Dear Colleagues: Sincerely, Lionel C. Johnson Vice President Middle East and North Africa Affairs U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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2 Dear Colleagues: With the conclusion of U.S. military operations in Iraq in December 2011, the role of the private sector is more critical than ever. As we work toward establishing normal relations based on economic development and diplomacy, U.S. companies will build partnerships with Iraqis as they create a stable, secure, and prosperous nation with a growing and dynamic economy. At such a pivotal moment in the U.S.-Iraq relationship, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce s U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative (USIBI) is well positioned to build upon existing ties between the U.S. business community and the government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the Iraqi private sector to encourage closer economic cooperation. In the near term, the Initiative will work to drive U.S. investment to help rebuild Iraq and to meet its massive development needs. Over the long term, it will endeavor to accomplish a robust program of work that will be valuable to companies and workers in both countries. With one of the largest customer bases in the Arab world, coupled with strong projected economic growth, Iraq poses significant opportunities for American companies. The challenges of doing business in Iraq are real and should not to be overlooked. However, the opportunities for American companies in Iraq are immense and found across virtually every sector, from agriculture, energy, electricity, and construction to banking, transportation, telecommunications, and health care. One of the primary objectives of the USIBI is to help facilitate access to the Iraqi market to enable its member companies to pursue these investment opportunities. This is an exciting new era in the relationship between the United States and Iraq. We invite you to join us in this effort to expand bilateral engagement and deepen trade and investment between our nations. Sincerely, Lionel C. Johnson Vice President Middle East and North Africa Affairs U.S. Chamber of Commerce

3 Welcome to the USIBI The U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative (USIBI) is the premier vehicle for dialogue and engagement between American and Iraqi business and government decision makers. The USIBI provides a platform to generate and implement new ideas for partnerships and business policies that impact the thinking of government and business leaders in both countries. Left to right: Hussain Qaragholi, president of the U.S.-Business Council in Iraq, and Lionel C. Johnson, vice president for Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, host Mohammed Dawood, member of Iraq s Parliament and vice chairman of the Committee on Economy and Investment, for a roundtable with companies on April 10, The USIBI is a core program of the Middle East and North Africa Affairs Department. It is part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and integral to the International Division that helps the U.S. business community compete in the global marketplace. The Initiative has full access to the Chamber s Congressional Affairs and Legal divisions, as well as various Chamber institutes and programs. This access can be used to advance USIBI policies, programs, and initiatives. The USIBI is composed of a group of major American businesses, both large and small, representing a range of sectors. Its mission is to increase member access to Iraqi markets, help expand investment opportunities, and promote dialogue and access to decision makers in the United States, the government of Iraq, and the Kurdistan Regional Government. It also encompasses effective advocacy and business development programs throughout Iraq and the United States. About the Middle East and North Africa Affairs Department The Chamber s Middle East and North Africa Affairs Department is deeply committed to advancing the business goals of member companies and is expanding its capacity to keep abreast of fast-moving developments throughout the region. It does so while providing meaningful programmatic value to its members. By leveraging relationships at the highest levels of the United States and regional governments, the Initiative ensures that private sector-led growth remains at the forefront of the policy agenda. The Initiative is committed to fighting for greater protection of intellectual property and lower barriers to trade and investment. Through programming, the team works with regional partners to encourage the stability of governing structures and to ensure respect for the rule of law critical elements of the enabling environment for long-term private sector growth and opportunity. The U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative hosts Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq Hussain Al-Shahristani at a roundtable discussion with the U.S. business community on April 26, About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world s largest business association representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. The businesses all share one thing in common they count on the Chamber to be their voice in Washington, D.C. 1

4 2 U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative Activities The Initiative advances its mission and member interests through an array of programs, direct engagement with Iraqi and U.S. government officials and business leaders, and the distribution of information and publications detailing activities, objectives, and commercial studies. Information The U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative provides its members with weekly and monthly reports on commercial and investment projects as well as a summary of business opportunities and government tenders across each sector. Advocacy The U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative leads advocacy efforts to create an environment conducive to economic growth, fosters commercial opportunities, and encourages and enables private sector investment in Iraq. Following are some key advocacy issues: Supporting efforts to combat corruption and increase transparency. Creating additional financing mechanisms. Pursuing consistent implementation of commercial regulations. Improving the visa entry process. Supporting efforts to apply uniform and transparent procurement processes. Streamlining the registration process and enhancing business facilitation. Market Access and Impact Through a series of business delegations, policy forums, and policy briefings, the U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative provides its members meaningful access to key officials in the government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the U.S. government. The Initiative offers companies from different sectors of the economy opportunities to impact policies and opinions of key decision makers who shape the long-term investment climate in Iraq and influence the Iraqi-American commercial relationship. High-Profile Events By hosting events in Washington, D.C., and in Iraq, the Initiative provides the policy community and private sector with information and insight into the political and economic climate in Iraq. Events offer in-person opportunities to network with officials of the government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Policy Forums The Initiative conducts a series of policy forums that provide news, information, analysis, and resources on sector-specific issues relevant to companies operating in Iraq. The forums offer leading experts a platform to exchange views and best practices for the policy community and private sector at large. Business Expansion The U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative gives significant attention to the expansion of business opportunities for its member companies. It identifies projects, ventures, and partners that facilitate increased business engagement. Trade Missions The Initiative organizes coordinated business delegations for senior-level private sector representatives to meet potential buyers, find local partners, meet with government ministries and provincial leaders, and interact with Iraqi government regulators and decisions makers. Networking and Business Matchmaking Services The Initiative organizes events, meetings, roundtables, and conferences that bring together an array of stakeholders in the U.S. and Iraqi governments and the private sector where companies can pursue opportunities in procurement projects, identify potential business partners, and develop relationships critical to doing business in Iraq. It also helps American companies find Iraqi companies through introductions and one-on-one meetings.

5 Join the USIBI Promising opportunities exist for dynamic programming in the coming months related to enhancing the commercial relationships between the United States and Iraq. Initiative Membership Chairman s Circle Membership is granted to corporations, partnerships, or similar organizations that pay $25,000 in annual dues. Corporate Membership is granted to any U.S. corporation, partnership, or similar organization that pays $10,000 in annual dues. Associate Membership is granted to any corporation, partnership, or similar organization with fewer than 50 employees that pays $5,000 in annual dues. Thomas J. Donohue (right), president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, greets Massoud Barzani, president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, at the U.S. Chamber on April 6, 2012, to discuss deepening business ties between the United States and the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Member Benefits Chairman s Circle Membership Access to senior-level leadership of the USIBI. Increased visibility for branding, including placement in the Chairman s Circle area on the U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative website. Priority seating at all events, programs, and activities conducted by the Initiative, in addition to all Corporate Membership benefits. Corporate and Associate Membership Eligibility for membership on the board of directors. Invitations to CEO-level briefings and bilateral meetings with the Iraqi and the U.S. government. Company exposure to key events, discussions, and opportunities to host Iraqi government officials and ministers or U.S. delegations. Sponsorship opportunities, members-only events, executive trade delegations, and briefings with U.S. and Iraqi government officials. Lionel C. Johnson (left), vice president for Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the U.S. Chamber, welcomes Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki to a luncheon on December 13, 2011, after the drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq. 3

6 4 Contact Us Steve Lutes Director, U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative U.S. Chamber of Commerce 1615 H Street, NW Washington, DC Phone: slutes@uschamber.com The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, through its U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative, is leading the way in developing the growing commercial relationship between our two nations. The Initiative not only provides its members with access to key decision makers, but it also works to shape the policy and regulatory framework to ensure greater certainty and encourage increased investment in the burgeoning Iraqi market. Steve Lutes, Director, U.S.-Iraq Business Initiative

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8 1615 H Street, NW, Washington, DC