Paris, 20-21 January 2009

 

A high-level meeting for the Task Force for Economic Reforms and Private Sector Capacity (TFER) in the Republic of Iraq was held on 20-21 January 2009 at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris. Jointly organised by the MENA-OECD Iraq project and the United Nations Development Programme, the meeting brought together representatives from the Government of Iraq as well as OECD member countries. Revolving around the further definition and implementation of a comprehensive framework for private sector development in Iraq, the meeting focused on the launching of the task force in Iraq. Key outcomes of the two-day event were the agreement on the task force's terms of reference and the finalisation of its work programme.

 

The task force is designed to conduct a broad assessment of legislative, institutional and sectoral needs with the goal of assisting the Government of Iraq to design policies for a comprehensive business climate development strategy, with the support of UN-designated agencies and the MENA-OECD Investment Programme.

 

During the meeting, the decision was made that the task force will be structured around working groups focusing on:

• legislative revision
• restructuring state-owned enterprises
• small and medium-sized enterprise development
• social dialogue
• investment  policy design and implementation

 

Each working group is to carry out outlined tasks and to ensure functionality and constant progress in implementing private sector development in Iraq. The MENA-OECD Investment Programme will be principally involved in the activities on legislative revision and investment policy.

 

The meeting was attended by high-level representatives from Iraq, OECD member countries, and international organisations.

 

The delegation from Iraq included senior representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office (economic, legal and reconstruction advisors), the Councils of Ministers, Ministries of Finance and Industry, the National Investment Commission, the Kurdish Regional Board of Investment, and Iraq’s Ambassador to France. Members of the Council of Representatives as well as representatives of the Iraqi Stock Market and Businessmen Association were also in attendance. Representatives from OECD member countries included the United States, and members from the OECD permanent delegations of Canada, France and Italy whilst UN agencies UNCTAD, UNIDO and ILO were also represented.

 

Meeting documentation

 

Meeting Summary

Interview of H.E. Dr. Thamir Al-Ghadhban on France 24 (arabic)

Agenda