Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome members and potential members. I would like to explain a
few things starting with the IACCI mission, which is to invigorate
the business community in Iraq by promoting an open-market economy
and a democratic political system in Iraq. Iraqi American
businessmen eager to rebuild war-torn Iraq have set up the
IRAQI-AMERICAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IACCI,
www.i-acci.org ) in
collaboration with prominent Iraqi-American businessmen, private
sector, non-profit organizations, U.S.A. agencies, business leaders
and academics.
Who is IACCI?
When was IACCI
established?
What is IACCI’s contact information?
What is the membership overview?
How can I join IACCI?
What vetting does IACCI do for members?
What is available for those who want an Iraqi membership?
Do you have any literature on membership?
What is Distinguished Membership?
What other types of membership are there?
What are the membership benefits?
“Impossible is Nothing”
Capacity Building
IACCI Expertise
Economic Development
Project Management
MNF-I & MNC-I
NAJAH
Empowering the Youth
Trade Facilitation
Evaluation
Future Development
Partial Projects
list
IACCI stands for Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Our mission is to invigorate the business community in Iraq by
promoting an open-market economy and a democratic political system in
Iraq. Iraqi American businessmen eager to rebuild war-torn Iraq have set
up the IRAQI AMERICAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IACCI) (www.i-acci.org)
in collaboration with prominent Iraqi-American businessmen, private
sector, non-profit organizations, U.S.A. agencies, business leaders and
academics.
IACCI mission is to invigorate the business community in Iraq by
promoting an open-market economy and a democratic political system in
Iraq. Iraqi American businessmen eager to rebuild war-torn Iraq have set
up the IRAQI AMERICAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IACCI) (www.i-acci.org)
in collaboration with prominent Iraqi-American businessmen, private
sector, non-profit organizations, U.S.A. agencies, business leaders and
academics.
IACCI aims to ensure that access to the market is open and fair.
IACCI is a non-profit organization which vies for transparency,
accountability and that the rule of law is enforced. A strong business
community is based on business associations having an audible voice in
the policy-making process. By serving as a platform to voice the
business community’s needs and interests to political decision-makers,
business associations contribute to the growth of participatory civil
society and the development of a regulatory and policy environment
conducive to private enterprise.
The IACCI assists in establishing a bilateral relationship between the
private sectors of Iraq and the rest of the world through educational
and economic programs, so that trade is facilitated and expanded. The
IACCI has developed and implemented training and workshops in
cooperation with American government agencies and private sector
foundations and organizations on topics such as International Trade,
Small Business Development, Public Policy Advocacy, Government and
Public Relations, Leadership Development, Business Ethics, Corporate
Governance, and Business English as a Second Language.
At this time IACCI has established relationships with Ethics Resource
Center, Transparency International, Center for International Private
Enterprise, US Chamber of Commerce, Foundation for Entrepreneurial
Development, Millennium Relief and Development Services and many others
to form a cohesive set of programs to address private sector needs in
Iraq.
IACCI has large offices in Baghdad with a full-time staff of over 350
professionals dedicated to the preceding goals and mission. IACCI has a
bilateral protocol with the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce,
the umbrella organization over eighteen chambers of commerce throughout
every major city in Iraq. Through this relationship IACCI has
representation in every chamber across the country. IACCI has a strong
cooperative relationship with all Iraqi Ministries, and most of the
ministers are honorary members of IACCI. Additionally, IACCI has
established a strong cooperation with all professional trade and
industrial unions, including the Engineering Union, Construction Union,
Doctors’ Union, Accounting Union, and Iraqi Bar Association.
IACCI has over 7150 members in Iraq, the United States, and the rest of
the world. IACCI conducts regular seminars and conferences, bringing the
business community into a dialogue with government ministers on topics
of great general interest such as the new Iraqi Foreign Investment Law,
privatization, also The IRAQI –AMERICAN Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Invented Many other new depts. In the Chamber to help its members in
providing them with new facilities that will distinguish them from the
other businessmen in Iraq like the Buying Power Department, Leading
Generation Department beside these two depts. We have the CCR & D&B No.
Dept., which provides our members with the service of the International
registration for the international Companies with Iraqi, Local
companies, it is been done updating the new – membership Department.
Finally, the Training Department to provide The Chambers members with
the Training courses in English language, Computer soft ware, the
Internet Café Free service to our members so that they can Surf through
the web from our Location in Baghdad For all over the world.
The IRAQI AMERICAN Chamber Of Commerce and Industry is a non-profit
organization formed in Los Angeles, California. Our website is www.i-acci.org
.
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IACCI was established June 2003 .
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Email: info@iacci.info
FAX: 001 858 408 2624
BAGHDAD
00 964 790 272 6318
00 964 770 541 8562
00 964 790 596 5032
00 964 790 660 4467
ARBIL, KURDISTAN, IRAQ
00 964 750 478 0152
00 964 750 461 8082
00 964 770 132 0150
00 964 662 251 959
00 964 662 528 300
SULYMANIAH, KURDISTAN, IRAQ
00 964 770 782 1431
00 964 770 132 0150
00 964 53 3 236 862
00 964 748 010 6850
AMMAN, JORDAN
00 962 656 89477
00 962 656 89455
00 962 796 456748
USA
011 877 249 4727 (Voice Mail)
001 858 240 7407
001 818 683 3876
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IRAQI-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY continues to grow
since its founding and establishment in the state of California in May,
2003. Each year brings a new level of development in the IACCI
membership and the kinds of services that IACCI offers to these members.
Here is a brief breakdown of IACCI’s membership plans:
• Private Business Members
o Classic ($250/year)
o Silver ($1500/year)
o Gold ($3000/year)
o Gold Plus ($5000/year)
• Government Members (for individual government employees) ($10/year)
• Individual Members (for independent individuals) ($100/year)
• International Members
o Individual Members ($500/year)
o Business Membership ($1500/year)
o Corporate Membership ($3000/year)
o Elite Corporate Membership ($5000/year)
• Women Members ($50/year)
All members have access to IACCI’s broad range of services, including
business development skills training, English language training, IT
training, international business practices consulting, assistance with
acquiring D&B numbers, trade show invitations, Free Trade advertising,
tenders, international shipping (DHL/FedEx, etc.), buying power, lead
generation, website development and hosting, email, brochures,
letterhead, business cards, domestic and foreign company registration,
international driver’s license, and much more.
(Download PDF)
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You have two options: The first, simply fill out a membership form by
hand and pay the annual fees. Second, exhibit at or sponsor DBX! DBX
sponsors and exhibitors receive a free annual membership in IACCI.
Otherwise, membership applications can be picked up from our office in
Arasat, Baghdad or downloaded from our website at
www.i-acci.org
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In general, there is a shortage of financial or other critical
information available for most Iraqi companies. This being said, the
Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry has worked diligently
from the start to gather the most complete and accurate information on
all of our members. As a catalyst of successful business relationships,
we see it as our duty to make this information available to all other
member companies for the mutual purpose of building cooperation and
creating contracting opportunities between member companies.
In this regard, the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(IACCI) has taken the following steps to move towards this end:
• We have upgraded our membership application to include over 13 pages
of data that resides on an SQL server with state-of-the-art data mining
and warehousing technology. All of this has been accomplished and is
maintained by our in-house Iraqi IT experts. Our talented IT team makes
it possible for us to continue to improve, update and reflect the needs
of the marketplace and our members.
• Our database includes detailed categorization of member companies
according to the standards of the SIC (Standard Industrial
Classification) and the NAICS (North American Industrial Classification
System). This allows us, for example, to locate instantly all spare
parts suppliers in the city of Hilla, Iraq that are members of Iraqi
American Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Many times the prime contractors require prospective subcontractors to
have D&B numbers and register in the CCR. The Iraqi American Chamber of
Commerce and Industry obtains Dun & Bradstreet numbers for our members
and is the only organization that not only offer the service, but at a
substantial discount to its members. We also register the company
requesting a D&B number in the CCR (Central Contactor Registration)
database, obtaining the company’s NCAGE number in the process for free.
• IACCI has recently been in negotiations with Dun & Bradstreet, perhaps
the most prestigious and widely recognized company rating and financial
information company to offer the D&B rating service. This rating is
recognized all over the world as an excellent tool to qualify customers
and suppliers.
• Leveraging these features, the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and
Industry offers vetting services for its international members, so that
we may provide your company with more in-depth ground checks and
assurances of potential business partners’ credentials.
• Under the terms of this new service, IACCI is obligated to fulfill the
following items within ten days upon receiving the name of the company
to be vetted along with POC’s and contact information.
THE COST FOR VETTING IS $250 AND INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
• Basic and necessary information like company size, locations, and
assets, all financial documents and annual reports, number of employees,
name of all partners and important manger, divisions or other
affiliations for partners and company etc. (please see the attached
IACCI Business Membership Application).
• Check of registration with the Ministry of Trade or Ministry of
Industry, and all other potentially fictitious name registrations with
all relevant government departments or agencies.
• A visit to company main offices in Baghdad or other area in Iraq for
verification and authentication of all the above information.
• Visits to other premises critical to fulfillment of potential contract
duties.
• Report of last year’s financials provided by the company accountant.
• Cross-check of bank references.
• Verification and cross-check of references associated with at least 3
contracts (trade activities) fulfilled or under fulfillment within the
last one to two years.
• Cross-check of two additional references provided by the company.
• The submission of a full report presenting the results of this vetting
check including a certified bank statement of the last 6 months’ banking
activities.
• Special discounts apply for IACCI Business, Corporate, and Elite
Corporate Members.
• For more information about IACCI Vetting Services, please contact
raad@iacci.info
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You have two options: The first, simply fill out a membership form by
hand and pay the annual fees. Second, exhibit at or sponsor DBX! DBX
sponsors and exhibitors receive a free annual membership in IACCI.
Otherwise, membership applications can be picked up from our office in
Arasat, Baghdad or downloaded from our website at
www.i-acci.org .
IACCI has a membership tailored for you, with over 3.5 year experience
and over 7000 members we know what you are looking for, just ask:
Commercial: ($250/Year) our regular membership for the vast majority of
our members and it services them well, each year the majority of our
members renew their membership regardless of where they might be, some
send us there request for renewal by regular mail or email from counties
where they are present today
Individual: ($100/Year), this membership is ideal for professionals like
engineers or doctors that want IACCI membership in their pocket even
when they do not own or operate a business
Honorary: (FREE) hundreds of honorary members from Iraqi ministers to
deputy ministers and VIP’s that are eager and happy to become honorary
members and aim to help our chamber and members alike
Government: ($10/Year) you might say what does government employee have
to do with IACCI membership, well we say a lot. For those that carry the
card, they become more familiar with us and are willing to help our
members when they make a call on government offices. One might say it is
a nice way to recognize each other.
Women owned businesses get special discounts: $100/Year. Women are
everywhere in business and especially in small and family businesses
where we want to encourage them to network and succeed, therefore we
offer a special discount.
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There will be a special literature display for those
companies that cannot attend. Pricing is very reasonable, just call or
write for details. A special space in our new headquarters will be
designed with elegant setup for literature, catalogue, brochures and
information about our members to help them get additional exposure to
other Iraqi and foreign companies visiting our office each and every
day. Hundreds of members and companies visit our office weekly and as
they wait to be served they will have opportunities to read all about
your company in the specially designated literature display area.
Name Display: Special name tags will be displayed for each of our
members in our lobby to give them additional distinction and it is our
way of thanking them for becoming members.
Promotional literature: We have a team of Graphic Artist specializing in
Coral Draw and Photo Shop which can help you with your logo design and
promotional literature and brochures.
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Success has many faces and one way you can make sure that your
company is recognized is by joining our elite group of Iraqi members. There are three types of membership: Gold Plus, Gold and Silver.
(Read more in
PDF)
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IACCI has a membership tailored for you with over 3.5 years of
experience and over 7000 members we know what you are looking for. If
you have questions, just ask, we’d love to help.
Commercial: ($250/Year) our regular membership for the vast majority of
our members and it services them well, each year the majority of our
members renew their membership regardless of where they might be, some
send us there request for renewal by regular mail or email from counties
where they are present today
Individual: ($100/Year), this membership is ideal for professionals like
engineers or doctors that want IACCI membership in their pocket even
when they do not own or operate a business
Honorary: (FREE) hundreds of honorary members from Iraqi ministers to
deputy ministers and VIP’s that are eager and happy to become honorary
members and aim to help our chamber and members alike
Government: ($10/Year) you might say what does government employee have
to do with IACCI membership, well we say a lot, for those that carry the
card, they become more familiar with us and willing to help our members
when they make a call on government offices, you might say it is a nice
way to recognize each other
Women owned businesses get special discount: ($100/Year), women are
everywhere in business and especially small and family business and we
want to encourage them to network and succeed and therefore we offer a
special discount
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There are many, many benefits available to our members though some
are not currently active. We are adding new benefits all the time as our
goal is to have satisfied members. The details below will explain more
about our benefits.
Networking:
IACCI works diligently to provide each Business Member with
the opportunity to improve his business prospects through a variety of
networking events
Visa:
IACCI through our offices in Amman, Jordan and our dedicated staff
will help in whatever way we can to obtain visa entries for our members
in Iraq. Although, this is a very challenging service, however we have
obtained hundreds of visas to our members including over 50 visas to USA
and other countries like Germany, China and others.
KRG:
IACCI has offices in Arbil and Sulaimaniyah with excellent
relationship with KRG to help facilitate our members’ needs. A unique
service we offer is weekly tenders form KRG emailed to our members and
posted on our web sites, these are government projects in Kurdistan.
Structure of the KRG :
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) exercises
executive power according to the Kurdistan Region’s laws as enacted by
the democratically elected Kurdistan National Assembly (KNA). The
current government, led by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, assumed
office on 7 May 2006. The government coalition consists of several
political parties. The coalition reflects the diversity of the Region’s
people, who are Chaldeans, Assyrians, Turkmen, Yazidis, Kurds and others
living together in harmony and tolerance. The parties in the coalition
government are the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan (PUK), Kurdistan Toilers Party, Kurdistan Socialist Democratic
Party, Kurdistan Islamic Union, Kurdistan Communist Party, the Islamic
Group and the Turkman Brotherhood Party. Among the cabinet members are a
Chaldean, an Assyrian, a Yezidi, a Faili (Shia Kurd) and an independent
Turkoman.
Loans:
IACCI and IMMDF have a special relationship to help our members
and others obtain loans for new or existing projects. Iraq Middle Market
Development Foundation (“IMMDF”) obtained its license to operate in Iraq
in November 2004. IMMDF’s mission is to support the economic development
of Iraq and assist in the creation of jobs for Iraqis by making loans to
middle market businesses and Iraqi financial institutions. The goal of
this program is to provide loans to entities that would not otherwise be
able to secure financing on reasonable terms as a means of stimulating
employment growth and the reconstruction
IACCI Web Site: IACCI from the beginning dedicated itself to have the
best web site to help serve its members, www.i-acci.org, our members log
in to their email, check the latest news or look up information on other
members. Moreover each distinguished membership has its own web page or
a link to their website
Legal Services:
IACCI has offered legal services to our members for the
last three years, from company registration in Baghdad and Kurdistan to
legal advice, our team of dedicated legal professionals are a phone call
away. We are presently working with others to offer arbitration to help
bridge the gap between going to court and settling out of court and our
membership in ICC, International Chamber Corporation with their vast
knowledge in international arbitration will help us accomplish our goal
Iraqi Delegations:
IACCI regularly organizes business delegations to
other countries and obtain all travel requirements like visas and
negotiate with organizers of those events to obtain discounts and even
FREE travel and accommodation for our members. Recently we organized
trips to several countries like Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Slovakia
and the United Sates where we took the largest trade delegation ever
between the two countries.
Advertising Design:
IACCI dedicated team of graphics design artist will
assist you to create or improve your company image, we call it corporate
identity, they have designed hundreds of adds for our members and they
can help you present your company to the rest of the world.
Foreign Delegations:
IACCI regularly organizes visits by foreign
delegations to Iraq and invites Iraqi members to meet, network, and sign
contracts with foreign companies.
EXPO & Trade Show Organizer:
IACCI is a significant player and the only
independent and member funded organization in Iraq with a full time
staff dedicated to organize trade shows in Iraq and outside Iraq.
Destination Baghdad EXPO “DBX” is our first trade show which was
scheduled for May 25th in Baghdad at the historic Baghdad International
Fair and some $700,000 was spend to renovate and plan for the historic
event which was named the “Grand Opening to Iraq” by the Coalition
Provisional Authority “CPA” and was unfortunately postponed to a later
date in 2004 for reasons beyond our control. Visit www.dbxkurdistan.com.
to see all 300 companies that committed to participate at this historic
event like GE, GM, Mercedes, Microsoft, HP and Motorola and subsequently
last June 25th, a smaller version of DBX was moved to Diyarbakir, Turkey
to avoid security concerns. 130 companies exhibited at the Diyarbakir
and the largest delegation of IACCI members, some 1500 where organized,
visas, transportation, and accommodation was provided by IACCI.
BIAP BC:
Internet Service: BIAP BC will help domestic and international
travelers conduct their email and internet needs through several laptops
and a very reliable internet connection.
Telephone Services:
BIAP BC will offer Mobil, Landline, and Fax services
to facilitate communications both local and international
.
Express Mail:
BIAP BC will provide express mail to handle incoming and
outgoing express mail, the service will help business travelers receive
their express packages at the center in the event they need a temporary
address to receive their express package as well as outgoing express
mail.
Travel Agency Services: BIAP BC will offer assistant with travel
reservation and ticketing through arrangements with domestic and
international airlines and travel agencies.
Hotel Accommodations:
BIAP BC will offer assistant in booking
accommodations at BIAP or at Baghdad Hotels in addition to offering
discounts at those locations, these arrangements will guaranty room
availability at reasonable prices plus expert advice about the
suitability and convince of those accommodations to the fit the needs of
business travelers.
Taxi Service:
BIAP BC offers taxi service to the greater Baghdad
metropolitan area at reasonable prices and secure arrangements, through
our special vetting process.
Security Arrangements:
BIAP BC those has several arraignments’ with top
security companies to offer you many alternatives for all your security
needs from security escorts to secure housing.
Conference Facilities:
BIAP BC has two conference rooms, one large
facility able to hold up to 50 conferees and the second up to twenty
conferees and you can book your conference by calling us or email us and
we will do our utmost to accommodate your needs.
www.iraqbiz.info .
BIAP CC:
The newest project for IACCI is the first convention center at
Baghdad International Airport, BIAP CC, this facility is getting the
necessary renovation by MNC-I and will be ready by the end of 2007.
IACCI will manage the facility and our first project is the first ever
tradeshow and conference on POWER in Iraq, planned for March 2008 in
cooperation and support by the Iraqi Ministries of Oil and Electricity.
Conferences & Seminars:
IACCI holds a series of networking and lectures
in our new facilities outfitted with the latest state of the art meeting
rooms and at other times when larger facilities where required we held
seminars and conferences in larger meeting halls like the Baghdad
Convention Center with some 1000 attendees at a time in some cases. Some
20 meetings were held just in the last six months and many more are
planned for the future. A good example is the Program Management Office
“PMO” where we had several networking sessions between our members and
the Prime Contractors. $18.6 billion is committed by the United States
to help rebuild Iraq and those Prime Contractors are looking for
qualified Iraqi contractors to participate as subcontractors for the
work ahead.
Our next major conference on employment generation at Rashid Hotel,
Baghdad, July 24th where we are working with MNC-I and MOLSA and Iraqi
private sector to create jobs of youth and especially VOTCH graduates
Next is our third annual investment conference in kurdisatn were we will
focuses on POWER, coming up in August, 2007 .
Lead Generation:
Dedicated staff will help our members get all the leads
they need to contact companies in the United States using Thomas
Register, with some 165,000 companies. This service will expand to other
countries as we acquire other directories. Members will tell us with
they are looking for in products, brand names etc and we will do the
rest.
Dun & Bradstreet:
IACCI will help its members receive Dun & Bradstreet,
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) numbers. Those certifications and
qualifications are often required to do business with Prime Contractors
and foreign companies.
International Accounting Standards:
IACCI has signed a major agreement
with a United States company to offer accounting services using Quick
Books software which has the widest use among US companies. We will send
our team of trained accountants in Quick Books to your company to gather
all relevant data enter the data and validate the numbers to issue
Financial Statements on your company. All statements will be sending to
the United States for authentication and certification by a Certified
Public Accountant (CPA). The final product will have complete “Financial
Statement” with Balance Sheet and Income Statement, notarized and
reviewed by an expert CPA. This vital financial document can be used to
submit with other qualifying documents to all foreign companies that
require this data to help them evaluate your company’s financial
strength for potential partnership and business contracts.
International Drivers License:
IACCI has a special relationship with
International Driver License authority in Baghdad, Iraq, and all our
members can obtain it though us. This document can be very useful
driving in other countries and as Iraqis enjoy the freedom of mobility
as other citizens in the world, this document will accepted more .
Web Sites:
Company web site is essential tool for all, regardless of
your company size, you need to have a professionally designed web site
for customers and others to reach you, email is not enough, your company
accomplishments, business type, contact information must be presented in
the best light possible. Our dedicated team of web site designers can
help you with your project from domain registration, hosting, special
emails, and design, ask us and we will be glad to help. Site
Registration, Development and Hosting: IACCI has signed a major contract
with a United States company to offer its members a complete web design,
implementation and registration. IACCI has a large staff of IT people to
help you in the process of developing your special web site, by working
with you to choose the content and style of your web site. Additionally
we will link your web site to IACCI web site and highlight the fact that
you are a member. IACCI web site receives over 1500 visitors per day and
additionally all our members need to log into our web site to reach
their IACCI email which means more possibilities for members to be
contacted by other companies interested in doing business with them. The
internet is the most significant business tool in the world today and as
you position your company for growth and opportunity you must consider
this offer and evaluate the year long potential from having your company
web site connected to IACCI web site.
Account Manager (Customer service):
IACCI will designate a dedicated
“Account Manager” to serve members in all their needs. IACCI Account
Manager will visit Business Members and collect vital data as he/she
gets to know top management to help build a portfolio of capabilities
and services offered by those members and then promote their services
and products to other Iraqi members and foreign companies. Customer
Service is number one in our book and many of our members like how we
take care of them and come back to venue their membership, Year after
year.
Surveys, Technical Studies:
IACCI will periodically conduct surveys,
publish technical studies, develop needs assessment, and make
recommendations on the state of private business in Iraq. Our first
study “Business Outlook in Iraq” was conducted in May of 2003; the study
published and covered twenty cities in Iraq and was commissioned by the
US Chamber of Commerce and later used at the donor conference in Madrid,
Spain to encourage donor nations to rebuild Iraq.
Training:
TADRIB Iraq is an extension of the Iraqi American Chamber of
Commerce and Industry's (IACCI) vision and mission. IACCI training
initiatives are well-known in Baghdad and throughout other parts of Iraq
as “TADRIB Iraq” – Training and Development Resources Initiative for
Business in Iraq. TADRIB Iraq’s overarching goal is to provide “training
and development for all Iraqis that leads to increased employability and
overall economic growth.”
IACCI has been offering professional training for almost four years.
During this time, it has completed over 550 courses given to Iraqi
private individuals, university students, heads of companies, ministry
and state company officials, IACCI members, and company staff. Included
in this figure are 120 courses given to unemployed persons in
partnership with USAID contractors Louis Berger Group (VEEG) and
International Relief and Development “IRD” (CSP), 15 courses with the
partnership of International Organization of Migration "IOM", and over
275 courses given for over 24 industrial companies owned by the Ministry
of Industry in partnership with the US Military.
The vision of TADRIB Iraq is to see the Iraqi public sector official
standing alongside the Iraqi private-sector businessperson and to see
both of them on equal footing with their international counterparts.
Having been cut off from the rest of the world for such a long period of
time, Iraq lacks familiarity with certain practices, languages, and
communication skills that have become central and essential to
conducting business in the world today. IACCI aims to equip Iraqi
trainees with necessary communication, computer, and business
development skills, so that these men and women will be effective key
players in the rebuilding of their country’s economy.
The total number of students trained to date by IACCI reaches to over
10,000 in nearly four years of work. IACCI has trained in 15 Iraqi
ministries and regularly contracts with private and state companies to
train mid- and senior-level managers.
Company Report:
IACCI company report is our new way top help our members
have all they need to present their company in the best light possible,
the report consisting of 10 pages documents all relevant data about the
from financials, management, products and services, projects, goals and
objectives and presents material in a nice printed document, all
original backup documentations are checked by IACCI membership
department. This service is offered to our distinguished members for
free and is updated as required.
Business Edge:
Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IACCI) is
proud to be the exclusive provider of International Finance
Corporation’s Business Edge Program in Iraq. These dynamic seminars aim
to improve capacity of businesses across the full spectrum of Iraq’s
economy.
WHAT IS BUSINESS EDGE?
Business Edge is the brand name for International
Finance Corporation’s (IFC) international range of management training
products and services, specially designed for mid-level to upper-level
business managers. Business Edge includes 36 different management
seminars in 5 different categories, namely: Marketing, Human Resources,
Production & Operations, Finance & Accounting, and Productivity Skills.
IFC designed this curriculum
• Based on first-rate international material from the global market
• As a practical means by which owners/managers can improve their
efficiency and profitability.
• To be customized to fit the local business environment (i.e. the
materials are in Arabic with local business examples)
The IFC Business Edge product range includes 36 self-study management
workbooks, trainer manuals and train-the-trainer workshops, to local
training providers. IACCI’s trainers use the Business Edge products as a
foundation in designing their unique and innovative training seminars.
EMAIL:
IACCI issues a special email to all its members with 10 MB space,
free of all advertising and with virus protection. For example if your
name is Ali then you can have an email like ali@i-acci.org and you can
log into your email on our web site www.http://i-acci.org. This gives
you as a member a professional email rather than free emails like yahoo
or hotmail that are available to anyone. You can use IACCI email to
communicate with clients or prospective customer to project an image of
professionalism and prestige.
Communication: Special and frequent emails are sent to all members
alerting them to significant events to facilitate participation on a
quick notice. Communication in Iraq is very difficult and at times we at
IACCI do massive phone contacts and email our members to alert them to
significant events and all members are encouraged and required to check
their IACCI email on a regular basis.
Amman, Jordan: IACCI has maintained offices in Amman for the last two
years, with so many of members moving between Iraq and Jordan and the
special trading relationship between the two neighboring countries we
needed to do that. Planes are underway to open more offices in Dubai and
Cairo. Next time you are in Amman stop by and ask us to help you.
www.iacciamman.com
Tenders:
IACCI has been very active to offer its members access to
tenders in Iraq, our Arbil office has access first hand and before
tenders are published in the local paper to all KRG tenders in
Kurdistan. Our relationship with MNF-I, COR and MNC-I allow us to offer
tenders to our members and hold special bed conferences at our new BIAP
BC, www.iraqbiz.info as well as our relationship with Iraqi ministries
where they also cooperate with us to offer tenders.
VISA CARD :
Today every business professional must carry a charge card
instead of the old fashion cash, many places throughout the world
require it even when you have cash, and it will also help you cover
unexpected expenses when you are away from home. IACCI maintains special
relationship with TBI, Iraq Trade Bank, www.tbiraq.com to offer the
first VISA card in Iraq. Our distinguished members get the card for free
and our gold plus members get $500 deposit in their account also. Stop
by and get the details
Job Creation:
IACCI is involved in creating more jobs for qualified
professionals in all fields and we believe there is nothing more
important than to have more jobs to create opportunities to the widest
number of professionals and then help those professionals increase their
standard of living by increasing their pay scale. To that end we have a
dedicated team at IACCI which interviews individuals, collect resumes
and help with resume preparation and interview skills and then enter all
data into a large database that can be used to offer foreign and Iraqi
companies a pool of qualified employees. Our facilities are also
available for prospective employers to interview potential candidates.
In our own organization we have been able to increase our staff from few
to over 130 in a matter of one year and also increase pay scales by 400%
in some cases but never less than 25% in all cases and this is a
standard part of our employment contract.
Iraqi Ministries:
IACCI has a very strong relationship with all Iraqi
ministries and we dedicate a team of our staff to call on all ministries
to establish a strong relationship and cooperation between the
ministries, their departments and our members. Ministry officials
participate in our seminars, conferences, trade shows and committees to
help our members receive firsthand knowledge and access to important
officials and help the ministries become more users friendly and
assessable to the business community. In our DBX trade show we offered
all ministries free booth space and helped with visual aids and coached
them on ways to improve their communication with foreign and Iraqi
companies. This effort will continue and strengthen as we offer the
ministries free web site development, registration and hosting to
improve communication between the ministry and the outside world. In
past years the majority of business was conducted by the government and
as Iraq becomes more independent and stable, and as significant revenues
derived from oil and gas revenues become available, we see the public
sector becoming more vital and significant component of business
development in Iraq. Therefore we will devote the appropriate resources
to make government more transparent and easier to work with for the
private sector.
Kurdistan Offices of Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
IACCI maintains two offices in Arbil and Sulaimaniyah to serve our
members in the area. Many of our members are relocating to Kurdistan or
at least opining branch office and in addition we have over 700 members
in the area. Our activities are many including our annual Kurdistan
Investment Conference and our annual DBX Kurdistan Tradeshow in November
in the city of Sulaimaniyah with an investment of over $3 million in
2006.
Buying Power:
IACCI has obtained a special discount to its members from
shipping companies like DHL, FedEx and others like banks, insurance
companies to help them utilize Group Baying Power. A dedicate team of
our organization will work with vendors and members are encouraged to
become suppliers in this program by making special arrangements with
IACCI to offer our 6000 members special discounts. By having this
special win relationship where members can show their IACCI ID can get
excellent discounts from reputable venders verified by IACCI and venders
get the extra sales from this significant buying power. A special
directory will be issued to all members to list such services and all
participating merchants can buy additional space to advertise their
products and services.
Free Trade:
First biweekly all business news publication in Iraq: Free
Trade newspaper is a vehicle to promote investment and opportunity in
Iraq through its editorial, factual statistics and studies,
investigative reporting, success stories focusing on SME’s in Iraq that
bravely managed to grow and succeed in spite of the odds against them
and where they can inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
As we wetness the transformation of Iraq from decades of neglect and
totalitarianism into a free society based on freedom of expression,
democracy, free trade and the rule of law . Iraq will require massive
infusion of capital and investment in all fields and sectors from
infrastructure, upgrading and training human capital to rebuild Iraq,
one thing remains missing and that is a reliable vehicle to disseminate
business and economics information and data in a reliable and accurate
fashion and distributed widely to the largest possible audience in the
business community, public sector inside Iraq and willing and eager
investors from outside Iraq.
Free Trade started its first issue and from this humble beginning today
it continues to publish a biweekly issue with eight pages, with a staff
of five and is the only publication that addresses business issues in
Iraq.
Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry presently publishes Free
Trade newspaper a biweekly publication dedicate to cover business news,
rebuilding Iraq stories and reports, success stories with SME’s,
relevant facts and figures on business opportunities, employment
opportunities, government works, educational and training opportunities
and other significant and related issues to the rebuilding of Iraq.
Free Trade is widely sought as the only place to have all business news
on Iraq but we still have ways to go and many requirements that must to
be addressed to make Free Trade truly unique and invaluable contribution
to Free Enterprise in Iraq.
“Free Trade”, an innovative newspaper espousing the principles of new
Iraq built on the foundation of free trade and higher standards of
living for all Iraqis. Which can only happen if more Iraqis are
committed to the value of freedom, personal responsibility and
cooperation? Free Trade mission is focusing on the value of free trade
and economic freedom.
Free Trade editorial content includes:
In-depth investigative reporting
on areas of opportunity for Free Trade like Iraq joining the World trade
Organization (WTO), success stories of governmental or private sector
where the principles of Free Trade and transparency are working as well
as areas where restrictive policies and laws are still in effect.
Special issues focusing on Industry, Trade, Investment, Banking, Oil and
Iraq Rebuilding. Free Trade is an advocacy type of publication working
with 18 IACCI committees to tackle all sorts of industry specific
obstacles and ways to promote Free Trade in those sectors.
Work closely with Iraqi ministries to make them customer friendly,
transparent and responsive to the private sector in Iraq. Promote
special relationship with the US and develop more cooperation and
understanding between the two business communities through bilateral
trade delegations (where FT has recently taken the largest single trade
delegation of some 35 Iraqi business men and women to the United States
to attend the largest construction expo Con Expo in Las Vegas, NV and
additional conferences in cooperation with the Beverly Hills chamber of
commerce in Los Angeles) and for the benefit of the entire Middle East
emphasizing democracy, personal freedom, freedom of the press,
responsible citizenship.
Today Free Trade is twenty-four pages full colors biweekly newspaper
printed in Arabic and English with some of the best and brightest
journalist and research analyst with PhD degrees in economics,
commercial law, and journalism. Our motto at IACCI is “Impossible is
Nothing” and we practice and live by it every day.
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“Impossible is Nothing” is not just a slogan or set of empty words
but a truth that all of us at IACCI strive to live by and experience
every working day. We at the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce &
Industry have shown the way to be an inspiration to others. It is
moments like these that we reflect on and witness the incredible times
we are currently experiencing in Iraq as we live here. It is dangerous
and challenging, yet for the first time we can see the light at the end
of the tunnel. We can see things that we only dreamed of before where we
can learn, grow, be free and pursue our ideals. We at the Iraqi American
Chamber of Commerce and Industry want to embody this vision for a better
Iraq built on effort, ambition, hard work and rewards.
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Commerce and industry as well as governmental and non-governmental
organizations (NGO) have been active in capacity building in Iraq by
providing training, education, jobs and economic growth. The Iraqi
American Chamber of Commerce and Industry addresses a wide range of
issues and programs, including trade facilitation, training including
vocational and educational programs, data management, evaluation and
survey instruments, women’s empowerment and training, and the
development of the private sector by facilitating relationships between
international and Iraqi investors, Iraqi companies and the Iraqi
Ministries including regional and local level offices.
Since the beginning of the US presence in 2003, there have been a number
of attempts to establish business centers and civil society institutions
to assist the evolution of the Iraqi business community away from a
government-controlled mentality toward privatized business initiatives.
The role played by these kinds of organizations is essential in leading
the way for change and for strengthening the Iraqi business private
sector. The successful establishment of these types of institutions
requires an administrative body characterized by a combination of a
number of key elements: extreme knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural
climate of Iraq, extensive familiarity with both western and eastern
business practices, concrete capabilities with an entrepreneurial sense
to implement programs and projects, ability to operate and maintain
accessibility in an environment that is not secure or stable and
finally, and dedicated commitment to succeed.
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Mission Statement
IACCI's primary mission is two-fold: A) the creation of new business
through networking forums, and B) building the capacity of key Iraqi
private and public sector elements that are necessary to growing the
overall national capacity to support a vital private sector in Iraq.
IACCI aims to invigorate the small business community in Iraq by
bringing businesses together and moving them forward in a proactive and
constructive manner. In doing this we are promoting open-market economy
and a democratic political system in Iraq. This will ensure that access
to the market is open and fair.
IACCI promotes transparency, accountability and that the rule of law is
enforced in Iraq. A strong business community is based on business
associations having an audible voice in the policy-making process. This
will contribute to the growth of participatory civil society and the
development of a regulatory and policy environment conducive to private
enterprise.
Goals
• Promote open-market economy in Iraq through a competitive system
where the rules are the same for all participants, corruption is
eliminated and transparency and accountability are strengthened.
• Build simplified compliance systems for small businesses by fostering
the participation of business groups in the day-to-day process of
government decision-making and developing laws and institutions
necessary for an open market-oriented economy.
• Facilitate access to and establish consistent long term relationships
between the private sector and the Iraq Ministries for the purpose of
progressive commerce and trade implementation and practices.
• Serve as a catalyst concerning the reactivation of the professional
associations and guilds including the Iraqi Industrial Federation, the
Contractors Union and the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce by
conducting free and fair elections to promote the emergence of
representative intermediaries.
• Encourage entrepreneurial climate and culture in addition to expanding
access to business and economic information necessary for informed
decision-making.
• Development and fundraising for specific projects in support of the
organization of networking events, professional development education,
training, policy related events and other crucial projects as needed, to
support and compliment the goals of IACCI, its members and the private
sector community in Iraq.
• Promote the development of certain public sector elements that are key
to the success of the establishment of an environment that allows the
private sector to flourish in Iraq. This is done through training and
awareness programs.
• To assist and establish long term US policy orientation towards Iraq
on Congressional, White House and Governmental Agency levels including
delegate visitation.
• Facilitate access to an economic focused relationship between the
private sectors of Iraq and the international community through “Free
Trade” magazine (IACCI’s premier commerce and industry trade
publication), educational seminars and programs, events including the
EXPO Trade Show, cross-cultural activities and high level economic
programs for the benefit of expanded long term sustainable growth,
investment and expansion of the commerce, technology, industry, civil
society and private sectors in Iraq.
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Since 2003, the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce has expanded to
become a highly respected, professional, full service organization
approaching 7,000 Iraqi and international membership including Iraqi
Ministries and local governments. This networking is crucial to the
capability of providing sustainable services. From the beginning, IACCI
has implemented capacity building components within the organization
itself to include staff training and development, especially with young
people. The staff has grown from a small group back in 2003 to over 250
full time employees. This number swells to over 300 or more during
special projects such as the trade show “EXPO” and other equally large
projects. IACCI has four offices in Iraq, a branch in Jordan and an
office in the United States. IACCI’s expertise in Iraq:
• Strategic planning and logistics
• Iraq Ministries Public Relations and Advocacy
• Grants management
• Program design and implementation
• Resource development and management
• Networking both governmental and trade including NGO
• “Train the Trainer” programs
• Civil Society and Iraqi business training and education
• Cross-cultural communication and facilitation
• Financial planning and training
• International and indigenous public relations
• Capacity building through seminars, conferences and delegations
• Technical assistance
• Engineering design and management
• Construction project design and implementation
• Job Creation including Iraqi Job Databank and Career Development
Counseling
• Media, marketing, advertising and graphic arts
• Public Relations and Media Relations
• Publication development and publishing
• IT programming, design and training
• IACCI Training and Development Resources Initiative for Business in
Iraq (TADRIB Iraq)
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Coordination on a local level between governments, international and
Iraqi organizations, businesses and civil society is the key to
sustainable growth and rebuilding of Iraq. Iraq is a recovering country,
sensitive to pluralistic ethnic and religious groups, political entities
and outside elements influencing economic growth. This resulted in the
need for an indigenous leader and role model. The Iraqi American Chamber
of Commerce has become a key central organization of co-operative
companies, organizations and governmental agencies working together
successfully in rebuilding Iraq through business development, training
of a diversity of workers, program development and management through a
natural synergy. The US and Coalition forces (Provincial Reconstruction
Teams –PRT’s) working in Iraq heavily consult with IACCI on economic
development projects and matters related to business generation in
Baghdad and all over Iraq.
The Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce is best known for its reputation
and work in providing business development support and a networking
foundation to all levels of the economic society including the Iraqi
Ministries, the regional and local governments and the remarkable
diversity of industries throughout Iraq including, but by no means
limited to the following:
Wholesale Trade of Durable and Nondurable Goods, Heavy Construction
equipment, Special Trade Contractors, Miscellaneous Store Retailers,
Crop Production, Truck Transportation, Real Estate, Scientific and
Technical Services, General Merchandise Stores, Automotive (new dealer
and service industries), Food Manufacturing, Electrical Equipment,
Appliance, and Component Manufacturing, Utilities, Furniture and Home
Furnishings Stores, Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing,
Hospitals and Health care industry, Animal Production?, Wood Product
Manufacturing, Building, Developing, and General Contracting, Fabricated
Metal Product Manufacturing, Water Transportation, Warehousing and
Storage, Machinery Manufacturing, Apparel Manufacturing, Printing and
Related Support Activities, Broadcasting and Telecommunications,
Information Services and Data Processing Services, Computer and
Electronic Product Manufacturing, Textile Mills, Textile Product Mills,
Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores, Transportation Equipment
Manufacturing.
IACCI leverages its relationships with the Iraqi ministries, with whom
it has been interfacing since the beginning of its formation. In
addition the IACCI has strong relations with the US Government agencies
in the I-Zone, the US and Coalition military and their contractors, the
other foreign commercial missions, and the Iraqi business associations.
Currently, IACCI is providing assistance with the execution of economic
development projects at the Baghdad International Airport as well as in
and around Baghdad (including Taji and Iskandiriya), Kirkuk, Mosul, Al-Anbar
Province (Ramadi), and throughout southern Iraq with these agencies. The
Chamber also works with regional and local governments (the Kurdistan
Regional Government), non-governmental organizations, communities,
military and security forces, hospitals and schools, including
universities, in order to make positive changes through economic
development on a civil society level.
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IACCI has extensive experience in its last four years of operations in a
volatile Iraq. Project management has included the management of
large-scale training programs, grant programs, arranging and organizing
logistics for major events involving numerous different parties -
private sector and government over a geographic scope spanning the
entire country, extensive training both educational and vocations,
international trade and development, and renovation and facility
building.
IACCI has extensive experience in its last four years of operations in a
volatile Iraq. Project management has included the management of
large-scale training programs, grant programs, arranging and organizing
logistics for major events involving numerous different parties -
private sector and government over a geographic scope spanning the
entire country, extensive training both educational and vocations,
international trade and development, and renovation and facility
building.
One excellent example was the Kurdistan DBX international trade show and
conference held in Erbil, Iraq in 2005, and in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq in
2006. At both events, there were approximately 94,000 people in
attendance over a three day period who visited over 600 exhibitors.
Challenges involved in the Kurdistan DBX Trade Show and Conference were
numerous. IACCI was able to take into consideration and find solutions
for:
1. Provision of the venue, when there was no suitable venue to be found
in either Erbil or Sulaimaniyah,
2. Provision of adequate suitable accommodations, when the number of
people that the hosting city can accommodate is extremely limited (not
more than 300 rooms at 4-star level),
3. Transportation of international attendees coming from outside of Iraq
to allow them to reach the venue, (this is in a situation where the
international airport had not been accredited until just weeks before
the event was scheduled to take place), and
4. Security provision for some 5000 participants located in multiple
venues throughout the host city, when all of the country was
experiencing random attacks of terrorist insurgents.
IACCI’s result for the above lay in effective organization and problem
solving with multiple parties involved in the production of the event.
The following are some examples of the ability of the Chamber on
organizing and problem solving:
• The exhibition hall for the event was constructed under direct
supervision of IACCI Executive Vice President and engineer, Yousif Al-Hardan
in a record time of two months, involving importation of materials from
neighboring Turkey and organization of over 100 laborers.
• In coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government, IACCI was able
to secure the use of over 500 rooms for the trade show participants in
the brand new housing complex constructed for use of the Sulaimaniyah
University for its students.
• With regards to transportation, IACCI was able to negotiate with
Kurdistan Regional Airlines to change their flight schedules to
accommodate direct flights from Dubai to Erbil and later Sulaimaniyah
that coincided with the opening dates of the event.
• Finally, regarding security, IACCI coordinated with the Kurdistan
Regional Government to ensure that intense security measures were in
place at each of the venues for the event, including sniffing-dogs for
explosives and modern electronic detection equipment. The Kurdistan
Peshmerga army was mobilized to protect the cities of Erbil and later
Sulaimaniyah, entrance points into the governate, roadways, and all
venues.
This was a challenging accomplishment yet characterizes IACCI’s capacity
to coordinate the diversity of team players needed to build such a huge
event and included vocational training of workers.
Trade event projects continue with upcoming events for fall of 2007 and
Spring of 2008. IACCI is has constructed a brand new facility in
Sulaimaniyah for the 2nd Annual Kurdistan DBX Trade Show which occurred
there in November of 2006. The project involved mobilization of
construction firms and coordination with the Sulaimaniyah Chamber of
Commerce and Regional Government. In addition to the Kurdistan show,
IACCI is beginning preparations for the Destination Baghdad Expo (DBX)
in the Baghdad International Airport for April of 2008, in cooperation
with the Multi-National Corps of the US Military, the Iraqi Airways, and
Iraqi Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation. Preparations for
this event involve establishing hotel accommodations and expo and
conference facilities which is currently underway.
TADRIB
Another example of a strong project was the TADRIB Iraq Project which
involved the training of 2900 Iraqis in four months in English
communication and computer skills
TADRIB – Training and Capacity Development
Another example of a strong project was the TADRIB Iraq Project which
involved the training of 2900 Iraqis in four months in English
communication and computer skills. This involved the opening of two
independent training centers in addition to the center already existing
in the IACCI headquarters. Since that time, TADRIB has trained over
10,000 Iraqi professionals in a wide number of subjects.
The TADRIB mission statement is as follows: “Training and Development
for all Iraqis that leads to increased employability and overall
economic growth.” TADRIB is an Arabic word meaning “training,” and is an
acronym standing for “Training and Development Resources Initiative for
Business.”
TADRIB goal is to truly fulfill the second part of the IACCI mission to
raise the capacity of the Iraqi private sector to conduct business with
global skills. IACCI has found, however, that raising the private sector
capabilities necessitates attention given to the public sector as well
to ensure that cooperation between the two will be mutually beneficial
and not of a competitive nature.
True to the initial vision of the IACCI training program, IACCI has
consistently offered courses to the Iraqi Ministries, Iraqi businessmen
and women, its members and the public sector since the inception of the
training program at IACCI in January of 2003. Training was first
provided through a self-funded pilot project involving US teachers, then
continued through a grant from the Center for International Private
Enterprise (CIPE), and finally grafted in to the TADRIB Iraq training
program, kicked off through a contracting arrangement with Louis Berger
Group (prime contractor for USAID). Over the course of the past year,
IACCI has contracted with several companies and organizations to provide
training in communications skills to Iraqi officials and company
employees. Excluding the USAID prime contracting partners, these
companies include Orascom Telecom (Iraqna), Center for International
Private Enterprise (CIPE), US Coalition Forces and the International
Organization for Migration (IOM).
In all cases, training courses are provided in facilities that are
well-equipped for classroom training, such as white-boards, and
projectors with the necessary computer accessories. The halls are clean,
comfortable and air conditioned. The training may occur in the
community, or provided in the IACCI Training Facility located in
Arrassat Al-Hindiya. This Training facility has been established through
funds appropriated by USAID under the Vocational Training and Employment
Generation project. The facility is fully equipped to handle large
numbers of trainees, and is comprised of four main lecture halls, and a
large computer lab facility, complete with all necessary implements
required for lectures and classroom demonstrations.
The IACCI has an accomplished network of experts and consultants able to
conduct training and education for all levels of society in addition to
business application workshops. This network of consultants, experts and
professional trainers includes specialties in computer technology,
English and other language courses, conflict resolution with Iraqi
ethnic-religious approaches, cross-cultural communications, and peace
building programs. The various vocational trainings include sewing and
apparel, construction, masonry, electrical engineering, materials
handling, retail, and educational development with local and western
frameworks.
IACCI offers a line of professional business-related courses including:
Human Resource Management, Art of Negotiation, General Administration,
Project Management, Financial Management, Internet Computer Core Courses
and Website Design, to name a few.
As
of September, 2006, IACCI has been offering a new line of 35 different
professional courses that are known as the “Business Edge” series, in
partnership with the International
Finance Corporation (IFC) as IFC’s exclusive training provider in Iraq.
As of March, 2007, over 4,500 small business owners, aspiring
professionals, and state-company employees have been trained in the
Business Edge program. It is administered by a dedicated staff of 60
persons, of which 50 are instructors.
In addition to the IFC Business Edge certification, IACCI offers joint
certifications of completion with CIPE, IOM, USAID, IRD, and various
Iraqi ministries. IACCI is aspiring to become a Cambridge Center, able
to offer certification from Cambridge University in the near future.
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IACCI is a prime contractor with US Government, carrying out a number
of projects that involve training and consulting efforts for both the US
Department of State (Embassy) and the Coalition Forces. Over the course
of the last year, IACCI has successfully maintained execution of the
following projects:
Training and Consulting with MNF-I
IACCI is a prime contractor with US Government, carrying out a number of
projects that involve training and consulting efforts for both the US
Department of State (Embassy) and the Coalition Forces. Over the course
of the last year, IACCI has successfully maintained execution of the
following projects:
• Best Practice Business Seminars for Iraqi Ministry of Industry State
Owned Enterprises (SOE’s). This project was initiated in November of
2006 with the goal of training the administration staff of over 23 SOE’s
in and surrounding the Baghdad area. Participants have received training
in 16 of the IFC Business Edge modules as well as basic computer
operations. The goal of the 6-month program is to boost the capacity of
the factory leadership to employ more efficient and complex business
practices to process orders that will result in the re-hiring of
thousands of unemployed persons.
• Iraq Vocational Education and Training Program. IACCI has conducted
detailed assessments and mobilization plans for 8 vocational training
centers throughout Iraq belonging to the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and
Social Affairs. The assessments and plans resulted in the purchase of
millions of dollars of equipment for the centers as well as extensive
renovations to prepare them for maximum efficient use to train
unemployed persons in productive skills. Center locations were in
Kirkuk, Mosul, Basra (2), Nasriya, Najaf, Kut, and Iskandiriya.
• Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) Business Center. IACCI is
contracted with the US Military Civil Affairs to operate the BIAP
business
center, leveraging the safe environment that the BIAP area provides to
promote trade and economic development in Baghdad. Services the center
offers include conference and networking organization, email and
internet, ATM from TBI, express mail (DHL and FedEx), business
consulting, training, and passenger support for travelers.
• Task Force for Business Stability Operations (TFBSO) in Iraq (known as
the “Brinkley Team”) Support. IACCI has supported the efforts of the
TFBSO with the collection and provision of detailed information on the
SOE’s in which IACCI has actively consulted and trained to assist in
their development.
• English Training for Iraqi Officials. IACCI is providing training to
key employees in over 13 Iraqi ministries and key government offices
with IRMO of the US Embassy. This project is underway and will involve
training over 2500 officials in the English language before July of 2007
as a part of a capacity-building effort focusing now on raising the
capabilities of the Iraqi government to perform effectively.
• Municipal Council Training in Baghdad. IACCI has been contracted to
provide training in basic public administration for newly-hired
permanent Baghdad neighborhood council employees covering all of Baghdad
and the surrounding areas.
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IACCI is currently a team member with USAID prime contractor
International Relief and Development (IRD), working on the Community
Stabilization Program (known as “CSP”) involving generating employment
and the creation of new businesses in strategic cities and areas in
Iraq.
NAJAH – New Alternatives for Justice, Achievement, and Hope
IACCI
is currently a team member with USAID prime contractor International
Relief and Development (IRD), working on the Community Stabilization
Program (known as “CSP”) involving generating employment and the
creation of new businesses in strategic cities and areas in Iraq. IACCI
is the Business Development implementing partner in CSP, operating under
the name “NAJAH.” This includes business training and the distribution
of a number of small and micro grants to new and existing business to
promote employment generation. Current and complete activities with CSP
include the following:
• Training of 290 unemployed persons in the Rusafa District of Baghdad
in ESL, IT, and Business Skills.
• Implementation of a Small and Micro Grants Program in Baghdad
targeting strategic neighborhoods. Grant awards are up to $15,000. Goals
are to award approximately $5 Million in grants over the next year.
• Training of 875 unemployed persons in the Kadhemiya, Adhemiya, Mansour,
Jihad/Bayaa, and Dora districts in Baghdad in Business Planning,
Secretarial Skills, Accountancy Skills, and PR/Sales skills. Goal of the
program is to make possible the employment of a minimum of 35% of the
trainees.
• Training of 1000 unemployed persons in Kirkuk in Business Planning,
Secretarial Skills, Accountancy Skills, and PR/Sales skills. Goal of the
program is to make possible the employment of a minimum of 35% of the
trainees.
• Training of 400 unemployed persons in Business Planning and award of
grants to approximately 77 persons in AL-Anbar province (Ramadi and
Fallujah). Grant awards are up to $50,000. Goals are to award
approximately $700,000 in grants over the next year.
• Training of an additional 600 unemployed persons in the Karrada, 9
Nisan, Sadr City and surrounding districts in Baghdad in Business
Planning, Secretarial Skills, Accountancy Skills, and PR/Sales skills.
Goal of the program is to make possible the employment of a minimum of
35% of the trainees.
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IACCI prides itself on its interaction with both youth and women.
IACCI’s staff and members represent a remarkable number of women and
young people. The Chamber offers deep discounts to women members and
encourages them to be a mentor for the younger and less experienced
women and girls. Furthermore, IACCI is known for their required staff
trainings for all staff, driving them to success with higher educational
goals and skills. IACCI works with many Iraqi based women’s groups
including specialized gender-oriented nongovernmental organizations for
the purpose of promoting women’s issues and progress in the private
sector and civil society.
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The first objective of the trade facilitation is to increase foreign
direct investment which is crucial to achieving higher rates of
sustained economic growth. It enhances opportunities for Iraq’s private
sector firms to build strong economic structure, acquire new
technologies, develop modern organizations, and gain access to overseas
markets. It will allow Iraqi economy to expand businesses, create
higher-paying jobs, generate exports, and increase government revenues.
On this level, IACCI has conducted and is currently organizing several
conferences to promote new investment laws issued by the central and
regional governments to disperse information to potential investors.
The second objective is to generate concern and increase activity on the
part of Iraqi companies to invest in their own country and seize the
opportunities at hand. This entails improving the present opportunities,
creating new opportunities and taking an active role in initiating
international business contacts. These steps have resulted with
increased investment, sustainability and creation of jobs in Iraq.
The third objective is to facilitate the concerns of the Iraqi business
community to have a voice in the creation and amending of government
trade policies. IAACI’s participation in commerce and industry provides
the Iraqi business community with a sense of self-empowerment, through
education and assistance in the development of effective marketing
materials including the provision of opportunities for interaction with
the international communities through trade-show venues, trade
delegations, strategic commercial correspondence, and other networking
kinds of events.
The IACCI continues to adjust and react to the ever-changing Iraqi
environment. Taking initiative, IACCI has organized, (self-) funded, and
begun implementing the following programs that have a direct impact on
the achievement of its objectives:
• Networking
• International Delegations
• Iraqi Delegations
• Vetting
• Surveys, Studies
• Iraqi Ministries
• Job Development and Career Support
• EXPO and Trade Show Organization
• International and Iraqi Conferences & Seminars
• Lead Generation
• Monthly News Magazine, Free Trade
• Weekly Newspaper, Free Trade
• Mass Communication
• IACCI Buying Power
An example of IACCI’s abilities in the field of trade facilitation and
job development is the organization of the Iraqi delegation to the US in
March, 2005, for the CONEXPO/CONAGG trade show in Las Vegas. According
to the US DOC, this delegation was the “largest (private sector)
delegation of Iraqis to the United States EVER,” and it was coordinated
and chiefly organized by IACCI, cooperating with US government and
private sector organizations including the DOC, Beverly Hills Chamber,
VEGA (USAID contractor), FCS in Baghdad, US Embassy in Jordan, and
multiple service providing companies.
Private Sector
Is there any report on Iraq private sector? Yes, a study entitled:
“Strong Optimism for Economic Growth: Results from a Survey of the
Conditions and Expectations for Private Enterprise in Iraq”
Yes, a study entitled: “Strong Optimism for Economic Growth: Results
from a Survey of the Conditions and Expectations for Private Enterprise
in Iraq”
In August 2003, the IRAQIAMERICAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry
conducted a field survey of the Iraqi small and medium sized business
sector to assess the current economic environment in Iraq, solicit their
views on the impediments to economic growth, and gauge their business
plans for a post-Baathist economy. This survey was commissioned by the
US Chamber of Commerce to help evaluate the business conditions in the
private sector in Iraq. Already on the streets of every city in Iraq, a
renewed life is evident. Entrepreneurial spirit is blossoming because of
a widespread belief that conditions will improve despite current
difficulties in the security situation, unclear property rights, and
legal and traditional barriers to entrepreneurship.
This survey represented the first effort to gather the views of the
Iraqi business sector of Iraq. It provides an outlook on the short and
long term economic picture, establish reconstruction priorities, and
identify future areas for improvement. Its intended audience is
Coalition and Iraqi policy-makers, the international community,
non-governmental organizations now operating in Iraq, and, most
importantly, the Iraqi private sector itself.
The survey found that the Iraqi business community holds a strongly
optimistic outlook on future economic growth. A resounding 58% of those
surveyed believe that the economy will be better in six months.
Unfortunately, employment has suffered since the recent military action,
but it is already showing signs of recovery. For the complete survey
results see the IACCI website (www.i-acci.org).
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The IACCI is known and respected for their exceptional and extensive
databases concerning commerce, industry, statistics and job listings.
IACCI employs over 20 staff to continuously update, maintain and develop
new databases for use by commerce, industry, the Iraqi Ministries,
international organizations and governments. Prior to 2003, there were
few resources concerning private sector, commerce and industry and civil
society.
Furthermore, IACCI conducts surveys, market research studies, needs
assessments, technical studies and makes recommendations on the economic
state of Iraq including private sector in commerce and industry.
Commissioned by the US Chamber of Commerce and later used at the donor
conference in Madrid, Spain to encourage donor nations to rebuild Iraq,
the first study “Business Outlook in Iraq” was conducted back in May of
2003.
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IACCI continues to move ahead with the development of its programs
to promote a vital private sector-based economy in Iraq. Plans are
underway to open a major and active branch in Dubai to reach out to the
thriving regional business hub that is there. IACCI hopes to leverage
its experience in business match-making along with its facilities at
BIAP and in Sulaimaniyah to encourage foreign companies and investors to
actually come to Iraq, laying the foundation for future and prosperous
business relationships.
In addition to this, IACCI looks to continue to support the efforts of
the coalition and international community to see Iraq stabilize and
develop through vital participation in programs that lead to this end.
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Below is a partial list of projects, programs, involvements,
accomplishments of the IACCI including a partial listing of partners,
supporters and relationships.
IACCI Strategy Committees:
Banking, Finance & Insurance, Customs & Taxation, Women in
Business, Health, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Instrumentation, Small and
Mid-size Manufacturing , International Donor Programs, Legal Affairs,
Marketing, Sales & Public Relations, Real Estate, Trade & Commerce,
Construction & Infrastructure Development, Environment, Human Resources,
Information & Communications Technology, Investments & Capital Markets,
Petroleum, Farming, Agriculture & Food, Electricity& Power, Transport,
Travel & Tourism, Textiles, Clothing & Cosmetics, consumer Products,
Quality Control and ISO 9000, Continuing Education, and Vocational
Training.
TADRIB
(Training and Development Resources Initiative for Business in Iraq)
– Comprehensive Training
Sample of Public Training Institutions: The Ministry of Youth and
Sports, Baghdad University, and Salahadin University in Erbil
Sample of private companies and organizations trained:
Orascom, IOM Course / Residence, IOM Course / Passport
Authority, Commercial Bank of Iraq, Iraqi Central Bank, Dar Al-Salaam
Bank, Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA), Sardam Institute
in Erbil and Mustaqbal Institute, Dijla College and Al-Rajih Institute
in Baghdad
Sample of Iraq Ministries trained by IACCI:
Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry
of Industry and Minerals, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Electricity,
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Displacement and Migration, Ministry of
Environment, Ministry of Housing & Construction, Ministry of Oil,
Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of Interior (Residency), Ministry of
State for Tourism, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs
Sample of Mega Projects:
Projects including construction, vocational training and multi-level
cooperative team work in the following areas: governments, business,
commerce, industry, individuals, nonprofits, NGO, community,
military
- Destination Baghdad Expo - Diyarbakir
- Rebuilding Iraq Kurdistan DBX Trade Show and Conference in Erbil (2005)
- 2nd Annual Rebuilding Iraq Kurdistan DBX Trade Show and Conference in
Sulymaniya (2006)
- 2006 World Ag Delegation (Special guests of Largest Agricultural Show)
- CONEXPO/CONAGG trade show delegation to Las Vegas
- WEFTEC Conference Delegation
- IACCI Conference “Private Sector Challenges and Opportunities” - Baghdad
- Building New and Renovations – Baghdad, Erbil, Basra
- VOTECH Consulting and Project Implementation
- Ministry of Industry SOE Training in Business and Computer Skills
- USAID CSP Small and Micro Grants Program in Baghdad and other cities in
Iraq
- USAID CSP Business Training in Baghdad and other cities in Iraq
- Iraqi Ministry Capacity Development Training
Sample Partnership with USAID Prime Contractors:
Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA), Louis Berger
Group/the Services Group (LBG/TSG), International Relief and Development
(IRD), MSI (Tatweer)
Sample of Conferences
- "Ajex,” an international trade show - Amman, Jordan
- “A Nation to be Rebuilt” conference- Amman, Jordan
- Iraqi investment law conference - Baghdad
- "Out Reach” international trade show
- Rebuilding Iraq” conference and show
- Contractors Luncheon featuring Steven Sussens from the Project
Management Office (PMO – now "PCO") of the CPA
- Iraqi ministries networking conference
- 1st Annual IACCI Conference for Investment Promotion
- ADIPEC Conference in Abu Dhabi
Partial list of IACCI’s Major Partners, Supporters and Team Players
Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce Members (International and Iraqi)
Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Iraqi Reconstruction
Management Office (IRMO) in the US Embassy - Baghdad, Multi-National
Corps (C9) - Iraq, Multi-National Division (G9) - Baghdad, US Military
Civil Affairs Brigade, International Finance Corporation (IFC), US
Institute for Peace (USIP), International Organization for Migration
(IOM), Sulaymania Governor’s Office, Sulaymaniya Chamber of Commerce,
UNESCO, UNDP, UNAMI, UNIDO, US Export Import Bank, Iraqi Middle Market
Development Foundation (IMMDF), U.S. Department of Commerce, the World
Bank, Housing Bank of Jordan, The US Chamber of Commerce, the Commercial
Section of the US Embassy in Baghdad, the Cultural Affairs Section of
the US Embassy in Baghdad, the Iraqi Embassy in Washington, DC, the
Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), IRMO Office of
Private Sector Development, Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, Iraqi
Ministry of Agriculture, Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals, Iraqi
Ministry of Trade, Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, Iraqi Ministry of
Justice, Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration, Iraqi Ministry of
Environment, Iraqi Ministry of Housing & Construction, Iraqi Ministry of
Oil, Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights, Iraqi Ministry of Interior
(Residency), Iraqi Ministry of State for Tourism, Iraqi Ministry of
Health, Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Baghdad Business
Center, Trade Show Organizers, Jordan Ministry of Interior, Kuwait
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iraqi Engineering Union, Project Management
Office (PMO, now PCO), Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkish
Embassy in Baghdad, Diyarbakir Chamber of Commerce, Customs Clearance at
Ibrahim Khalil – Iraq, ADIPEC show and conference organizers, Organizers
of BAU Trade Show, German Embassy in Baghdad, Educational Institutions
in Egypt, Egyptian Embassy in Baghdad, American University in Cairo, US
Embassy Economic Section in Baghdad, USAID Northern Representatives,
USAID Baghdad Representatives, USAID Prime Contractors (VEGA, IRD and
LBG), Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Humanitarian
Affairs, KRG Prime Minister’s Office, CONEXPO Trade Show Organizers,
Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Mission Representatives in
Baghdad and in Amman, Private Institutions, KRG security forces and
Peshmerga, KRG Ministry of Finance, Erbil International Airport, Iraqi
Customs Officials, Salahaddin University in Erbil, WEFTEC Trade Show
Organizers, US Arab National Chamber of Commerce, Public officials,
university professors and private Iraqi businessmen from Basra, Baghdad,
and Kurdistan focused on Private Sector development, International
Relief and Development Organization, Louis Berger Group (Izdihar), MSI (Tatweer).
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