Simultaneous translation Arabic – English will be provided throughout the 2 day Conference
الترجمة الفورية ستكون متوفرة في الموتمر وعلي مدى اليومين – العربية والإنجليزية
Thank You to All Attendees, Speakers & Sponsors of the 6th Basra Megaprojects
The CWC Group would like to thank the Sponsors, Speakers and all Attendees for contributing to the grand success of this year’s 6th Basra Megaprojects – Oil, Gas & Environment Conference which took place in Istanbul last week, on 22-23 October 2019.
Held under the high patronage of the Governorate of Basra, the Basra Council and Basra Oil Company, the Conference is one of the key events of the year for a region that is of vital importance to Iraq’s economy, providing most of Iraq’s GDP. This year the event focused on diversification and on creating more job opportunities for the increasingly young population.
The 6th edition gathered over 200 senior industry executives and projects leaders with Government representatives to discuss oil and gas megaprojects with a focus on environmental solutions and working towards Iraq’s strong and competitive position in the global energy scene.
We’re delighted to announce the 7th edition will take place in July 2021 in Istanbul. Get in touch to register your interest!
2019 Conference Highlights Included:
The 6th Basra Megaprojects Conference this year focused on diversification and on creating more job opportunities for the increasingly young population. The event took place following the recent sad events in Iraq and gave the Basra Governorate a platform to support the diversification plans.
This year the program was built to discuss a variety of topics from geopolitics and environment, to market dynamics and major shifts in business strategies across the value chain as well as the development of partnerships, technology transfer and investment.
Throughout the discussion, there was a push to support further production growth in Iraq, develop new capacity, open new markets and create the right environment to secure investment to generate more job opportunities for the Iraqi people.
All companies gathered at the Conference support the push to create the right conditions to help them thrive and create jobs for the Iraqi work force. Most of the speakers and delegates discussed how to create the right market conditions and the political landscape which should be predictable and reliable for these businesses to thrive.
In a comprehensive opening of the Conference there was a discussion about the international vision for Basra and the Basra oil fields projects updates. The electricity sector updates were covered as well as energy infrastructure and bridging the skill gap for the Iraqi local workforce.
The Conference touched upon the water challenges and requirements and the need for international investment, as well as the role of gas and the environmental solutions and Iraq’s strategy for Basra on the environment. The event concluded with the projects updates and roundtables tenders announcements for 2019.
SPEAKER UPDATES INCLUDED:
- Dr Kevin Kveton, Director, Iraq Exploration & Business Development, Chevron Europe, Eurasia & Middle East Exploration & Production referred to Iraq as a ‘nation of immense potential’
- Zaid Elyaseri, Country Manager, BP Iraq updated the gathering on Rumaila latest projects
- Abdulla al Qadi, Executive Director, Exploration and Production, Crescent Petroleum highlighted Crescent role as one of few companies to actively seek gas opportunities in Iraq
- Billy Morley, Global Account Manager – Oil and Gas, Aggreko highlighted flare and associated gas to power role in Iraq part of Aggreko’s vision for the Iraqi market and for Basra.
- Klaus Schick, Managing Director, ILF Consulting Engineers – Abu Dhabi discussed the reasons behind desalination of seawater for Basra
- Abbas Maher, Mayor of Al Zubair, Basra Governorate, Federal Government of Iraq represented the Basra Governor and outlined all the details of the new projects for investment including the Mega Industrial and Commercial City in Basra
The event was complemented by a wide range of exclusive networking opportunities including a Gala Dinner, hosted by SAP on an exclusive evening on the Bosphorus.
The Conference this year paid a special recognition to the environment of this country, honoring a company that has been working hard to protect the world of the future, the world that the future generation will inherit.
The winner of the Basra Environmental Award is RSK. The company has taken extraordinary steps to learn about Iraq’s local environmental problems and to educate others and most importantly, to take action by helping clean the air, the water and the land. They have established remediation, site investigation, waste management, environmental monitoring among some important steps. Mr David Taylor the Director Global Division, RSK Group Ltd received the Award and thanked the Conference for this recognition and said “we are thrilled to receive the award and this will be an incentive for us to do more to support the Basra environment”.
2019 Distinguished Speakers Included:
H.E. Asaad Abdulamir Abdulghafar Al-IdanGovernor of BasraFederal Government of Iraq
H.E. Asaad Abdulamir Abdulghafar Al-Idan
Governor of Basra
Federal Government of Iraq
HE Asaad Abdulameer Abdulghafar Al-Idan, Governor Basra, holds a BSC in Electronic Engineering, he held several positions including; Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Bank of Al Bilad, he has an extensive experience in investment, banking and trade, he also worked at the Iraqi Trade Bank as a Director from 2006-2011. He participated in the Shaaban Uprising, he fled to Islamic Republic of Iran, he was then arrested and sentenced to death and then his sentence was reduced to life in prison. After the fall of the Baathist regime, he worked within the National De-Baathification Commission.
MP Hussain Al FaizDeputy Chairman of the Oil & Gas CommitteeFederal Parliament of Iraq
MP Hussain Al Faiz
Deputy Chairman of the Oil & Gas Committee
Federal Parliament of Iraq
He is the current Deputy Chairman of the Oil & Gas Committee, Federal Parliament of Iraq, he is the candidate of the Victory Alliance for Dhi Qar, assumed a number of high ranking roles in Iraq, last role he assumed before his nomination to the parliament is the responsibility of the coordination of the Committee between the National Security and the Prime Minister’s office.
H.E. Dr Laith KubbaSenior Advisor to Iraq's Prime MinisterFederal Government of Iraq
H.E. Dr Laith Kubba
Senior Advisor to Iraq's Prime Minister
Federal Government of Iraq
Laith Kubba was a senior director for Middle East and North Africa programs at the National Endowment for Democracy since 1999. In 2005, he served as a senior advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister and as a spokesman for the Iraqi government. He was formerly director of international relations at the Al-Khoei Foundation in London, a global charity and faith-based endowment, and founded the International Forum for Islamic Dialogue, a London-based network of liberal Muslim activists and intellectuals. He regularly contributes in global media talks on democratization in the Middle East and North Africa, Islam and democracy, and politics in Iraq. Dr. Kubba holds a B.A. from the University of Baghdad, Iraq, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, UK.
Ambassador Ramon BlecuaAdvisor to Arab House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain & Former EU Ambassador to IraqFormer Head of DelegationDelegation of the European Union to Iraq
Ambassador Ramon Blecua
Advisor to Arab House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain & Former EU Ambassador to Iraq
Ambassador Ramon Blecua has held several postings in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassies of Spain in Ghana, Indonesia, Egypt and Guatemala from 1988 to 1996. He was Spanish Representative to the Palestinian/Israeli peace negotiations in Cairo from 1992 to 1995. He participated in the International Commission Security Sector Reform of Guatemala and Cooperation Aid Coordinator for implementation of the peace agreements. In 1997, he was appointed Head of Office of the Director of the Institute for Cooperation with Latin America in the Spanish Agency for international Cooperation and Advisor of the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Latin America. Subsequent postings include Chief of Cabinet of the Director of the Cervantes Institute, Deputy Head of Mission in Teheran, Deputy Consul General in Buenos Aires and Cultural Counsellor in Cairo. He was Advisor for the International Center Oscar Niemeyer in Aviles for cultural Diplomacy Projects, Deputy Head of Mission in the Spanish Embassy in New Delhi from 2011 to 2014 and since 2014 Head of Political Section of the EU Delegation in Sana. He has been invited to lecture by International IDEA, the Latin American Center of Administration for Development, Argentinian Center for Foreign Relations, Aspen Institute, universities and research centers on issued of international cooperation, democratic governance and international relations. Ambassador Blecua Casas holds a M.A in history from Madrid Complutense University, and has studies in International Cooperation, Foreign Relations and Cultural Management. He has also published articles and essays on international relations, development cooperation and cultural diplomacy. He speaks English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Persian and Arabic.
Dr Dara ReshidDeputy Minister, Deputy Head of (REFAATO)Ministry of Construction, Housing & General Municipalities, Federal Government of Iraq
Dr Dara Reshid
Deputy Minister, Deputy Head of (REFAATO)
Ministry of Construction, Housing & General Municipalities, Federal Government of Iraq
Dr Dara Hassan Reshid is the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and General Works and Vice President of REFAATO. He was previously Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs from 2010 to 2013 and a Special Adviser to the President of KRG on development, construction and investment from 2005 to 2010. Mr Reshid holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering and an M.Sc. in Highway & Traffic Engineering.
H.E. Nafaa Abdulsada Ali Al-HmidawiSenior Deputy MinisterMinistry of Electricity, Federal Government of Iraq
H.E. Nafaa Abdulsada Ali Al-Hmidawi
Senior Deputy Minister
Ministry of Electricity, Federal Government of Iraq
Deputy Minister of Transmission and Distribution Affairs, Ministry of Electricity (MoE) / Federal Government of Iraq
BSc. In Electrical Engineering from the University of Salah el Din-IRAQ
Employment record:
1.
|
Started as an Engineer at the State Directorate of Baghdad Electricity Distribution (1986 – 2000) and take several responsibilities during this period.
|
4.
|
Assistant of Director General in State Company of Baghdad Electricity Distribution (2000 – 2003).
|
5.
|
Director General of State Company of Baghdad Electricity Distribution (2003).
|
6.
|
Director General of State Directorate of Rusafa Electricity Distribution (2003-2008).
|
7.
|
Director General, Energy Distribution Office-MoE HQ (2008-2016).
|
8.
|
Director General, Training and Development Office-MoE (2016-2018).
|
9.
|
Director General, State Company of Baghdad Electricity Distribution -MoE (2018).
|
10.
|
Deputy Minister of Energy Transmission and Distribution Affairs (2019).
|
Attended many training courses inside and outside Iraq (Network Planning, Control/Operating Devices for Substations and Control Centers, Leadership Training Program).
Awarded many letters of appreciations from different Ministries, Local and International Agencies and Governmental authorities.
Dr Kevin KvetonDirector, Iraq Exploration & Business DevelopmentChevron Europe, Eurasia & Middle East Exploration & Production
Dr Kevin Kveton
Director, Iraq Exploration & Business Development
Chevron Europe, Eurasia & Middle East Exploration & Production
Kevin Kveton is Director of Iraq Business Development. Based in London, he assumed his current position in July 2017.
Dr. Kveton joined Chevron in 1989 and has held numerous domestic and international assignments in exploration, business development, and geological research & development.
His overseas resident assignments included Australia, Papua New Guinea, Bahrain, Indonesia, and Thailand with responsibilities also covering Qatar, Myanmar, and China along with new venture work across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Dr. Kveton is a 1989 graduate from the University of Washington in Seattle with a Ph.D. in Geology.
Zaid ElyaseriCountry ManagerBP Iraq
Zaid Elyaseri
Country Manager
BP Iraq
Zaid Elyaseri is responsible for managing BP’s business integration in Iraq and is responsible for working with key energy officials in Iraq. BP is the lead contractor for developing Rumaila oil field, Iraq’s largest field. Zaid has held various central and regional finance/commercial roles and was involved in setting up business processes for Rumaila. Prior to working at BP, Zaid worked for KPMG UK and has headed advisory and risk positions in the Middle East. In 2014, Zaid took up the position of BP Iraq Deputy Country Manager and in 2015 was appointed as BP Iraq Country Manager.
Explore the Vast Investment Opportunities in the South of Iraq
Iraq’s National Investment Commission (NIC) announced 157 large- and medium-sized projects that span all sectors of the Iraqi economy, including oil and gas, transport, housing, agriculture and education. Please click below to download the full document.
Source: iraq-businessnews.com
Investment opportunities found in Iraq today vary in terms of type, size, scope, sector, and purpose, the door is wide open for all investors who wish to hold investment projects in Iraq. See the details in the Investment Map of Iraq 2019 below.
Source: investpromo.gov.iq
With Thanks to Our 2019 Industry Support:
Discover Innovative Technologies & Solutions for Basra's Megaprojects
Watch the Video by UNESCO on Iraq Water Projects

Watch the video by UNESCO in association with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to find out about water issues in Iraq.
Innovation in water projects is key for Iraq with the growing pressures and the challenges that Iraq is facing nowadays; Iraq needs to ensure that water quality and environment standards whilst ensuring the sustainability of this resource.
Bringing Together Leading Businesses to Share Solutions
for a Sustainable Future
This exciting new environmental initiative, supported by the Ministry of Oil and Basra Oil Company, will be launched this year as part of the Basra Megaprojects Conference to highlight the importance of integrating the latest technology and environmental solutions for these project developments. The Conference will look at the environmental issues in Iraq, how they can be solved, the changing face of Basra’s environmental regulatory framework and promising megaprojects that will contribute to a sustainable future for Iraq.
Find out more Discover environmental solutions
Meet Delegates from the Entire Oil & Gas Value Chain
You will be able to meet with influential members of the government, industry stakeholders, buyers and sellers – ensuring that you meet the right people for your business.
With Active Support & Participation From:
Unlock the Vast Potential of Basra’s Energy Sector
For programme & speaker enquiries, please contact Nawar Abdulhadi on +44 20 7978 0093
For sponsorship & attending enquiries, please contact Scott Shelton on +44 20 7978 0088
or email Basra@thecwcgroup.com