BAHRAIN: IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION THROUGH EXPORT CREDIT

UNCLAS MANAMA 001676

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN PGOV IZ BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION THROUGH EXPORT CREDIT
AGREEMENTS

REF: STATE 228304


1. (U) EconOff delivered reftel talking points to Dr. Khalid
Abdulla Ateeq, Executive Director of Banking Supervision at
the Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA). Bahrain does not have an
Export Credit Authority, and therefore could not enter into a
framework agreement with the Trade Bank of Iraq. However,
Dr. Ateeq did note that private banks in Bahrain are free to
(and he believes have already) provide financing for firms
doing business in Iraq. He also pointed to ongoing efforts
by the GOB, particularly the BMA, to support Iraqi
reconstruction through training programs in banking and
capital market supervision and promoting the efforts of
several private banks in Bahrain to open branches in Iraq.
MONROE