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Immediate Release 2nd ReBuilding Iraq Conference: Business Opportunities WASHINGTON, DC -- Companies and organizations from around the world will gather in Washington, DC, at the 2nd ReBuilding Iraq Conference on December 3-4, 2003, to form partnerships for a wide range of economic opportunities in Iraq. Members of the Iraqi Governing Council, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), major companies and foundations, as well as several panels of Iraqi and international experts will unveil a comprehensive plan to accelerate reconstruction and mobilize free trade throughout Iraq. The 2-day event is open to all interested businesses and organizations from all countries. With over 400 corporate leaders expected to attend, the conference is organized around the needs of four types of participants:
All attendees are invited to submit a description of their organization's value proposition as part of the ReBuilding Iraq Conference printed program and online directory. Identifying the Market Opportunity Companies in the earliest stages of participation must evaluate risks first -- particularly security risks -- but also must understand why their product or service is important to Iraq, how the size of their market niche is going to grow in Iraq and the Middle East, and what business models are being used by comparable companies. To help companies collect such information about their business sector, the conference has scheduled presentations by such leaders as Bayan Baqir Solagh, Minister of Construction and Housing; Dr. Karim W. Hasan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Electricity; Peter B. Saba, COO, Chair, EXIM Bank Task Force on Iraq Reconstruction; Joe Saba, Iraq Country Director, World Bank; Lorenzo Perez, Mission Chief for Iraq, International Monetary Fund (IMF); and James E. Gale, Regional Manager of Investment Development, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). There will also be breakout sessions on construction, agriculture, electricity and telecommunications in Iraq. In addition, the latest electronic presentations from other Ministries are available to attendees as conference backgrounders. Developing a Sales Strategy The World Bank and the United Nations estimate Iraq's rebuilding needs at $36 billion over the next 4 years. Interested companies will need to formulate realistic pricing models, set up effective sales channels, understand how competition will evolve in Iraq, and forge new kinds of partnerships. Numerous conference speakers will describe these aspects of enterprise development, as well as the legal and regulatory framework in Iraq, the banking system, financing facilities, and the timetable for the rehabilitation of physical infrastructure. Scheduled speakers include Harvey Sicherman, President, Foreign Policy Research Institute; Merriam Maschatt, Trade & Economic Advisor, Coalition Provisional Authority; Paul C. Homsy, Director, Arab Bankers Association; and Ross Weary, Senior Iraqi Reconstruction Advisor, USAID. Breakout sessions will be devoted to insurance issues, project financing, and participation in the tendering process for rebuilding Iraq. Presenting Solutions to the Iraqi Market In order to strengthen investor confidence, Mehdi al-Hafidh, Interim planning minister of the Iraqi governing council, has announced that "Iraqi institutions will be open to public scrutiny under clearly defined roles." In such a procurement environment, companies must be well-prepared to explain how they are going to meet Iraq's needs, highlighting their technology, delivery channel, or the experience of their team members. Informative case studies will be presented by DHL Danzas Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, and the Hewlett-Packard Company to help companies fine tune their plans to grow and manage their business in Iraq. A special panel featuring decision-makers from Halliburton KBR, Bechtel and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will discuss continuing contracting and sub-contracting opportunities. Cultural Strategies for Rebuilding Iraq ReBuilding Iraq is the first business conference to include a cultural agenda in its program. Most Iraqis and Middle Easterners agree that cross-cultural awareness is a business imperative for growth potential. To assure that the cultural community has a strong voice in the reconstruction planning process, major foundations and institutions have been invited to recommend strategies for long-term collaboration with the Iraqi people. These strategies include socially responsible investment (SRI) funds, cultural heritage preservation, environmental protection, diversity management, education, public diplomacy, and multi-cultural industrial design, marketing, health-care, and safety practices. Organizers of the cultural agenda have formed several public-private partnerships that will serve as models for the reconstruction community. Business Networking, Handshake Deals The 2nd Rebuilding Iraq Conference will also feature an exhibition hall, an Internet Cafe and two special receptions, giving interested organizations access to the more than 50 speakers and panelists, and ample opportunities to self-organize into business and cultural alliances. Companies and organizations wishing to attend are advised to register before November 14, 2003, in order to reserve space for their listing in the printed program for the conference. Download Registration Form Conference Web Site New Fields Exhibitions, Inc. is a leading emerging markets and business information provider, producing trade shows that produce results for companies worldwide. With offices in Dubai and Washington, DC, the company provides marketing services in the areas of construction, energy, oil & gas, telecommunications and health care. New Fields is currently working with the Cultural Strategies Institute and the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University to develop an executive course for Spring 2004 entitled, "Cultural Strategies for Rebuilding Iraq." CONTACTS USA: Marcial Dieguez New Fields Exhibitions, Inc. 1050 17th Street, NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 496-4976 Email: md@new-fields.com Middle East & North Africa: New Fields Exhibitions M5 ARJ Building Salahuddin street P.O. Box 14003 Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (4) 268 6870 Fax: +971 (4) 262 4569 Email: dubai@new-fields.com Download Registration Form Conference Web Site Your comments on these topics are most welcome. They may be submitted online at www.BaghdadMuseum.org/participate.htm or to JohnSimmons@BaghdadMuseum.org directly. Comments will be included in a special report for the conference on Culture and Reconstruction in Iraq. Return to Conference Main Menu |