Dr. Sami Al- Araji – Chairman of the National Investment Commission attended the meeting, headed by Dr. Rodj Nori Shawees – Deputy Prime Minister, which was held on the 30th of August to discuss the performance of the National Investment Commission and investment environment in Iraq.
A spokesman for the office of the Deputy Prime Minister declared to the NIC Media office that the meeting was also attended by minister of Oil, Minister of Planning, Minister of Industry & Minerals, the General Secretary of the Ministers Council, Chairman of the Advisors Commission, Advisor of the Minister of Finance and the representative of the Ministry of Municipalities and public works . A report about the NIC ‘s activities, the most important investment projects and the obstacles that hinder the overflowing of investments and capitals into Iraq was submitted by NIC chairman and discussed in addition to discussing the big housing projects as the project of the One Million Housing Unit all over Iraq , Al- Rasheed City ( Al- Rasheed Military camp), Dhifaf Karbala project, Al- Mustaqbal city project in Baghdad. Other industrial, electrical and oil investment projects were also discussed during the meeting.
Laws, decisions and other investment related matters were discussed as lands, capitals customs and tax exemptions with taking in to consideration the recommendations of several committees to amend some of the laws and decisions to facilitate and develop investment opportunities in Iraq.

Dr. Sami Al- Araji – Chairman of the National Investment Commission headed the meeting of the Iraqi – American Trade & investment Committee which was held at the office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the 26th pf Aug. 2010 and attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Interior , Health, Labor, Trade, Industry and the Deputy Prime Minister office Manager from the Iraqi side , while the American side was represented by Mr. Del Abler – economic counselor, the commercial counselor and a number of Trade and Investment specialists in the American embassy in Baghdad.
The meeting parties discussed means of facilitating the commercial exchange between the two sides through creating the appropriate conditions for the commercial companies and simplifying the procedures for obtaining the entry visas and information about the available investment opportunities etc..

Dr. Sami Al- Araji, Chairman of the National Investment Commission announced that the second round of negotiations with companies applied for implementing the project of the One million Housing Units had started and would last for the next two months until ends with signing the contracts.
Dr. Sami’s announcement came during heading the eighteenth periodical meeting of the board of directors on the 26th of Aug. 2010 at the NIC premises , during the meeting NIC chairman mentioned that that the number of the financially and technically capable companies applying to implement the project of the One Million Housing Units is 35 company out of 120 applying one.
He also added that during the next two weeks some of the project required lands shall be allocated in Baghdad confirming that the NIC is still receiving the numbers of the government officials willing to buy the housing units.
During the meeting which was attended by all members of the board of directors, the capacities and capabilities of the Iraqi private sector to play an active role in the currently going investment process was discussed in addition to discussing the means of overcoming all obstacles facing investors in Iraq in order to accelerate the implementation of all licensed investment projects.

The National Investment Commission holds a meeting with ministries’ representatives
The NIC held a meeting in its head quarter with ministries and unrelated bodies representatives headed by Mr. Abdulla Al Bander, NIC Advisor, his assistance in the One Stop Shop Mr. Saad Mizal and head of representatives dept. in OSS.
Al Bander emphasized during the meeting on the importance of representatives role to be more active by following up letters issued by NIC regarding projects submitted to the sectoral bodies and ensure response in a time limit according to the law (15 days). They follow up technical issues with all levels.
Attendees reviewed investment law 13 of 2006 and explained article 2, first and second. NIC efforts in connecting with representatives to achieve the best mutual cooperation were also reviewed.
They discussed the necessity of granting representatives the required authority to enable them of fulfilling the investor’s documentation within the time limit. NIC informed them of meeting with their officials and explained the fundamental goals of working with the NIC and cooperate in activating legal articles and paragraphs as a sectoral body and inform NIC with any difficulty that may hinder their task especially when responding to NIC requests.

Al Najaf PIC granted 6 new investment licenses for commercial, industrial and entertainment projects with a total value of 64.9 million USD
Rasool Al Kabi, media official in Najaf PIC said that they granted a license to build a commercial mall to Aurans Ghalib, investor, total value 286 thousand USD. This mall consists of two floors, ground floor has 9 commercial shops and the second one has a big hall. Execution period is 10 months. The second project is to build a complete fuel station with value of 1 million USD to Hazim Kamil Muslim, investor. The station has 10 tanks with capacity of 64 thousand litters to sell fuel, gasoline, kerosene and gasoil. It also has commercial shops and a green park. Execution period is 12 months.

He added that two investment licenses were granted. The first one for investor Hassan Noori Abdul Hassan to build a hotel with a total value of 800 thousand USD. The hotel consist of two floors, 156 rooms and 12 suites with other activities such as games hall, restaurant and other services facilities.
The second project is a tourism one to develop Zamzam Tourism Complex, estimated cost is 27.230.000 USD. 151 additional rooms will be built, 4 of them for individuals with special needs, rebuilding the existing services facility, establishing underground garage, increasing the number of elevators, services office, communication, and internet in addition to importing modern vehicles for visitors and delegations. Execution period is 23 months.
He continued saying: an investment license was granted to establish an entertaining park that consists of shops, children’s’ games, green fields and water circulations. Execution period is (141) days.
Another license was granted to Taj Al Zumurud company to establish a plant for producing and assembling housing units. The plant consists of warehouses, concrete station, assembling equipments, electro mechanic-extensions, panel casting, steel reinforcement and treatment. Execution period is 6 months. Total number of granted licenses is 103 in all sectors. Applications for investment licenses is more than 500.

Kirkuk Investment Commission announced that a delegation of Turkish Investment Companies visited the province recently and discussed ways of investing and constructing a power station of 150 MW capacity. KIC in its turn assured the readiness to obtain all necessary approvals from concerned ministries and provide all facilities required to implement the project.
Mr. Falah Al- Bazaz, Chairman of Kirkuk Investment Commission, informed the NIC media office that a delegation of big Turkish investment companies visited Kirkuk and explored investment opportunities available, he also assured that the delegation had showed the willingness to implement several projects in Power and Housing sectors.
Mr. Bazaz also declared that the delegation had had a meeting with Mr. Abdul Rahman Mustafa, Governor of Kirkuk during which they discussed the increasing need of the province for the generating power stations to solve the power lack crisis, the governor stressed the preparedness to provide all services to implement such important projects for the long term experience these companies have in electricity sector.
KIC Chairman assured that the province shall open contact channels with the Ministries of Electricity and Oil in order to accelerate the procedures of implementing the power station project.

Babylon Investment Commission participated in the conference of Supporting Iraqi Businesswomen under the slogan of (Woman is half of the society … Hand in hand we build Iraq) for the period from (10-11.08.10) on the land of Babylon resort.
A source in Babylon Investment Commission informed the NIC Media Office That Dr. Ibraheem Rasool, BIC member of the board represented the commission in the conference mentioning that the conference had included a speech by Mrs. Suhaila abdul Redha, member of the Provincial Council through which she stressed the importance of supporting such conferences and paying more attention for Iraqi Businesswomen .
Mr. Tariq Majeed, representative of Babylon Governor also gave a speech through which he assured the support of the local government for such conferences.
The news source added that a workshop had been held during the conference focused on the Role of Babylon Investment

Nineveh Investment Commission announced granting 29 new investment licenses in various sectors with capitals reach around 1 billion dollars.
Mr. Younis Qasim, Chairman of Nineveh Investment Commission, explained that the licenses were granted to projects in sectors like services, entertainment and housing units’ construction noting that the stable security situation in the province encouraged the international companies and foreign investors to start their investment projects in the province.
Mr. Qasim added that the problem of allocating the suitable lands for the granted projects is still hindering the implementation despite moving the investment wheel in the province and the stable security situation certifying that the commission is working hard to coordinate with the concerned ministries to obtain the lands from the owning sides ASAP.

Karbala Investment Authority said that the Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with a delegation representing the eight Romanian companies to perform a variety of residential projects, agricultural and industrial .
A statement issued by the Information Office in Karbala Investment Commission explained that the Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with a delegation representing the eight Romanian companies to implement a number of industrial projects, agricultural and residential .
Among the projects that have been signed, according to the statement, building thousand housing units in a vertical and three floors on an area of ​​10 hectares with all accessories related infrastructure for the project, was also signed to establish a cattle farm and animal feed.
The statement was signed on the implementation of the project to establish a factory for recycling of waste, and a special technique paving roads using enzymes, noting that he was relying on modern technology is used in many countries of the world, help the cohesion of the upper layer of the soil and prevent the scattering of dust, dirt and can be utilized in agricultural roads.
The statement stressed that Romanian companies have pledged all the documents and feasibility studies and plans necessary to implement the projects.

Karbala Investment Authority said that the Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with a delegation representing the eight Romanian companies to perform a variety of residential projects, agricultural and industrial .
A statement issued by the Information Office in Karbala Investment Commission explained that the Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with a delegation representing the eight Romanian companies to implement a number of industrial projects, agricultural and residential .
Among the projects that have been signed, according to the statement, building thousand housing units in a vertical and three floors on an area of ​​10 hectares with all accessories related infrastructure for the project, was also signed to establish a cattle farm and animal feed.
The statement was signed on the implementation of the project to establish a factory for recycling of waste, and a special technique paving roads using enzymes, noting that he was relying on modern technology is used in many countries of the world, help the cohesion of the upper layer of the soil and prevent the scattering of dust, dirt and can be utilized in agricultural roads.
The statement stressed that Romanian companies have pledged all the documents and feasibility studies and plans necessary to implement the projects.