The Iraq Economic Summit in Jordan is the premier 2004 international event on the reconstruction and economic development of Iraq.
Funding for the reconstruction of Iraq is enormous. The United States is spending an additional $18.6 billion on rebuilding, emphasizing energy and other vital economic infrastructure. U.S. allies and global lenders have pledged another $13.4 billion in grants and loans for Iraq's reconstruction. World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn says the World Bank's $5 billion contribution will assist in everything from education and health to restructuring of the infrastructure, energy system, and building government capacity.
In addition to reconstruction, significant business opportunities will develop in 2004 through Iraq's new privatization program, due to be announced by the Coalition Provisional Authority in December of 2003. Iraq's entire economic sector, except for energy, will be involved in privatization, creating substantial opportunities for banks, investors, law firms, accounting firms, a wide range of service industries, and a wide range of manufacturing industries.
Clearly, both reconstruction and privatization will create one of the largest business opportunities in the world. The Iraq Economic Summit will provide you with the latest information to help you become involved, featuring top officials and experts on:
- U.S. Reconstruction Programs
- Multilateral Reconstruction Programs
- Iraq's Privatization Program
- Developing Iraq's Energy Sector
- Attracting Foreign Investment
- Jordan as a Gateway to Iraq
The Summit, which will feature a conference and a trade exhibition, is designed for CEOs and other top executives of companies with an interest in Iraq. Since 1996, more than 4,000 corporate, government, and diplomatic leaders have participated in Equity International's reconstruction conferences. The firm organized the first international conference on rebuilding Iraq, held in Washington on May 5, 2003, and convened additional Iraq reconstruction conferences and briefings in July and August of 2003. Featured speakers included U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Lincoln Bloomfield; U.S. Treasury Under Secretary John Taylor; Congressman Curt Weldon, Vice Chairman, House Armed Services Committee; Congressman Christopher Shays, Chairman, House Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations; key executives from Kellogg Brown & Root, BearingPoint, Creative Associates, and USProtect; and top officials from the Coalitional Provisional Authority, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. State Department, U.S. Treasury Department, U.S. Export-Import Bank, U.S. Commerce Department, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the United Nations. In addition, the forums featured leading executives and diplomats from around the world, including His Excellency Karim Kawar, Jordan's Ambassador to the United States. |
