KRG WOOING "COWARDLY CAPITAL" WITH NEW INVESTMENT STRATEGY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KIRKUK 000112 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID EFIN EINV PGOV PREL IZ SUBJECT: KRG WOOING "COWARDLY CAPITAL" WITH NEW INVESTMENT STRATEGY REF: 2005 BAGHDAD 4006 KIRKUK 00000112 001.2 OF 002 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. Summary: The KRG is attempting to win-over hesitant foreign investors with a combination of new airports, trade shows, and investment incentives. In a meeting April 22 with KRG Deputy Finance Minister Abdullah Abdulrahim, Abdulrahim told Emboffs that he welcomed input and U.S. technical assistance to develop KRG banking and investment laws. He said that of the 2,500 companies registered in the KRG, 309 were foreign; the vast majority of these are contracting and construction forms however, bringing almost no actual investment. Abdulrahim made a strong pitch for a U.S. Consulate in Erbil. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) In a meeting on April 22 in Erbil with KRG Deputy Finance Minister Abdullah Abdulrahim and Director General of Trade Aziz Abdo, Baghdad EmbOffs, USAID Representative, and IPAO discussed the KRG's strategy for attracting new investment to the region and bolstering both investment laws and the banking sector. "Cowardly Capital" and KRG's Investment Strategy -------------- --- ¶3. (SBU) Abdulrahim attributed the lack of foreign investment in the Kurdistan Region to what he called "cowardly capital," which he explained is a deterrence from investing by foreign companies due to a misperception that the security situation is poor all over Iraq. He expressed frustration over investors' continuing hesitancy, despite a concerted KRG effort to market the message, that northern Iraq is safe and ready for investment. ¶4. (SBU) Abdulrahim said that the KRG's Ministry of Finance (MinFin) viewed the Kurdish region as the ideal starting point for foreign companies seeking to enter Iraq. He identified infrastructure development - including two new regional airports, trade shows, and investment incentives as efforts made by the KRG to attract foreign capital. He also admitted the need to establish international banking services and codify the proposed KRG Investment Law. ¶5. (SBU) The KRG wants to host national trade shows that can't be held in Baghdad because of security concerns. He said Erbil hosted the DBX trade show last year where over 300 well-known companies successfully participated, networked locally, and assessed the situation first-hand (Reftel). The KRG planned to hold several events in the next year, including trade shows, book shows, and industry expos, with the hope that potential international investors would participate. Draft Investment Law Awaits Merge of KRGs -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Abdulrahim said that the KRG government in Sulaymaniyah already had tourism and tax laws relevant to investors. However, there is a new draft Investment Law agreed to by KRGs in both Sulaymaniyah and Erbil that is awaiting approval by the Kurdistan National Assembly once the two KRGs merge. (Note: We received a copy of the investment law and are having it translated). He welcomed U.S. technical assistance to improve the law, and said its content already reflected KRG MinFin's efforts to learn from other countries. ¶7. (SBU) Investment incentives in the draft Investment Law include: Joint ventures and 100% foreign ownership permitted; 100% repatriation of profits; 10 years of tax-free status; No restriction on use of imported labor; and Land either provided by the KRG or leased on, for example, in a 99-year contract. Not All Companies Staying Away -------------- ¶8. (SBU) According to Trade DG Abdo, over 2,500 companies have registered with the KRG MinFin, including 309 international companies, predominantly in the construction industry. The international companies include: 201 Turkish, 12 Iranian, 10 Lebanese and nine British companies. The five American companies are Mid-Atlantic Construction, Washington International Construction, Paranto Security, Lincoln Group Construction, and the Andora Group. ¶9. (SBU) Abdo noted that virtually all of the foreign companies in the Kurdistan Region are contractors, however, not/not actual investors. He expressed the need for the IRG to see increased capital flows into the region, noting that investment in the region now currently comes almost entirely from local Kurds, with a small percentage coming from Baghdad. Abdo said it pained him to see "southern" Iraqis take their capital and KIRKUK 00000112 002.3 OF 002 investment to Jordan or elsewhere in the Middle East, instead of the Kurdish region. He claimed this is an investment mentality held-over from the Ba'athists. Weak Banking Sector Stymies Investment -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Abdulrahim said the region's banking system lacked sophistication and deterred investment. He described the Central Bank in Baghdad and the Harim Bank, which has branches in the Kurdistan Region, as "big safes to store money in, not a banking system attractive to investors." Abdulrahim requested U.S. assistance in encouraging international banks, especially from the U.S., to enter the market. (NOTE: HSBC reported March 3 that they have received their licenses to operate in Irbil and Sulimaniyah. END NOTE). The Kurds feels left out from any national strategy for development of the banking sector (NOTE: Despite regular meetings between Harim Bank's general director with Central Bank officials in Baghdad, the DG says he still feels "remote" from events in the capital. END NOTE). Abdulrahim insisted that he wants a strategic partnership with Baghdad on all issues including banking, but believes Baghdad needs to make ministerial level changes before a good relationship can be established. ¶11. (SBU) Abdulrahim highlighted the negative fall-out of poor communication between the KRG and the central government, stating that although the MinOil in Baghdad signed all fuel contracts since January, including one with Turkey, the public still blames the KRG for fuel shortages. He warned that things were linked: If the oil shortage continued, 1000s of families would suffer, and eventually, if things were not resolved quickly, security would become an issue. Relationship with Central Government Needs Nurturing -------------- -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Abdulrahim felt it was critical that the KRG be involved in central policy decisions in order to defend itself. In addition to coordination on banking and oil issues, he added that coordination on consumables is vital. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Trade in Baghdad to sign contracts in regards to delivery and the quality of food provided under the Public Distribution System (PDS); however, the KRG still took the blame for shortages in the region, he claimed. ¶13. (SBU) Abdulrahim urged the formation of a coordination committee to define a strategy for financial and revenue development. Three years passed, but so far not a single GOI MinFin official delegation has visited Erbil, despite repeated invitations. Abdulrahim expected the KRG merger to improve the situation, however, but added that the political reality is such that some Kurds believe that the national government in Baghdad will make decisions contrary to the KRG's best interests. Request for US Consulate in Erbil -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Abdulrahim made a concerted push for the U.S. to establish a consulate in Erbil to "better facilitate KRG communication with the U.S. government" and benefit the Kurdish community at-large. He claimed a permanent physical U.S. presence would provide people a peace of mind and help adjust their thinking towards more optimistic and forward leaning strategies in all fields, including the economy and investment. BIGUSBELL