Opportunity Iraq Seminar

Businesses considering entering the Iraqi market are being offered a second free seminar, to explore further the considerations for operating in Iraq. The second of a series of “Opportunity Iraq” seminars is being delivered by Upper Quartile as part of Aberdeen City Council’s international trade and investment team’s support services. This will deal with the commercial aspects of managing and building a commercial operation in Iraq and in particularly Basra.

The Seminar will be held in Marischal College on Friday 27 January, with presentations commencing at 2pm and concluding by 5pm.

Presenters include representatives from AAIB Insurance, who offer specialist insurance in high-risk markets; Blue Hackle, who offer security in Iraq and an Iraqi national whose business helps foreign companies set up in Iraq.

Companies attending the seminar will have the opportunity to discuss specific issues relating to their business with the speakers, representatives of both Upper Quartile and Aberdeen City Council.

AGENDA

1400 – 1415 Introduction: Elaine Robertson, ACC, International Trade and Investment

  • ACC’s role in aiding businesses

1415 – 1500 Overview of Iraq: Surmid El-Akabi, Fiafi Group

  • SOC and the IOC’s
  • Iraqi politics going forward

1500 – 1545 Security in Iraq: James Hopkinson, COO, Blue Hackle

  • Security options available (Baghdad, Basra and Erbil)
  • Costs of security
  • Security after American troops leave

1545 – 1630 High Risk Insurance Cover: William Wakeham, CEO, AAIB Insurance

  • Working within the Iraqi commercial environment
  • Finding and employing staff in Iraq
  • Running a business / office network in Iraq
  • Risk mitigation and insurance

1630 – 1700 Informal Discussion/ Questions and Answers

COMPANY INFORMATION

Fiafi Group

Established in 2004, Fiafi Group has been involved in the re-development of Iraq, and is a key player in the maturing commercial sector. Initially involved in logistics, security, maintenance and training, it has expanded to include construction, catering, life support and pipeline solutions. Headquartered in Baghdad, it operates nationwide with a regional office in Basra, international branch in Dubai, and representative offices in London, Munich and Kuwait.

Blue Hackle

Blue Hackle offers specialist risk mitigation and risk management services to major corporations, financial institutions, law firms, not-for-profit organizations and government agencies. They were founded in Iraq in 2004 and help companies:

  • Improve their understanding of the environments in which they operate.
  • Refine their knowledge of the people and companies with whom they are dealing.
  • Achieve the highest levels of asset protection and personnel security that is required in complex and, often hostile, environments.
  • Prepare, plan and execute strategies for the handling and management of crisis situations.

Anglo-Arab Insurance Brokers

Founded in 2005 by its Chief Executive William Wakeham, AAIB is today one of the leading international insurance brokers specialising in high risk insurance solutions for emerging and post conflict locations. AAIB is headquartered in Amman, Jordan, with offices in Iraq, the UAE (Dubai) and the UK. AAIB is represented via its subsidiary company, Al Fajer Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers, which is registered and licensed by the insurance regulator, the Iraqi Insurance Diwan. As an off-shore broker, AAIB has the flexibility to use a multitude of markets and is able to obtain competitive rates from local or international ‘A’ Rated markets.