلف أنحاء البالد‪ ،‬وهناك أيضا واملعادن عددا من املشاريع التي من خاللها تهدف إلى جذب االستثمارات‬ ‫األجنبية‪.‬‬ ‫عشرات اآلالف من العيادات الطبية الخاصة‪.‬‬ ‫ويعترف العراق والحكومة العراقية بأهمية املؤشرات الصحية الكبيرة‬ ‫للنمو وصورة ملستوى املعيشة وبناء القدرات البشرية‪ .‬وهي محل تقدير‬ ‫على نطاق واسع في العراق حيث تعتبر الحالة الصحية للشخص في أي بلد‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫عامال اساسيا في النمو االقتصادي ألي بلد‪.‬‬

‫سعادة الدكتور صالح التميمي يتحدث إلى الضيوف‬

‫وعلى الرغم من املشاكل األمنية واملالية‪ ،‬فقد حقق العراق نمو في إنتاجه‬ ‫من النفط الخام بشكل كبير خالل السنوات الخمس املاضية‪ ،‬لتصل إلى‬ ‫ً‬ ‫مستوى قياس ي ‪ 4.43‬مليون برميل يوميا في يناير ‪ .2016‬وانخفض هذا إلى‬ ‫ً‬ ‫‪ 4.43‬مليون برميل يوميا في شهر مايو ‪.2016‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أما في مجال إنتاج الغاز فإن والعراق غني جدا أيضا بالغاز الطبيعي‪ ،‬حيث‬ ‫يمتلك أكثر من ‪ 98‬تريليون قدم مكعب (‪ )TCF‬في االحتياطيات املؤكدة في‬ ‫العراق‪ ،‬ويقدر أن العراق يمتلك أكثر من ‪ 31‬تريليون قدم مكعب من‬ ‫احتياطيات محتملة من الغاز الطبيعي‪.‬‬ ‫خطوط تصدير النفط والغاز وأنابيب النقل والتوزيع‪:‬‬ ‫في العراق تمتد شبكة من خطوط األنابيب واسعة تبلغ ‪ 4350‬ميل‪ .‬وهناك‬ ‫ثالثة خطوط أنابيب رئيسية تربط العراق مع اململكة العربية السعودية‬ ‫وتركيا وسوريا‪ .‬باإلضافة إلى ذلك‪ ،‬هناك الخط الرابع املسمى ‪ -‬الخط‬ ‫اإلستراتيجي ‪ -‬الذي يبدأ من البصرة في الجنوب ويمتد إلى كركوك في‬ ‫الشمال‪ .‬ويتم تصدير ثالثة أرباع اإلنتاج اليومي من ميناء البصرة النفطي‬ ‫في الجنوب عبر هذا الخط‪ ،‬بينما يتم تصدير الباقي عبر خط أنبوب‬ ‫الشمال‪ ،‬من كركوك إلى ميناء جيهان في تركيا‪.‬‬ ‫اإلنتاج والتصدير والتوزيع‪:‬‬ ‫رغم كل التحديات‪ ،‬يقوم العراق في الوقت الحاضر بتحديث وتطوير بنيته‬ ‫التحتية‪ ،‬ويتجه نحو توسيع عملياته اإلنتاجية في العديد من حقول‬ ‫النفط‪ .‬كما ويعمل العراق على جذب االستثمارات فيما يتعلق باإلنتاج‬ ‫والتوزيع والتصدير‪ ،‬والتي من شأنها ستساعد على جذب االستثمارات‬

‫لبعض من أهم مشاريع البنية التحتية مثل خطوط أنابيب تصدير ‪-‬‬ ‫وخاصة في ميناء البصرة وخطوط األنابيب من محافظة كركوك إلى ميناء‬ ‫جيهان التركي‪.‬‬ ‫وهناك مجموعة واسعة من االحتياجات في جنوب العراق والتي تشمل‬ ‫إنشاء خط أنابيب جديد لربط املوارد املستخرجة من آبار النفط إلى‬ ‫مصافي التكرير‪ ،‬وإنشاء مرافق التخزين باإلضافة إلى توسيع املوانئ‪.‬‬ ‫وقد أجريت العديد من الدراسات لتطوير البنية التحتية الالزمة التي من‬ ‫شأنها تمكين العراق من الحصول على مكانته باعتباره مصدر للغاز‬ ‫الطبيعي‪ .‬وهذا يتطلب بناء بنية أساسية ومتطورة في قطاع الغاز‪ ،‬وذلك‬ ‫لتمكين العراق لتوريد أنابيب الغاز املتجه إلى تركيا‪ ،‬وبالتالي تزويد‬ ‫األسواق األوروبية الكبرى بهذه املادة املهمة‪.‬‬ ‫قطاع الكهرباء‪:‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫يقدم قطاع الكهرباء في العراق عددا من الفرص االستثمارية الجذابة‬ ‫للمستثمرين املحليين واألجانب على حد سواء‪ .‬الحكومة لديها خطط‬ ‫طموحة تهدف إلى رفع قدرة القطاع من خالل تحفيز املستثمرين في‬ ‫مجاالت بناء وتشغيل وتوريد معدات إنتاج الطاقة الكهربائية‪ .‬وسعت‬ ‫وزارة الكهرباء لتفعيل دور القطاع الخاص في العديد من املجاالت مثل‪:‬‬ ‫التمويل‪ ،‬والبناء السريع واملساهمة في رفع قدرة توليد إضافية لتغطية‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫حاجة البالد‪ .‬وتنامى الطلب بشكل كبير جدا أساسا من قبل السكان‬ ‫والتوسع في الحاجة للطاقة الكهربائية في السنوات األخيرة‪.‬‬

‫السكان والقوى العاملة (‪:)Population and Manpower‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫* حافظ العراق على النمو السكاني بنسبة ‪ %2.6‬سنويا‪ ،‬وفقا‬ ‫لإلحصاءات املتاحة حتى عام ‪.2014‬‬ ‫* انخفضت نسبة الفئة العمرية "تحت ‪ 15‬عام" من نسبة‬ ‫‪ %41‬في عام ‪ 2009‬إلى نسبة ‪ %40‬في عام ‪ 2012‬في حين‬ ‫ارتفعت الفئة العمرية ما بين "‪ "64-15‬من نسبة ‪ %56‬في عام‬ ‫‪ 2009‬إلى نسبة ‪ %56.9‬في عام ‪ .2012‬وهذا يشير إلى زيادة في‬ ‫الفئة العمرية التي تعتبر "قوة دفع" لالقتصاد‪.‬‬ ‫* ارتفعت نسبة الشباب في الفئة العمرية ما بين "‪ "24-15‬من‬ ‫نسبة ‪ %20‬في عام ‪ 2009‬إلى نسبة ‪ %20.2‬في عام ‪ .2013‬وهذا‬ ‫ما يستدعي سياسات إستراتيجية تهدف إلى تعزيز قطاع التعليم‬ ‫وتوفير فرص العمل للشباب‪.‬‬ ‫* زيادة في نسبة السكان في املناطق الحضرية لتصل إلى نسبة‬ ‫‪ ،%69‬في حين أن نسبة السكان في القرى واألرياف ارتفعت إلى‬ ‫‪ %31‬عام ‪.2014‬‬ ‫القطاعات االقتصادية الرئيسية لالستثمار في العراق‬ ‫ قطاع النفط والغاز‬‫ قطاع البناء واإلسكان‬‫ مشاريع البنية التحتية بكافة أنواعها‬‫ النقل والسكك الحديدية‬‫ الصحة والرعاية‬‫ الصناعة‬‫ الزراعة وإصالح األراض ي‬‫ قطاع اإلتصاالت‬‫ التعليم والتدريب‬‫‪ -‬السياحة‬

‫قطاع النفط والغاز‪:‬‬ ‫أن أهمية قطاع النفط في العراق ال يقتصر فقط على دوره في تطوير‬ ‫العراق‪ ،‬ولكن أهميته تمتد إلى الدور الذي يلعبه في سوق النفط الدولية‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫فالعراق لديه احتياطي هائل من النفط والغاز والذي يجعل منه واحدا‬ ‫من الدول األكثر أهمية في الطلب على الطاقة في سوق النفط العاملية‪.‬‬ ‫ويسعى العراق بنشاط إلى االستثمار في قطاع النفط والغاز واالستفادة من‬ ‫الخبرات العاملية للمساعدة في تطوير قطاعي النفط والغاز‪ .‬والعراق يمتلك‬ ‫أكثر من ‪ 144‬مليار برميل من االحتياطيات الثابتة في العراق‪ ،‬التي‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫اكتشفت في ‪ 71‬حقال وقد تم تطوير ‪ 27‬حقال منها‪ .‬وتتركز أكثر من ‪ %75‬من‬ ‫االحتياطيات الثابتة في جنوب شرق البالد‪ ،‬بالقرب من الحدود العراقية‬ ‫مع الكويت وإيران‪ .‬ويقع نحو ‪ %20‬من االحتياطي اإلضافي في الجزء‬ ‫الشمالي من البالد قرب كركوك‪.‬‬ ‫وعلى الرغم من التحديات الكبيرة التي يواجهها العراق‪ ،‬فإن شركات‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫النفط الدولية املعروفة تعتبر العراق سوقا رئيسيا للطاقة في العالم‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ونظرا إلمكانات العراق وقدرته اإلنتاجية العالية إضافة إلى انخفاض‬ ‫تكاليف التشغيل فإن قطاع النفط والغاز في العراق فإن هذا القطاع‬

‫اليزال يمتلك الكثير من الفرص السميا في صناعة النفط العراقية‪ ،‬ليس‬ ‫أقلها في مجال الصناعات البتروكيماوية‪ ،‬حيث تعمل كل في هذا القطاع‬ ‫على سبيل املثال شركة شل العاملية ‪ ، Shall-‬والتي قد وقعت في كانون‬ ‫ً‬ ‫الثاني (يناير) عام ‪ ،2015‬اتفاقا لبناء واحد من أكبر مصانع‬ ‫البتروكيماويات في منطقة الشرق األوسط‪ ،‬في العراق‪ .‬كما هو الحال مع‬ ‫شركة بريتيش بتروليوم ‪ ،BP -‬وشركات بريطانية مختصة في مجال‬ ‫الهندسة والبناء مثل شركة بتروفاك ‪ Pertofac -‬وشركة أميك ويلير ‪-‬‬ ‫‪ ، Amec Foster Wheeler‬املختصة في تطوير البنية التحتية لقطاع‬ ‫النفط والغاز ورفع إمكانات العراق اإلنتاجية‪.‬‬ ‫وقال سعادة السفير التميمي‪ :‬أتوقع وآمل أن يستمر العراق باملسار‬ ‫الصحيح‪ ،‬كما يتحرك العراق نحو تحقيق إمكانيته الكامنة في إنتاج ‪6‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ماليين برميل يوميا بحلول عام ‪ .2022‬وهذا يأتي بالترتيب مع منظمة‬ ‫أوبك‪ ،‬مع األخذ بعين االعتبار أن العراق لم يتمكن من إنتاج حصته من‬ ‫النفط لسنوات عديدة بسبب الحصار والحروب‪ ،‬واليوم يحق للعراق‬ ‫زيادة إنتاجه وصادراته من النفط‪ ،‬خاصة في ظل الضغوط الحالية على‬ ‫امليزانية الوطنية‪.‬‬

‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫وهذا مقتطفا موجزا ملا تطرقت له كلمة السفير التميمي في االجتماع‪.‬‬ ‫السيدات والسادة الكرام‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫العراق لديه العديد من العوامل التي تجعله موطنا جاذبا لالستثمارات‬ ‫ورؤس األموال األجنبية‪ .‬فإضافة إلى غنى العراق باملوارد الطبيعية مثل‬ ‫النفط والغاز وكثير من املعادن كالكبريت والفوسفات والنحاس وغيرها‪،‬‬ ‫فإن العراق يمتلك ثروات هائلة من األراض ي الزراعية واملوارد البشرية‪،‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫سوقا بكرًا نظرًا ملا ّ‬ ‫تعرض له العراق من‬ ‫كما أن سوق العراق الزالت‬ ‫سنوات طويلة من اإلجحاف بحقه من خالل الحروب والغزوات‬ ‫ً‬ ‫والحصار الجائر‪ .‬أن للعراق سوقا هائلة بإمكاناتها وموقعها الجغراقي‬ ‫سعادة سفير العراق الدكتور صالح حسين علي التميمي‬ ‫وتوافر األيدي العاملة‪ ،‬وفي العراق فرص عظيمة لإلنتاج والتصدير‬ ‫من الرسوم املدفوعة على األثاث واملواد الالزمة ألغراض التحديث‬ ‫واالستيراد‪.‬‬ ‫والتجديد‪ ،‬مرة واحدة على األقل كل أربع سنوات؛‬ ‫كل عامل من هذه العوامل لوحدها يمثل قوة جاذبة لالستثمار‪ ،‬إضافة * تغطية الشراكات اإلستراتيجية مع مشاريع القطاع العام بمزايا قانون‬ ‫إلى تنوع القطاعات االقتصادية التي تحتاج لالستثمارات األجنبية على االستثمار؛‬ ‫اختالف أنواعها‪ .‬إال أن العراق ال يزال يواجه العديد من التحديات التي * توفير االستقالل املالي واإلداري لهيئات االستثمار في املحافظات العراقية‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫يسعى بكل جهده إلى تجاوزها‪ ،‬وهذا ما سيحدث حتما ألن العراق أمة‬ ‫قوية وله إمكانات هائلة كامنة وموارد طبيعية وبشرية غنية وشعب عريق‪ .‬إجراءات ترخيص االستثمار (‪:)Investment Licensing Procedures‬‬ ‫هيأت الهيئة الوطنية لالستثمار العراقية (‪ )NIC‬قسم النافذة الواحدة‬ ‫قانون االستثمار العراقي (رقم ‪ 13‬املعدل لسنة ‪ )2006‬وضع هذا القانون ملساعدة املستثمرين للحصول على تراخيص االستثمار من خالل اإلجراء‬ ‫بهدف جذب االستثمار األجنبي وتقديم التسهيالت للمستثمرين املحليين‪ .‬كما هو مبين أدناه‪-:‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ويعتبر هذا القانون جاذبا لالستثمار ذلك لحجم االمتيازات واإلعفاءات ‪ -1‬يقدم املستثمرون طلب إلى الهيئة الوطنية لالستثمار يعلن رغبته في‬ ‫التي يقدمها القانون للمستثمر األجنبي‪ ،‬ومنها التالية‪-:‬‬ ‫االستثمار‪ ،‬ويشمل ذلك قطاعات االستثمار املقترحة واملنطقة الجغرافية‪.‬‬ ‫* الحصول على األراض ي والعقارات لغرض إقامة مشاريع اإلسكان؛‬ ‫ويتم تقديم الطلب من خالل ملئ النموذج (‪ )standard form‬الذي توفره‬ ‫* تأجير األراض ي والعقارات من أجل إقامة مشاريع استثمارية وملدة تأجير الهيئة الوطنية لالستثمار مباشرة أو على املوقع اإللكتروني‬ ‫ً‬ ‫تصل إلى ‪ 50‬عاما قابلة للتجديد حسب حجم املشروع ونوعه؛‬ ‫(‪)www.investpromo.gov.iq‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫* استدانة وسحب رؤوس األموال املخصصة للمشروع‪ ،‬فضال عن ‪ -2‬يجب أن يتضمن طلب املستثمر األجنبي "شهادة حسن السمعة" صادرة‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أرباحها وإيراداتها وفقا ألحكام القانون املذكور ولوائح البنك املركزي من أحد البنوك املعتمدة؛‬ ‫العراقي؛‬ ‫‪ -3‬ويمكن أن يشمل طلب املستثمر قائمة باملشاريع املنجزة سواء داخل‬ ‫* تدوير األسهم والسندات في سوق األوراق املالية العراقية وحق اكتساب العراق أو خارجه؛‬ ‫العضوية في الشركات املساهمة؛‬ ‫‪ -4‬يجب على املستثمرين تقديم تفاصيل عن املشروع االستثماري‪ ،‬بما في‬ ‫* إنشاء املحافظ االستثمارية في األسهم والسندات؛‬ ‫ذلك دراسة الجدوى االقتصادية والفنية؛‬ ‫* تامين املشاريع مع أي شركة تأمين عراقية أو أجنبية؛‬ ‫‪ -5‬يجب على املستثمرين تقديم جدول زمني لتنفيذ املشروع‪.‬‬ ‫* فتح الحسابات بالعملة العراقية أو األجنبية أو كليهما في أي بنك داخل بمجرد استالم هذه املعلومات‪ ،‬تقوم الهيئة الوطنية لالستثمار (‪)NIC‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أو خارج العراق؛‬ ‫بإصدار رخصة استثمارية في فترة زمنية ال تتجاوز ‪ 45‬يوما من تاريخ تقديم‬ ‫ً‬ ‫* توظيف العمالة األجنبية في املشاريع جنبا إلى جنب مع العمالة املحلية؛ الطلب‪.‬‬ ‫* منح حق اإلقامة للمستثمرين والعمال األجانب في العراق وتسهيل الشراكات املحلية (‪ :)Local Partnerships‬يوص ى للعديد من املشاريع‬ ‫عملية الدخول والخروج من البالد؛‬ ‫االستثمارية بـ "إستراتيجية الدخول" وهي من خالل إيجاد شريك محلي من‬ ‫* إعفاء املشاريع االستثمارية من الضرائب ملدة عشر سنوات تبدأ من العراقيين املحليين‪ .‬مع استمرار تحسين العراق لقوانين االستثمار وتحقيق‬ ‫ً‬ ‫تاريخ التشغيل التجاري‪ ،‬وتوسيع نطاق هذا إلى خمسة عشر عاما عندما االستقرار في األنشطة السياسية واالقتصادية‪ ،‬فإن الشركاء املحليين بمثابة‬ ‫تتجاوز حصة املستثمر العراقي ‪.%50‬‬ ‫خيار جيد لتسريع العملية وتسهيل اإلجراءات القانونية والتنظيمية وملعرفة‬ ‫* إعفاء املوجودات املستوردة ملشاريع من الرسوم ملدة ثالث سنوات الشريك بخصائص البيئة العراقية‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫إبتداء من تاريخ منح الترخيص (املادة ‪ / 17‬أوال من قانون االستثمار رقم وفيما يتعلق بقانون امللكية الفكرية‪ ،‬فإن العراق ملتزما بحماية "العالمات‬ ‫ً‬ ‫‪)13‬؛‬ ‫التجارية‪ ،‬وبراءات االختراع‪ ،‬وحقوق التأليف والنشر" في البالد وفقا لقانون‬ ‫* منح الفنادق واملؤسسات السياحية واملستشفيات واملؤسسات الصحية حماية امللكية الفكرية‪.‬‬ ‫ومراكز التأهيل الصحي واملؤسسات التعليمية والعلمية إعفاءات إضافية‬

‫اجتماع الطاولة املستديرة مع السفير العراقي بحث فرص التجارة واالستثمار في العراق‬ ‫‪Trade & Investment Opportunities in Iraq‬‬ ‫‪Roundtable meeting with the Iraqi Ambassador in London‬‬ ‫استضافت غرفة التجارة العربية البريطانية سعادة سفير جمهورية العراق لدى اململكة املتحدة‪ ،‬الدكتور صالح‬

‫سعادة سفير العراق الدكتور صالح حسين علي التميمي واللورد تريفكارن‪ ،‬نائب رئيس مجلس إدارة الغرفة‬

‫حسين علي التميمي‪ ،‬ونائب القنصل التجاري العراقي في لندن السيد حسين عناد حسين‪ ،‬باجتماع الطاولة‬ ‫املستديرة في مقر الغرفة في لندن‪ ،‬وذلك من أجل تسليط الضوء على فرص التجارة واالستثمار في العراق‪ .‬ترأس‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫الجلسة اللورد تريفكارن‪ ،‬نائب رئيس مجلس إدارة الغرفة والدكتورة أفنان الشعيبي‪ ،‬األمين العام والرئيس‬ ‫التنفيذي للغرفة‪ ،‬وبحضور نخبة من رجال األعمال وممثلي الشركات من البريطانيين والعرب‪.‬‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫استهلت االجتماع الدكتورة الشعيبي بكلمة ترحيب بسعادة السفير والوفد‬ ‫املرافق له وبالحضور الكرام‪ ،‬وأعربت عن سعادتها الستضافة الغرفة‬ ‫هذا االجتماع والوقوف بجنب العراق وتسليط الضوء على الفرص‬ ‫الكبيرة املتاحة في هذا البلد العربي العريق‪ ،‬وكذلك الستكشاف سبل‬ ‫جديدة لتعميق التعاون بين بريطانيا والعراق من خالل تشجيع الشركات‬ ‫البريطانية لإلطالع على الفرص املتاحة في العراق‪ .‬وشكرت الدكتورة‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫الشعيبي سعادة السفير والوفد املرافق على قبول دعوة الغرفة وقالت‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫"نحن نتطلع كثيرا إلى أن تحيطنا علما بالخطط االقتصادية املستقبلية‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫في العراق‪ .‬ونود أن ننتهز هذه الفرصة لنتمنى لسعادة السفير عمال مثمرا‬ ‫مع الغرفة وتعزيز العالقات بين العراق واململكة املتحدة"‪.‬‬

‫ودعى اللورد تريفكارن سعادة السفير لتقديم العرض الذي أعده حول‬ ‫العراق والفرص التجارية واالستثمارية الكبيرة التي يزخر بها العراق‪.‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫بدأ سعادة السفير التميمي عرضا مفصال عن الوضع في العراق تطرق فيه‬ ‫إلى الهجمة الشرسة التي يتعرض لها بلده من قبل قوى اإلرهاب ومدى‬ ‫اإلمكانات االقتصادية والبشرية التي يسخرها العراق من أجل محاربة‬ ‫الهجمة الشرسة التي يتعرض لها العراق من قبل قوى اإلرهاب‪ ,‬وأشار‬ ‫سعادته إلى أن لوال اإلرهاب الذي يتعرض له العراق لكانت كل هذه‬ ‫اإلمكانات قد سخرت لخدمة وبناء العراق وسعادة مواطنيه‪.‬‬

‫وقدم العرض الرابع من قبل شركة معلومات‬ ‫عبر‬

‫الحدود‬

‫(‬

‫‪Cross-border‬‬

‫‪CBI‬‬

‫‪ ،)Information‬وهي شركة استشارية وتعمل‬ ‫على توفير معلومات السوق وبيانات الحالة‬ ‫االقتصادية الحيوية والعمالء واملصالح‬ ‫التجارية في منطقة الشرق األوسط من خالل‬ ‫إجراء التحقيقات حسب الطلب‪ ،‬وإصدار‬ ‫املطبوعات واإلعالن عن األحداث واملناسبات‪.‬‬ ‫والكثير من عمل هذه الشركة يرتبط بقطاع‬ ‫الطاقة والصناعات ذات الصلة‪.‬‬

‫السيد عبد السالم اإلدريس ي مدير قسم الخدمات في الغرفة‬

‫وقدمت شركة جرانت ثورنتون الدولية ( ‪Grant Thornton‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫‪ )International‬عرضا عن أعمالها التي تشمل تقديم املشورة التجارية‬ ‫املتعلقة بالحسابات والضرائب والتمويل والتوظيف وكذلك معلومات عن‬ ‫تأسيس الشركات واإلقامة‪ .‬وتعمل الشركة بطاقم موظفين يتألف من ‪42‬‬ ‫ألف موظف في أكثر من ‪ 130‬دولة‪ ،‬وتفخر الشركة بأنها واحدة من أكبر‬ ‫شركات الخدمات املهنية في العالم‪.‬‬ ‫وقدمت شركة محاماة ريتشارد نيلسون (‪)Richard Nelson LLP‬ـ التي لديها‬ ‫ً‬ ‫خبرة في قانون الشركات وامللكية الفكرية وتكنولوجيا املعلومات – عرضا‬ ‫ً‬ ‫عن أعمالها‪ .‬وتقدم الشركة أيضا خدمات اللغة العربية لعمالئها الذين‬ ‫يعملون في منطقة الشرق األوسط‪ .‬وتقدم الشركة نسبة خصم خاص على‬ ‫الخدمات التي تقدمها ألعضاء غرفة التجارة العربية البريطانية‪ .‬وقدمت‬ ‫ً‬ ‫شركة بور آند أكشن (‪ )Power & Action‬عرضها أيضا‪ ،‬وهي تنشط في‬ ‫مجال تقديم خدمات التدريب املهنية للعمالء من الشركات واألفراد والتي‬ ‫تهدف إلى تعزيز فعاليتها في نقل األفكار وتعزيز الثقة بالنفس‪ ،‬وتركز على‬ ‫تنمية الشخصية وتمكين ومساعدة عمالئها على تحقيق إمكاناتهم الكامنة‬ ‫وتحقيق أهدافهم والنجاح في األعمال‪.‬‬

‫وقدمت شركة كالس وول املحدودة (‪)Glasswall Solutions Limited‬‬ ‫عرضها‪ ،‬وهي شركة متخصصة في مجال الخدمات األمنية ومقرها في‬ ‫اململكة املتحدة‪ ،‬وقد طورت هذه الشركة استخدام تكنولوجيات أمنية‬ ‫مبتكرة وفعالة للغاية وتوفر الحماية ضد أي تهديدات واختراقات التي قد‬ ‫تواجه األمن املعلوماتي للعمالء من الشركات‪ .‬وتقدم الشركة خدمات من‬ ‫شأنها ان تؤمن الحفاظ على سالمة معلومات الشركة من خالل حماية‬ ‫االتصاالت اإللكترونية وتخزين البيانات السرية‪.‬‬ ‫وقدم العرض األخير من قبل شركة أجيف كلوبال (‪ ،)AchieveGlobal‬التي‬ ‫تختص بتقديم خدمات التدريب باللغتين العربية واإلنجليزية للعمالء في‬ ‫ً‬ ‫منطقة الشرق األوسط‪ ،‬وهي تعمل في هذا املجال منذ أكثر من ‪ 20‬عاما‪.‬‬ ‫وتغطي الدورات التي تقيمها الشركة تقنيات خدمة العمالء‪ ،‬وأساليب‬ ‫البيع وتنمية املهارات القيادية والتدريب على جميع املستويات في إدارة‬ ‫الشركات‪ .‬ويتم تقديم برامجها من قبل مجموعة من املدربين في املوقع أو‬ ‫عن طرق التعلم اإللكتروني‪.‬‬ ‫أنتهت أعمال امللتقى بمجموعة من االسئلة أعقبها حفل تعارف وتواصل‬ ‫بين الضيوف واألعضاء‪.‬‬

‫الغرفة تقيم ملتقى إلدامة التعارف و التواصل بين أعضائها‬ ‫‪Members’ Networking Event‬‬

‫مجموعة من أعضاء الغرفة الذين حضروا األمسية‬

‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫استضافت غرفة التجارة العربية عددا من أعضائها الجدد والقدامى في وقدمت فيما بعد عروضا قصيرة من قبل قائمة من األعضاء استهلته‬ ‫واحدة من سلسلة ندواتها التي تقيمها لتعارف وتواصل أعضائها‪ ،‬وذلك في بعرض قدم من قبل جامعة سالفورد (‪ .) University of Salford‬وجامعة‬ ‫ً‬ ‫سالفورد مقرها في شمال إنجلترا تنشط أيضا في منطقة الخليج منذ نحو‬ ‫مساء يوم األربعاء املصادف ‪ 27‬نيسان (أبريل) ‪.2016‬‬ ‫‪ 25‬سنة‪ ،‬وهي تعمل بشراكات مع الحكومات املحلية وقطاع الصناعة‪ .‬وفي‬ ‫ً‬ ‫وكانت هذه املناسبة فرصة ملمثلي قطاع األعمال لتقديم شركاتهم أمام عام ‪ 2014‬أنشأت الجامعة مكتبا لها في أبو ظبي‪.‬‬ ‫نخبة من الحضور من رجال أعمال آخرين‪ ،‬وإدامة التفاعل مع أعضاء‬ ‫الغرفة والضيوف‪ .‬وكان عدد من موظفي الغرفة على استعداد للمساعدة وقدم العرض الثاني من قبل شركة برادمان املحدودة ( ‪Bradman Lake‬‬ ‫والرد على االستفسارات حول مختلف الخدمات توفر املنظمة‪.‬‬ ‫‪ ،)Ltd‬وهي شركة مصدرة ملاكينات التعبئة والتغليف مع خبرة أكثر من ‪30‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫عاما من العمل في منطقة الشرق األوسط‪.‬‬ ‫وابتدأت األمسية بكلمة ترحيب ألقاها مسؤول قسم العضوية في الغرفة‬ ‫ً‬ ‫السيد مارك نجوروجي‪ ،‬و هو أيضا املراقب املالي للغرفة‪ .‬وبعد ذلك‪ ،‬تكلم‬ ‫وكان العرض الثالث قد قدم من قبل عضو الغرفة أرونا سانت جيمس ‪-‬‬ ‫السيد عبد السالم اإلدريس ي‪ ،‬مدير قسم الخدمات التجارية في الغرفة‪،‬‬ ‫املحامون (‪ ،)Arona St James Solicitors‬وهي شركة محاماة مقرها لندن‪،‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ً‬ ‫عن الغرفة وقدم عرضا موجزا عن الفرص املتاحة في األسواق العربية‪،‬‬ ‫متألفة من محامين متخصصين في قانون الهجرة والعمل‪ .‬وهي تركز على‬ ‫ً‬ ‫وكيف أن الغرفة يمكن أن يكون عونا للشركات التي تسعى إلى الحصول‬ ‫الخدمات املقدمة للعمالء من الشرق األوسط والذين يأتون للعيش‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫على فرص في األسواق العربية‪ .‬وذكر السيد اإلدريس ي أيضا عن برنامج‬ ‫والعمل في اململكة املتحدة‪ ،‬وخاصة الشركات الصغيرة واملتوسطة‪.‬‬ ‫الغرفة لألحداث واملناسبات والتي تنوي إقامتها في األيام واألسابيع القادمة‪.‬‬

36

UK BANKING

UK PAVES THE WAY FOR ‘OPEN BANKING REVOLUTION’ The final report of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) retail banking market investigation has concluded that older and larger banks in the UK did not have to compete hard enough for customers’ business, and smaller and newer banks find it difficult to grow.

The CMA is a non-ministerial government department charged with responsibility for strengthening business competition and reducing anti-competitive activities in the British banking sector. Its report found that many bank customers were paying more than they should and were not benefiting from new services.

To tackle the problems in the industry, the CMA is to implement a wide-reaching package of reforms. Central to the CMA’s remedies are measures to ensure that customers benefit from technological advances and that new entrants and smaller providers are able to compete more fairly.

The key measures, which will benefit personal and small business customers, include: n Requiring banks to implement Open Banking by early 2018, to accelerate

technological change in the UK retail banking sector. Open Banking will enable personal customers and small businesses to share their data securely with other banks and with third parties, enabling them to manage their accounts with multiple providers through a single digital ‘app’, to take more control of their funds (for example to avoid overdraft charges and manage cash flow) and to compare products on the basis of their own requirements. n Requiring banks to publish trustworthy and objective information on quality of service on their websites and in branches, so that customers can see how their own bank shapes up. Whether a personal customer or small business is willing to recommend their bank to friends, family and colleagues will be a core measure but

we will also be requiring banks to publish and make available through Open Banking a range of other quality measures. n Requiring banks to send out suitable periodic and event-based ‘prompts’ such as on the closure of a local branch or an increase in charges, to remind their customers to review whether they are getting the best value and switch banks if not. Unlike many other financial products such as home insurance, current accounts do not have annual renewal dates to act as natural reminders and other possible triggers like business growth are not prompting customers to review what they are getting from their bank.

Underpinning these remedies, the CMA is introducing further measures to make it easier for customers to search and switch.

At the moment only 3% of personal and 4%

UK BANKING

Retail banking is of fundamental importance to consumers and businesses and to the UK economy as a whole. There are around 70 million active PCAs in the UK and PCAs generated revenues of approximately £8.7 billion in 2014. 97% of adults have a PCA and 5.6 million PCAs were opened in the UK in 2015.

Following the financial crisis there has been a rise in the number of SMEs. In 2014 there were over 5 million SMEs accounting for 99.9% of all UK businesses. There are around 5.5 million BCAs, which generated approximately £2.7 billion in revenues in 2014. The total stock of outstanding generalpurpose business loan balances at the end of 2015 was £96 billion with a further £9 billion of invoice finance loans and £25 billion of new asset finance loans. Just fewer than 20% of all SMEs have a loan.

of business customers switch to a different bank in any year. This is despite, for example, personal customers in Great Britain being able to save £92 on average per year by switching provider, with savings of around £80 a year on average available for small businesses. Larger savings are available for overdraft users – for example, personal customers who are overdrawn for one or two weeks every month could save £180 per year on average.

The CMA has also introduced specific measures to benefit unarranged overdraft users, who make up around 25% of all personal current account customers, and small businesses. n Banks make £1.2 billion a year from unarranged overdraft charges. Banks will be required to send alerts to customers going into unarranged overdraft, and inform them of a grace period, to avoid charges – research by the FCA has shown that this type of alert, when combined with mobile banking, can heavily reduce overdraft charges. Banks will also have to set a monthly cap on unarranged charges, and tell their customers about it. n The CMA found that small businesses lack tools providing comprehensive information about bank charges, service quality and credit availability. The CMA is throwing its weight behind the independent charity Nesta in a new initiative to put this right, requiring banks to provide Nesta with financial backing and technical support, alongside introducing a range of other measures targeted at small businesses such as a loan eligibility tool.

Recent Developments in UK Banking During the banking crisis, the UK took large holdings in Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBSG) and Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) to restore financial stability. Following Lloyds TSB’s acquisition of HBOS in 2009, which created LBG, the European Commission ruled that the UK government’s financial assistance to LBG constituted state aid and required a divestment which recreated TSB in 2013. Williams & Glyn is anticipated to be separated from RBSG following a similar decision by the European Commission.

Partly in response to tighter capital requirements, there has been a general contraction in lending activity in particular by the larger banks to SMEs. This has facilitated the entry of new banks and non-bank lenders such as peer-to-peer lenders. It also prompted the UK government to set up the British Business Bank (BBB) and, together with the Bank of England (BoE), the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) to incentivise banks and building societies to increase their lending to SMEs. There has been continued technical innovation in retail banking. Internet banking has doubled since 2007 with over half of customers banking online and around a third of customers using mobile banking applications.

The development of ‘bank in a box’ technology and the wider digitalisation of banking have lowered the cost of new entry, facilitated digitalonly new entry as well as new product and service innovation such as contactless payment technology and mobile payment systems.

The five largest banks in GB are LBG, RBSG, HSBC Group (HSBCG), Barclays and Santander UK plc (Santander), part of the Spanish banking group Banco Santander SA. These banks operate throughout the UK and provide the full range of retail banking services. The leading banks in NI are Ulster Bank (Ulster) (part of RBSG), Santander, Allied Irish Bank (AIB) and Bank of Ireland (BoI) which are both based in the Republic of Ireland, and Danske Bank (Danske) (Northern Bank Limited, trading as Danske Bank), whose parent bank is Danish.

In addition to these larger banks, there are a number of smaller banks and over 40 building societies including several new entrants. Some of these banks and building societies are regionally based, some only provide personal or SME banking services, some are part of large retail groups and others focus on digital-only distribution channels. They include Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank (part of the same banking group), TSB (recently acquired by the Spanish bank Sabadell), Nationwide Building Society (Nationwide), Handelsbanken (part of a Swedish banking group), the Co-operative Bank (Co-op Bank), Metro Bank (Metro), Virgin Money, Aldermore Bank (Aldermore), the Post Office, and Tesco Bank.

Competition & Markets Authority (CMA), 09/08/2016 For further information: www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-pavesthe-way-for-open-banking-revolution

37

38

TENDERS

TENDERS

https://etendering.tenderboard.gov.bh Deadline: 21/09/2016

IRAQ KERKUK SILO RECONSTRUCTION

BAHRAIN INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION OF CONCERNED CONTRACTORS FOR MAINTENANCE & RE-COATING WORKS OF WATER TANKS (MILD STEEL) IN WATER TRANSMISSION DIRECTORATE (WTD) PRQ No: 4203-2016-4500-WTD Document Fee: BD25 Contact Bahrain Electricity & Water Authority (EWA) Purchasing & Supply Directorate Tel: +17995657 Fax: +17701904 Email: hanik.mohammed@ewa.bh www.tenderboard.gov.bh Deadline: 07/09/2016

PRE-QUALIFICATION OF THE INSTALLATION, SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF COMMUNICATION PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ICT NETWORKING AT BAHRAIN INTL AIRPORT PRQ No: BAC/185/2016 Document Fee: BD25 Contact Tender Submission Office Seventh Floor Tender Board Office Al Moayyed Tower Seef District Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel. +973-17566666 https://etendering.tenderboard.gov.bh Deadline: 21/09/2016

SURFACE PREPARATION AND COATING SERVICES ON STORAGE TANKS AND OTHER COMPANY OPERATING FACILITIES Tender No: T160127 (28) Bid Bond: BD5,000 Document Cost: BD50 Contact Tender Submission Office Seventh Floor Tender Board Office Al Moayyed Tower Seef District Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel. +973-17566666

Tender No: GBI 33 The Grain Board of Iraq (GBI) – a state company of the Ministry of Trade – has announced a tender for the reconstruction of the Kerkuk silo.

Contact Grain Board of Iraq Email: import1@iqgrainb.com; import2@ iqgrainb.com Deadline: 08/09/2016

QATAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR FIRE AND RESCUE VEHICLES AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT

Scope of Work Routine preventative maintenance work on fire and rescue vehicles, associated equipment and miscellaneous vehicles in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City for a period of 60 calendar months.

Tender No: GT16105900 Document Cost: QR500 Bid Bond: QR750,000 Contact Qatar Petroleum PO Box 3212 Doha, Qatar Tel: (974) 4440 2000 Fax: (974) 4483 1125 Website: www.qp.com.qa Deadline: 18/09/2016

PRICE AGREEMENT FOR BALL VALVES (UP TO 4 INCH) Tender No: GT16MT0006 Bid Bond: QR300,000 Document Cost: QR100 Contact Qatar Petroleum PO Box 3212 Doha, Qatar Tel: (974) 4440 2000 Fax: (974) 4483 1125 Website: www.qp.com.qa Deadline: 02/10/2016

UAE SUPPLY OF COPPER ALLOY TUBES FOR EVAPORATORS OF DESAL PLANT AT E STATION, PHASE-I, JEBEL ALI Tender No: 2051600030 Tender Fee: Dhs 500 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai

Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae Website: www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 22/09/2016

SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF AESTHETIC SOLAR AND NORMAL LED LIGHT POST AT ‘D’ STATION, JEBEL ALI Tender No: 2121600071 Tender Fee: Dhs200.00 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae Website: www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 07/09/2016

CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS ROAD FOR INNOVATION CENTER IN SOLAR PARK PHASE I Tender No: 2131600052 Tender Fee: Dhs 500 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae Website: www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 05/09/2016

SUPPLY OF CRIMPING TYPE CABLE SOCKETS Tender No: 2051600043 Tender Fee: Dhs 500 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae Website: www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 18/09/2016

SUPPLY OF LOW VOLTAGE POWER CABLES Tender No: 2051600029 Tender Fee: Dhs 3000.00 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae Website: www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 07/09/2016

TENDERS

TENDERS SUPPLY AND COMMISSIONING OF 6 NOS., 2500KVA PRIME POWER RATED, ENCLOSED 11KV DIESEL GENERATOR SETS MOUNTED ON 8 X 8 ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK Tender No: 2131600051 Tender Fee: Dhs1000.00 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae Website: www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 21/09/2016

OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CYBERSECURITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (OT-CSMS) Tender No: 2131600046 Tender Fee: Dhs1000.00 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae Website: www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 19/09/2016

LEBANON MOVIE PRODUCTION HUB AND INCENTIVES FOR MEDIA PROJECTS Lebanon is booming as a film production hub in the MENA region, according to IDAL, the country’s national investment promotion agency.

KEY FACTS AND FIGURES ON THE LEBANESE FILM INDUSTRY The film industry has seen a significant growth over the last four years as measured by the number of Lebanese films produced each year, hovering at 31 units in 2015 with an approximate investment value of $32.4 million, which represent a significant growth compared to an yearly average of 11 and an investment size of $8.8 million produced in the previous four-year period.

Lebanon is a source of talent for the entire Arab region and is both highly skilled and cost competitive.

• Every year, around 220 students are estimated to graduate with a degree in the

audio-visual arts. Specialized universities and faculties ensure these students are fit to meet the market requirements.

• Workers are not only highly skilled but also cost competitive with average wages usually 50%-60% lower than in GCC countries.

There are 91 audio-visual production/ postproduction houses in Lebanon with most cutting edge production equipment.

• Production houses in Lebanon offers a wide spectrum of production facilities with state of the art equipment and professional teams to make it happen.

• This industry also comprises postproduction companies that offer services in editing, film/tape transfers, titling, closed captioning, computer-produced graphics, animation and special effects, as well as developing and processing motion picture films.

With around 15 distribution companies, Lebanon offers a solid ground for movie distribution through: good relations with foreign directors and producers.

Filming Scenery: Lebanon can offer a wide range of locations - all in pretty close proximity • Filmmakers can take full advantage of Lebanon’s unique and diversified scenery of beaches, mountains, and a blend of Middle Eastern, European and ancient architecture, which can easily cater to almost any type of staging required.

INCENTIVES FOR MEDIA PROJECTS Region Based Incentives or Investment Project by Zone (IPZ) Zone A Minimum Investment Requirement is USD 200,000 • 100% Exemption from corporate income tax for two years provided that the company’s shares are listed in the Beirut Stock Exchange. In this case, the effective negotiable shares should be no less than 40% of the capital of the company • Work permits for various categories, exclusively needed for the project, provided that at least two Lebanese nationals are employed for each foreigner.

All employees should be registered with the National Social Security Fund.

Zone B Minimum Investment Requirement is USD 200,000 • 50% reduction on corporate income tax and taxes on project dividends, for a period of five years. The reduction shall be applicable as soon as excavation works for the project commence, in accordance with the provisions of the Law. • Work permits for various categories, exclusively needed for the project,

provided that at least two Lebanese nationals are employed for each foreigner.

All employees should be registered with the National Social Security Fund.

Zone C Minimum Investment Requirement is USD 200,000 • A 100% exemption from corporate income tax and taxes on project dividends for a period of 10 years. The exemption shall be applicable as soon as excavation works for the project commence, in accordance with the provisions of the Law. • Work permits for various categories, exclusively needed for the project, provided that at least two Lebanese nationals are employed for each foreigner.

All employees should be registered with the National Social Security Fund.

Region Based Incentives or Package Deal Contract (PDC) Minimum Investment Requirement is USD 400,000 Minimum Number of Jobs Required: 25 • 100% exemption from Corporate Income Taxes for up to ten years starting as from the commencement date of the exploitation of the project • 100% exemption of Taxes on Project Dividends for up to ten years starting as from the commencement date of the exploitation of the project.

• Up to 50% Reduction on Work and Residence Permit Fees regardless of their category and depending on the number of permits required. Also the value of the certificate of deposit entrusted to the Housing Bank shall be reduced by half.

• Up to 50% Reduction on Construction Permit Fees related to the buildings to be established & needed for the execution of the project benefiting from the provisions of the Package Deal Contract.

• 100% exemption from Land Registration Fees at the Real Estate Register and from fees needed for annexation, sub-division, mortgage and registration of lease contracts at the Real Estate Register.

• Obtaining Work Permits of all categories provided that the project benefiting of the Package Deal Contract preserves the interests of the local labour force through employing at least two Lebanese nationals against one foreigner, and registering them in the National Fund for Social Security.

• Exemption from the obligation of including Lebanese natural and legal persons in the Board of Directors in Joint Stock companies.

For further information see: http://www.investinlebanon.gov.lb/

39

40

E-GOVERNMENT

E-GOVERNMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT A 2016 United Nations E-Government Survey highlights the positive global trend towards higher levels of e-government development.

Countries in all parts of the world were found to be increasingly embracing innovation and utilizing ICTs to deliver services and engage people in decision-making processes. One of the most important new trends identified is the advancement of people-driven services.

The 2016 Survey titled E-Government in Support of Sustainable Development marks the ninth edition of the flagship publication of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

The 2016 report addressed growing demand for more personalised services that reflect individual needs, as well as people’s aspiration to be more closely engaged in the design and delivery of services. These new demands are transforming the way the public sector operates.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland occupied top place in the 2016 Online Service Index, scoring well in all areas and stages of online service delivery. The UK’s early adoption of e-government and the considerable evolution since, including many course corrections to integrate lessons learned, contributed to this achievement.

In the last decade, the UK government worked continuously to establish the needed infrastructure; and secure government gateways, interoperability standards, authentication and broadband availability, while also deregulating the telecommunications sector.

With the basic infrastructure in place, attention turned to ensuring faster and more innovative adoption of new technologies for online service delivery. The progress of e-government services went from simply publishing information to offering basic interactions, (e.g., e-forms), to full transactional capability (e.g., filing and processing tax returns, welfare benefits, passports, etc.) and to a more complete transformation and reform of public sector online operations and public service delivery.

The governance of online public service delivery was changed with the introduction of the Chief Information Officers (CIOs) Council and between the e-Government Unit of the Cabinet Office and the Office of Government Commerce. This team was set to transform online service delivery and make it citizens

centred, self-service, accessible and enabling.

This marked a Whole-of-Government approach in online service delivery, where services are available in a more integrated fashion from various departments; local and central governments.

Digital authentications, as well as secure access to the full spectrum of services are being ensured along with efforts to promote digital inclusion.

The availability and affordability of mobile devices remains an important factor and driver of change in the migration from electronic to mobile public service delivery. The 2015 Report of UK regulatory agency Ofcom highlights the dominance of mobile, and indicates that the change has been brought about not by improvements in fixed broadband, but by the availability of larger, more capable phones and faster 4G mobile networks.

Phones and 4G are in turn facilitating communication through a variety of channels, especially social media. An ever increasing number of users are switching from computers to smartphones – a shift which is driven by larger size screens and prolonged battery life of smartphones enables people to comfortably carry out the tasks that would have normally been reserved for a desktop, laptop or tablet.

Today several countries have already adopted “Responsive Web Design” (RWD) technology to implement on-line services in their governmental portals. RWD allows desktop webpages to be viewed in response to the size of the device one is using. It creates dynamic changes to the appearance of a website, depending on the screen size and orientation of the device. Instead of having to build a special mobile version of a website, which often requires writing a new code from scratch, this technique solves the problem of designing for the multitude of devices available to customers.

This innovative technology emerged as a way to provide equal access to information regardless of the device (fixed or mobile).

In 2014, only 48 countries had adopted this technology. In 2016, the UN Survey shows a significant increment, with 99 countries using RWD technology for their national portals (22 from Africa, 21 from the Americas, 26 from Asia, 24 from Europe and 6 from Oceania).

The shift towards mobile services and devices can help improve health, education, and productivity. It can help break the barriers between formal and informal education, health and other basic important public services. Today, mobile technologies are available, even where basic infrastructures and utilities are scarce.

As the price of mobile phone ownership continues to fall, many more people, including in extremely impoverished areas, are likely to own and use a mobile device.

Countries are better able to overcome physical barriers to health, education and accessing public services, and reshape their delivery not only towards improved services, but towards people-centred, public services, especially ones that utilise mobile broadband and mobile devices to bridge digital divides.

However, discrepancies in availability and affordability persist with fixed broadband services remaining expensive.

According to the World Bank, only around 15 per cent of the world’s people can afford access to broadband Internet, and nearly 2 billion people do not own a mobile phone, World Development Report 2016. In addition, “4 billion people from developing countries remain offline, representing two thirds of the population residing in developing countries,” says the ITU, ICT Facts and Figures, 2015.

With the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) e-government has become a development indicator. Much emphasis has been placed on advancing e-government in the Gulf, as both a means and an end in development. In promoting knowledge sharing among the GCC countries, biennial GCC e-government awards are presented to government entities that have demonstrated excellence in e-government.

In global ranking, Bahrain (ranked 24th), and the United Arab Emirates (ranked 29th) are among the global leaders with Very-HighEGDI levels, while Kuwait (40th), Saudi Arabia (44th) and Qatar (48th) are among the top Asian countries with High-EGDI levels.

UN E-Government Survey 2016: E-Government in Support of Sustainable Development https://publicadministration. un.org/ egovkb/en-us/#.V63xW8tTEqQ

BUSINESS EVENTS

41

BUSINESS EVENTS, TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES MEDICARE IRAQ 13-15 September 2016 Erbil, Iraq Contact Iraq Medicare Tel: +964 66 2567634 Email: medicare@ifpiraq.com www.iraqmedicare.com PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PERSPECTIVES ON TACKLING CORRUPTION Expert roundtable discussion Wednesday 14th September 2016 Gray’s Inn Chambers, London Contact Sara Abbasi Anti-Bribery and Corruption Research Coordinator London Centre of International Law Practice Gray’s Inn Chambers 19-21 High Holborn London WC1R 5JA T: + 44 (0) 207 404 5029 http://www.lcilp.org/event/anticorruptionperspectives/ FOOD SAFETY OMAN CONFERENCE 20-21 September 2016 Oman International Exhibition Centre Contact Oman Expo Tel: +968 246 60124 Fax: +968 246 60125 Email: foodandhospitalityoman@omanexpo.com http://www.foodsafetyoman.com/contact-us.php WEST AFRICA REAL ESTATE INVESTOR FORUM 23 September 2016 Dartmouth House, London Contact ACE Corporate Events Email: info@acecorporateevents.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)2089736457 http://acecorporateevents.co.uk CONSTRUCTION FAIR FOR FREE ZONES 26-29 September 2016 Baghdad International Fairground, Iraq Contact Tel: 00 964 790 598 4770 Email: marketing@bg.iq.net; info@bg.iq.net SAUDI AGRICULTURE 30th international trade exhibition for agriculture, water and agro-industry 2-5 October 2016 Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Riyadh, KSA Contact Riyadh Exhibition Company Ltd PO Box 56010 Riyadh 11554 Tel: +966 1 2295604 Fax: +966 1 2295612 Email: info@recexpo.com http://saudi-agriculture.com/ CLIMATE ABU DHABI 2016 Trade Fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 3-5 October 2016

ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE Contact EUROEXPO Tel: + 43 1 230 85 35 Fax: + 43 1 230 85 35 51 Email: climate@euroexpo-vienna.com http://www.climate-expo.com/contact/ ARAB HEALTH RECRUITMENT & TRAINING FAIR 22-24 October 2016 ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE Contact Tom Coleman Exhibition Director Tel: +971 4 407 2508 Email: tom.coleman@informa.com www.healthrecruitmentfair.com 3RD ANNUAL FUTURE LANDSCAPE & PUBLIC Realm Qatar 24 - 25 October 2016 Intercontinental Hotel, Doha, Qatar Contact Advanced Conferences & Meetings FZ-LLC PO Box 478842, Dubai Studio City Tel: +971 4 361 4001 Fax: +971 4 361 4554 Email mailing@acm-events.com http://www.futurelandscapeqatar.com/ BASRA OIL, GAS & INFRASTRUCTURE Conference 2016 The Official Strategic Meeting of Basra’s Oil, Gas & Infrastructure Industries 24 – 25 October 2016 Intercontinental Phoenicia Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon Contact Nawar Abdulhadi CWC Group Email: basraenq@thecwcgroup.com Tel: +44 (0) 20 7978 0093 http://www.cwcbasraoilgas.com SUDAN BUILD & CONSTRUCTION EXPO 2016 Khartoum International Fairground, Sudan 28-31 October 2016 Contact Innovation Exhibitions PO Box 6497 Dubai Tel: +9714 351 7786 Email: tayyab@inexpo.ae UNFCCC COP 22 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 22nd Session Conference 7-18 November 2016 Marrakesh, Morocco Contact UNFCCC Secretariat Tel: +49 228 815 1000 Fax: +49 228 815 1999 Email: secretariat@unfccc.int http://unfccc.int/ 3RD ANNUAL ARAB FUTURE CITIES SUMMIT DUBAI 8-9 November 2016 Palazzo Versace, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Contact Expotrade Middle East FZ-LLC

Dubai Media City PO Box 500686 Dubai, UAE Tel: +9714-4542135 Email: info@expotrade-me.com http://www.smartcitiesdubai.com/ CIPD ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION Shaping the future of work discussed in seminars, master classes and workshops 9-10 November 2016 Manchester Central, UK Contact Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Tel: 020 8612 6248 Email: eventsregistrar@cipd.co.uk www.cipd.co.uk/contactus GCC MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE & TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT 2016 14-15 November 2016 Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, Dubai, UAE Contact Expotrade Middle East FZ-LLC Dubai Media City PO Box 500686 Dubai, UAE Tel: +9714-4542135 Email: info@expotrade-me.com http://www.gccmanufacturing.com/ BEYOND 2020 – CONNECTING SUPPLY CHAINS, CREATING THE FUTURE Dubai 2016 22-23 November 2016 Dubai, UAE Contact Logisym www.logisym.com/events/logisym-dubai-2016/ NILE CHEMEX 2016 International Exhibition for Chemical and Petrochemical Industries and Technologies Khartoum International Fairground, Sudan 24-27 November 2016 Contact Vision Ltd Khartoum Sudan Tel: +249 (0) 920 000 007 http://ifksudan.com/en/ KUWAIT INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SHOW 2017 First ever Aviation Expo in Kuwait offering opportunities for global and local companies, specialised in civil and military aviation, commercial and military aircraft plants, business airlines, air ambulance, helicopters, engines and aviation systems, as well as civil and military airport supplies 23-26 January 2017 Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait Contact Al-Jabriya Exhibition Group +965 22446445 info@kuwaitaviationshow.com http://www.kuwaitaviationshow.com/

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