Zaha Hadid Architects and Central Bank of Iraq sign agreement for new headquarters

02-02-12

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LONDON, UK – Zaha Hadid joined H.E. Dr Sinan Al-Shabibi, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) at a ceremony to sign the agreement between the CBI and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) for the design stages of the new CBI Headquarters building. The ceremony was hosted at the Victoria & Albert Museum by H.E. Dr Muhielddin Hussein Abdullah, Charges d’Affaires of the Iraqi Embassy.

ZHA have already completed the client’s Brief Development and will immediately commence the design process for the new CBI Headquarters to be built on the shores of the Tigris River in Baghdad. ZHA will lead the international team of specialist consultants including: Adams Kara Taylor, Max Fordham, Newtecnic, DEGW, Gross Max, Davis Langdon, Arup, Warringtonfire, Winton Nightingale and A2 Project Managers.

Dr Sinan Al-Shabibi said: “The new building shall be a symbol of the Bank’s role in the economic development of Iraq and a reflection of the determination to rebuild the country.”

Zaha Hadid said: “I am deeply touched that I have been asked to design the new headquarters for the Central Bank of Iraq. I was born in Iraq and I still feel very close to it. I feel very privileged to be working in Iraq on a design of such national importance.”

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Economists call a project to reform the banking system

04/02/2012

Baghdad, "Iraq's gate," Mohammed Sharif

A number of economists and bankers draft to reform the banking system and the establishment of the high bank in Iraq.

They discussed at a seminar house MP Ahmed Chalabi attended by "the gate of Iraq" on Thursday and paper work included the establishment of the bank senior mission overseeing the banking supervision, and help banks to implement Basel 2, and the development of methods of control depending on the methods of control of the Central Bank and the offices of the accounting audit and finance, and improve methods of internal control in banks by focusing on highlighting the importance of monitoring capital adequacy and adherence to the provision of international standards.

And the whole meeting on the importance of passing a law to guarantee bank deposits and the establishment of an independent body to ensure the deposits in which the central bank and the Ministry of Finance and shall have the powers of an independent monitor the performance of banks and the safety of deposits, and to ensure increase in the number of bank branches operating to at least 8 times the current size during a period of five years depending the standard population.

A number of communities on the need to invest deposits in banks, programs, industry, housing and agriculture are thoughtful, so does not constitute pressure on bank liquidity, along with the importance of encouraging all banks operating in Iraq to adopt the technology modern-based information systems developed for the management of its bank, and the adoption of debit cards, mail and publish ATM tens of thousands across the country by providing technical advice and tax incentives.

He pointed to the importance of meeting the establishment of training institutes for bank staff take it upon themselves to develop and train the personnel and the use of international expertise in this area.

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Talabani: the success of the National Congress to lead in starting a new stage commensurate with the challenges facing the country

04 February, 2012

Said President Jalal Talabani said the success of the forthcoming national conference that would lead to a serious stage commensurate with the magnitude of the challenges facing the country and the political process.
Talabani said in a congratulatory message to the Iraqis and Muslims on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, that
At the forefront of national tasks faced by the Iraqis on this anniversary of the blessed is to continue to pursue efforts to overcome the outstanding issues in the political life, and the development and maturation factors in order to reach the National Conference setting a positive help in the development of dialogue and lead him to be productive for the benefit of the political process advances and get rid of obstacles.
Talabani said in the letter received Fayhaa copy of it, that would succeed and radically and decisively lead to starting a new phase commensurate with the magnitude of the challenges facing the country and its process of political, also included the transition qualitatively the performance required of the functions of internal services such as security and completion of legislation and laws to back national action and progress forward.
The Talabani at the end of his warmest congratulations to all the Muslims in Iraq and the world, calling on God to bless them as much as pleases Him and what pleases them, and that makes them safe, assured, and that is difficult Iraq, his family and is difficult Iraqis in their country and their state of peace, freedom and goodness and justice.

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General Authority for the National Alliance held a meeting this afternoon to discuss the latest developments in the political arena Allad

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Complexity of the Public Authority for the National Alliance on Saturday afternoon meeting to discuss the latest developments on the political process in the country.

A source at the National Alliance, told all of Iraq [where] on Saturday that "the General Authority for the National Alliance afternoon at four o'clock this afternoon at the home of President Ibrahim al-Jaafari coalition meeting to discuss the latest developments in the political process and media discourse within the coalition."

He added that "the meeting will discuss the work of the committees also negotiating with other political blocs and the emphasis on commitment to the Constitution and in partnership in the management of the national government."

And witnessing the political process and the relationship between the blocks exacerbated clear because of the continuing political differences between the coalition of state law and the Iraqi List, especially with regard to the issue of a warrant of arrest against the Vice President of the Republic required to eliminate Tariq al-Hashemi, and asked the Prime Minister to withdraw confidence from the Vice President Saleh al-Mutlaq, in addition to charges of Iraqi law of the state shirking on the implementation of the initiative of Erbil, which include achieving partnership in the state administration and decision-making and naming security minister and the formation of strategic policies and the lack of balance in the institutions of the state between the components of the people according to the views of Congress and the Iraqi List. ended 2

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Karbala Friday sermon preacher accused of limbs Btazim external conditions and calls on the Iraqi politicians to compromise to resolve the crisis

Friday, February 3, 2012 14:11

Accused the representative of the reference in Karbala, Ahmad net external limbs [unnamed] is working on the crisis in the Iraqi situation, calling for Iraqi politicians to "compromise to resolve the current political crisis."

Safi said in a Friday sermon that was held in the courtyard Husseini cleanser in the holy city of Karbala attended by the correspondent of the agency, all of Iraq [where] the day that "there are parties external movement of cards in the inside," he said, adding that "the reins of solving internal problems should be maintained by the hands of Iraqi. "

"The politicians should sit down and engage in dialogue to resolve problems among themselves away from external influences, explaining," We are confident a lot of brothers who own the minds of national and sense of service to the country. "

He called on politicians to the net that "their steps are quick to resolve the current political crisis," noting that "no solution to the crisis without a waiver."

He noted that "Iraq is still undiminished sovereignty because it is under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations and this is a problem external call processing," and wondered, saying, "Where are the foreign policy to resolve that problem? And who is the beneficiary of the survival of Iraq under Chapter VII of the third party?" .

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Central Bank of Iraq supports the exemption from the implementation of sanctions imposed on Iran

04/02/2012

Baghdad, February 4 (Rn) - The Central Bank of Iraq, Saturday, that Iraq can not join the international community in implementing the terms of international economic sanctions imposed on Iran because it will have a negative impact on the Iraqi economy, which remains under Chapter VII.

And signed the U.S. government in December last December a law imposing sanctions on financial institutions that deal with the Central Bank of Iran's main conduit for Iran's oil revenues, while also the European Union announced a ban on shipments of Iranian oil to be implemented starting from July next.

The deputy governor of the Central Bank of the appearance of Mohammed Saleh told the Kurdish news agency (Rn) that "Iraq's participation in the implementation of the economic sanctions on Iran will cause him damage, significant economic, because of dependence on Iran greatly in securing electric power as well as securing his goods essential."

The Iraqi government announced, on Friday, a determination to obtain an exemption from the United States on sanctions imposed on Iran because of the large volume of trade with its neighbor and to protect foreign reserves of the penalties that may be located on the countries that do not implement U.S. sanctions.

The volume of trade exchange between Baghdad and Tehran as well as $ 4 billion that Iraq imported electrical energy by 200 MW from Iran.
With regard to Iraq's position on the principle of imposing sanctions, Jawad said that "Iraq can not be involved in imposing sanctions on a country which is under Chapter VII."

Jawad added that "the Iraqi government's request from the United States with the exception of Iraq, the implementation of the sanctions comes in the right direction because it would hurt Iraq's economic policy as a private, and that Iraqi society has a real need for the market of Iran."

Under U.S. law, the White House could exempt institutions in the State if such State has reduced its dealings with Iran or in cases where the exemption servant to the interests of U.S. national security or necessary to stabilize the oil market.

Jawad concluded his speech by saying that "Iraq's position comes on the basis of international laws do not prevent civilian trade in accordance with Article 50 of the international law."

Iraq has foreign currency reserves worth $ 60 billion, mostly caused by oil revenues. And facing the countries and companies dealing with Iran to prevent the risk of dealing with the U.S. financial system under the new sanctions.

Iraq seeks to open up areas of multiple investment with regional countries that have participants economical with him, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kuwait, Egypt and other countries, where the volume of trade with Turkey about $ 10 billion while the total volume of trade with Jordan, $ 1 billion and with Syria 2 billion dollars.

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Iraq received messages reveal a "positive" from al-Maliki to resolve the differences

04/02/2012

Baghdad, February 4 (Rn) - The Iraqi List led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi on Saturday, announced that it has received positive messages from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki include earnest resolve the outstanding issues, particularly the application of agreements Arbil, partnership and balance in addition to the guarantees of the formation of the Council of strategic policies.

Has escalated the crisis between the coalition and Iraqi rule of law against the backdrop of the judiciary to issue an arrest warrant for Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi for his support of "terrorism", is regarded as false accusations Hashemi and confessions made by the protected elements of the "fabricated".

And seeks President Jalal asked me to end the political crisis through building a conference or a meeting at the level of national leaders put the blocks in which all the problems and agree on solutions.

The leading figure in the list Dhafir al-Ani told the Kurdish news agency (Rn), "The meeting which brought together three of the ministers of Iraq with al-Maliki was at the invitation of the latter to discuss resolving the political crisis," noting that "the meeting was successful and was discussed outstanding differences between Alaitlavien very seriously and openly and Minister for the positive spirit touched the Maliki became clear through a statement his office, who welcomed the return of Iraqi MPs to the Council. "

Three of the ministers of the Iraqi List, are the Ministers of Education, Science and Technology, and Agriculture met last week with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and expressed their intention to return to cabinet meetings as close to Maliki.

Ani explained that "Iraq has received positive messages from al-Maliki about his desire to resolve outstanding issues, particularly the application of agreements Erbil and file processing partnership and balance", but he also said, "until there are guarantees and the formation of the Policy Board."
He noted that the "positive messages through informed by President Jalal Talabani."

He reported that the Iraqi leadership in the waiting list in the coming days, "the assurances and statements translate into action."

According to the Iraqi List, it is subjected to marginalization and exclusion and accused al-Maliki exclusivity in decision-making, but decided to return to the days before the meetings of the House of Representatives with the continued boycott cabinet meetings.

From: Haidar Ibrahim, RN LLC

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