Swedish-Iraqi Business and Investment Conference in Stockholm 8-9 October, 2012

Welcome to the Swedish Iraqi Business and Investment Conference 2012
On October 8-9 the Swedish Trade Council will arrange the Swedish-Iraqi Business and Investment Conference 2012 together with the Swedish Iraqi Chamber of Commerce in Scandinavia and other main partners. The conference will be hosted by Swedish Minister for Trade Dr. Ewa Björling with participating government representatives and prominent business leaders from both Iraq and Sweden.

The objective of the conference is to promote trade and business between Sweden and Iraq and increase the awareness of the Iraqi market and its private and public sector among the Swedish business and public organizations.

The high-level conference will focus on business opportunities within relevant industries for Swedish companies, giving an overall picture of different perspectives on how to do business within the following sectors:
•Water and sanitation
•Healthcare
•Transport and infrastructure
•Industrial services
•Financial transactions
•Political and business environment
•Practicalities when doing business in Iraq

Concept of the event



The conference will also include activities for match-making, workshops and business meetings with representatives from the public and private sector as well as the government of Iraq. The conference will be a forum to meet with high-level representatives from the major industry sectors in Iraq. The conference aims at giving companies an understanding of business opportunities and to directly meet with key players on the Iraqi market. Swedish companies and organizations will also be offered the opportunity to exhibit throughout the conference, thus, creating natural meeting points for these companies.

Incoming delegation from Iraq:


The following special guests from Iraq have confirmed their attendance at the conference.



- Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, H.E. Dr. Rowsch N. Shaways

- Minister of Trade, H.E. Dr. Khairula Hassan Babekir


- Minister of Transportation, H.E. Mr. Hadi al-Ameri

- Chairman of National Investment Commission, H.E. Dr. Sami al-Araji

- Governor of Baghdad, H.E. Dr. Salah Abdulrazaq

- Chairman of Basra Provincial Council, H.E. Mr. Sabah Al Bazooni



In addition, there will be a large delegation comprising:
•General directors and decision makers from the above mentioned ministries, as well as from state owned enterprises.
•Around 55 businessmen from private companies from the sectors of construction, oil and gas, energy, retail, healthcare and industry.


Swedish-Iraqi Trade Relations


Historically, Iraq has been an important market for Swedish companies. More than
30 % of Swedish exports to the Middle East were concentrated to Iraq during its peak in the 1980´s. After decades of war and international sanctions, as well as domestic turmoil, this figure had dropped to less than 3 %.

Iraq is a market with huge potential - its immense oil reserves and development needs constituting a well of opportunities for Swedish export companies. Iraq will, as many times stated by the Swedish Minister for Trade, again become a very important export market for Swedish companies.

In March 2012, the approved USD 100.5 bn capital budget constituted a 35 % increase from the previous year. This huge increase can mainly be related to expansion and investments within the national oil production, which will develop even further within coming years. In July 2012, Iraq’s oil production reached above three million barrels a day, for the first time since 2002. Based on conservative projections, Iraq is expected to reach an oil production of six million barrels a day by end of 2017. Iraq holds the world’s fourth largest oil reserves, making oil the country´s dominant driver for economic growth with its contribution of approximately 80 % to total revenues.

Iraq’s real GDP growth is expected to be one of the strongest in the Middle East during coming years – especially in 2012-2016, as investments in a range of oil and infrastructure projects pick up and government capital increases.

Swedish exports to Iraq increased by more than 241 % from 2008 to 2011. The value of exported products and services totaled more than SEK 1,1 bn in 2011.

Iraq is politically important, both from a Swedish, but also from an international perspective. Sweden has more than 160 000 Swedish-Iraqis who play an important role in the relationship between the two countries. Equally, the brand of Sweden is very strong in Iraq and should thus be capitalized on even further. The Swedish companies are well-known and have historically, during the 1980’s, been a major contributor to Iraq’s infrastructure and industrial development within sectors such as telecom, energy and heavy trucks.

At the same time, the knowledge about Iraq, its business opportunities and challenges are often unknown or misunderstood making the Iraqi market a non-prioritized business market for many Swedish exporting companies. Trade between Iraq and Sweden faces particular challenges in terms of lack of transparency, current political instability and security issues.

There is a need to present real business opportunities, increase the awareness of Iraq as a country and export market as well as its actual offerings to Swedish trade and industry. There is also a need for discussing the challenges and explaining how to carry out business in Iraq, despite potential obstacles.

On December 14, 2010, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs assigned to the Swedish Trade Council to organize an Iraq conference in Stockholm during 8-9 October 2012. The conference should be planned and organized in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, e.g. the Swedish-Iraqi Chamber of Commerce. The Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm and the Swedish Ministries concerned are also to play an important role – not least with regard to the official bilateral meetings.

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Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, H.E. Dr. Rowsch N. Shaways

Below is the list of main partners for the conference :


Iraqi National Business Council established in the republic of Iraq, the INBC is a professional economic institution that includes the elite of Iraqi Business People and investors from inside and outside Iraq. The INBC has the independence and moral that qualifies it to earn the rights and fulfil its commitments under the law. The INBC is committed to transparency in its economic activities and it works to serve the overall development, investment and the reconstruction of Iraq.

The INBC works on enhancing the values and principles of economic cooperation with all the countries worldwide and backing the on-going transformation toward free economy. The INBC looks for cooperation with Arab business and economic establishments and governments and urges them to start investment projects and joined business inside Iraq. The INBC also works on creating the appropriate investment environment that facilitates the return of capitals from outside to Iraqi private sector END


TVIG, Tillväxt Irak Gruppen
Growth Iraq Group is a non-profit independent organization that was started by a group of academics. TVIG's purpose is to promote transparency, sustainable economic and social development, and support the growth opportunity through the exchange of experience and knowledge in various fields. The organisation formed in 2008 in connection with the stability of the security and the tremendous growth and development of the Iraqi economy. The group is in the stage of social and economic development in Iraq, and we seek to encourage partnerships between stakeholders and key personnel.END

SIEN , Stockholm International Entrepreneurs Network.
Started in 2009 within the Kosmopolit Project initiated by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SIEN continuously works towards increased trade and global cooperation through its active entrepreneur members. SIEN through its members representing more than 22 nationalities, adds ‘International competence within business cultures’ to increase Entreprenaurialship. SIEN member contacts and leads take the Swedish business opportunities for SMEs across global barriers.
SIEN advocates close cooperation with Swedish public and private instances such as STC, Chamber of Commerce, EKN, SEK, Företagarna, and similar organizations and complement with SIEN’s specific competencies in the combined efforts towards Swedish Export/Trade growth.END

Volvo Construction Equipment is the world’s largest manufacturer of articulated haulers and wheel loaders, and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of excavation equipment, road development machines and compact construction equipment. We pride ourselves on our ability to create innovative solutions to customers’ immediate and foreseeable needs. This is how Volvo Construction Equipment started out in 1832, and we continue to create new concepts and set new industry standards. Our guiding principles – quality, safety and environmental care – haven’t changed since the day we started. Today, Volvo CE has about 17,000 employees and we distribute our products in more than 125 countries. The distribution and service of Volvo CE equipment in Iraq is handled through our distributor Sardar Machinery.END

Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB
(SIT AB) employs more than 2,700 people in Finspong and Trollhättan, Sweden. The business comprises development, design, manufacture and delivery of gas turbines, steam turbines, compressor stations, complete power plants and full service. The turn-over in fiscal year 2011 was 10 032 MSEK.
Siemens – Solutions for the Industry, Power Generation and Oil & Gas Industry
As a major international player with a broad market base, Siemens is able to offer an unprecedentedly comprehensive spectrum of products, services and integrated solution in the fields of electrical and rotating equipment for the Oil & Gas and Petrochemical Industries. These include automation and control, compression and pumping, power generation and distribution, industrial IT and life-cycle services.
Our global manufacturing, logistics and consulting capabilities provide a unique “one-stop shop” environment that eliminates many of the problems associated with integrated third-party solutions.END

Getinge Infection Control (GETINGE) is one of the three business areas within the GETINGE GROUP, a publicly-listed, Swedish-Based group of companies. The GETINGE business area consists of two divisions: Healthcare and Life Sciences. Together with two other business areas Extended Care (ARJOHUNTLEIGH) and Medical Systems (MAQUET), the entire GETINGE group of companies focuses on state-of-the-art medical technology. Worldwide, GETINGE ranks among the leading providers of disinfectors and sterilizers within the healthcare and life sciences segments.
Since its foundation in 1904, GETINGE has stood for innovation and complete solutions in the field of disinfection and sterilization. GETINGE has three customer segments, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical and Research. We have done business in Iraq during the last decade and are proud to be part of turnkey-project for Infection Control and OR Solutions for Hospital in Najaf and Mosul City, Iraq. In 2012 we launched our Regional Training Center for Infection Control in the UAE, and we are now looking for further collaboration with institution in Iraq to arrange a educational program for increased awareness and knowledge for Infection Control within the health care sector in Iraq. END

Bactiguard provides world-leading solutions preventing hospital-acquired infections - the 4th largest cause of death in the western world. By using Bactiguard technology Governments and healthcare providers can reduce healthcare cost, lower the use of antibiotics and save lives. The Bactiguard technology consists of an extremely thin noble metal coating, with antimicrobial and biocompatible properties that can be used on all sorts of medical devices. The Bactiguard coated urinary catheter has since 1995 been used by more than 110 million patients in the US. Today Bactiguard offers a full range portfolio within infection prevention in the urinary tract, respiratory tract and blood stream.
After close discussions with several hospitals in Iraq during the past 6 months, Bactiguard is very optimistic about the Iraqi market and is now in the process of selecting a distribution and sales partner.END

Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops advanced tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy and radiosurgery, and workflow enhancing software systems across the cancer care spectrum. Through its products and services, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and save patient lives. Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals globally, and daily more than 100,000 patients receive diagnosis, treatment or follow-up with the help of an Elekta Group solution. Elekta, with corporate headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, employs approximately 3,300 people globally.END

European Human Resources AB (EHRAB) is a Swedish company offering a flexible portfolio of recruitment, outsourcing and HR solutions to the public and private sectors. Our main areas are within the Construction and Civil Engineering industry, the Energy Sector, the Health Care- and the ICT Sector, where we specialize in providing tailor-made teams of qualified skilled workers with off-site and on-site management.
EHRAB is member of the CPL Resources Plc, founded in 1989, floating on the Irish- and the London Stock Exchange since 1999. CPL Group has more than 25000 employees in over 25 countries. It provides permanent, temporary and contract recruitment, outsourcing, managed services solutions, training, payroll and HR advisory services to companies across Europe.END

Swecare is a unique platform where academia, public and private sector join forces toward enhanced export and internationalization of Swedish health care and life science.
Through the Swecare platform, member organizations can access counterparts across the globe. Swecare assists ministries and official agencies in their international contacts, and receives foreign delegations visiting Sweden. Through a demand driven approach Swecare also arranges seminars and network meetings, and runs projects within identified focus areas.
Today, Swecare’s network consists of around 350 Swedish companies and organizations. The members represent the entire health care spectrum – from the small startup company to universities, county councils, and global corporations, working with everything from biotech to pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and health care services.END