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A representative of the National Academy of Sciences accompanied the Under Secretary to Libya in order to “help lay a firm foundation for robust engagement in areas such as health, science, technology, oceans, and the environment,” according to the U.S. State Department. The delegation also discussed international cooperation on health issues, including a $1 million program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services to assist the Libyan government to undertake pandemic influenza planning, upgrade disease surveillance and response measures, and increase laboratory capacity.

Under Secretary Dobriansky discussed economic and commercial interests and listened to concerns expressed by U.S. companies about visas, the rule of law, and training necessary to complete contract requirements.

Dr. Omran Bukhres shares his insights on Libya at a roundtable discussion in Washington DC.

In March, NUSACC hosted a roundtable breakfast discussion at the offices of Occidental Petroleum with Dr. Omran Bukhres, a top economic advisor in Libya who serves as Executive Director of the Libyan Economic Development Strategy. Dr. Bukhres, who briefed NUSACC members in 2005 on economic and commercial developments in Libya, was in town to help launch a new “Economic Development Plan for Libya” prepared by a local consulting firm.

Iraq

Iraq is a complicated market in which to do business, for obvious reasons, but it remains a high priority for many of NUSACC’s members. In an effort to provide insights into business opportunities in that conflicted nation, NUSACC has hosted more private sector delegations from Iraq in the past three years than any other association in America.

In February, NUSACC partnered with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to host a reception for a high-level Government of Iraq delegation representing Iraq’s Ministries of Oil, Planning and

Kevin Woelflein (NUSACC), Carl Kress (USTDA), and Dr. Ahmed Barificani take the podium to address guests at the University Club in Washington DC.

Development, and Finance, as well as Iraq’s Central Bank. The eight-member delegation – composed largely of Directors General from the Iraqi ministries – was visiting the United States in an effort to assist in the development of Iraq’s oil and gas industries.

NUSACC invited members from private and public sector financial institutions, engineering and construction companies, oil and gas exploration corporations, and major equipment and material suppliers. Shaun Donnelly, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, made welcoming remarks.

The event, held at the University Club of Washington DC, was sponsored by Dave Nash and Associates, a Platinum member of NUSACC.

In May, NUSACC and the law firm of Baker Botts, a NUSACC Platinum member, co-hosted a breakfast and roundtable briefing

NUSACC corporate members attending a discussion on Iraq’s economic future held at the Baker Botts offices in Washington DC.

“on the status of legal, political, and economic developments in Iraq.

The briefing was led by Mohamed H. el Roubi, Managing Partner of I & D Iraq Law Alliance in Baghdad, along with Mr. Andrew Edwards, founding Director of Peak Group Incorporated.

The candid briefing generated extensive discussion about potential opportunities and pitfalls in Iraq. According to el Roubi, the Kurdish areas in the North are progressing economically and gaining financial stability as they attract increasing amounts of investment and workers from other areas of Iraq. In terms of “best sectors” in Iraq, el Roubi highlighted hospital facilities, private universities, housing, agriculture, ICT, and tourist destinations – such as hotels and theme parks – as notable investment opportunities.

In January, at the offices of Taylor DeJongh, NUSACC hosted a roundtable breakfast discussion with Mercedes Fitchett, USAID’s Private Sector Development Advisor, who was en route to Iraq. Fitchett, who manages a portfolio of issues that spans Iraq’s WTO accession, microfinance, business association development and financial services, listened intently to the concerns of the corporate community. She has been tracking Iraq issues very closely in recent years was well qualified to provide NUSACC members with a realistic assessment of commercial opportunities on the ground in Iraq.

In June, NUSACC served as a supporting sponsor of a day-long seminar at the Willard InterContinental Hotel entitled “Iraq Energy Roundtable.” Organized by the Energy Markets Group and sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the event focused on four particular areas of interest: Iraq’s Future Energy Security, National Petroleum Strategic Planning, Private Sector Opportunities, and Harnessing the Power of Human Resources.

The event included discussions on the challenges of the Iraqi petroleum sector and the role of U.S. businesses in supporting sectoral reform and Iraq’s reconstruction. The seminar was part of USTDA’s Iraqi Oil Training Program Human Resources Study Tour.