U.S.-IRAQ Business Alliance

.

When: Thursday, November 13, 2003 Where: Black Point Inn, Scarborough, Maine	Doing Business in IRAQ

Private Sector

Business in

IRAQ

Sponsored By

U.S.-Iraq Business Alliance

College of Business, Public Policy and Health
in conjunction with the
William S. Cohen Center for International Policy and Commerce

- Notice -

U.S.-IRAQ BUSINESS CONFERENCE POSTPONED;
ORGANIZERS PLANNING MARCH EVENT

See the Press Release Here

Global Focus Series

U.S.-Iraq Business Alliance

The Global Focus Series (GFS) provides a creative, challenging venue for contemporary issues involving economics, politics, and commerce. The University of Maine's College of Business, Public Policy and Health utilizes its position in the academic environment to promote a forum to address these issues through its prominence in academics and as a source of continuous support. The GFS provides the participants the opportunity and the ability to foster and transfer a series of subjects that can be debated, studied, and researched within the Executive Education Model. The objective is to create a visual, real time "think tank" model within the University.
The Global Focus Series program seeks to establish such criteria, which support change, knowledge and a platform for debate. The creative views provide a better understanding and appreciation of the global political and economic environment in which we live.

The U.S.-Iraq Business Alliance is a non-profit corporation with its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and a Baghdad office that opened October 2003. The alliance was established to provide a local point for public and private sector collaboration in the reconstruction and growth of the Iraqi economy and to promote U.S.-Iraqi trade. It was founded in the belief that the private sector has a vital role to play in rebuilding Iraq.
The Alliance recognizes the fact that an effective bilateral business organization is essential to enable private sector firms to work together with the government on the many challenges of Iraqi reconstruction. The Alliance was established with the firm conviction that the future of Iraq is critical not only to the people of Iraq, but to regional peace, stability and prosperity, and to the security of freedom-loving people everywhere.

William S. Cohen Center for International Policy and Commerce

U.S.-Iraq Business Alliance Mission

	Encourage trade and investment between the U.S. and Iraq
	Provide a platform for member firms to work collectively and together with the Coalition Provisional Authority, the Iraqi Governing Council, and the U.S. Governemnt on the challenges of Iraqi reconstruction.
	Support the efforts of international and non-governmental organizations engaged in revitalizing the Iraqi economy and improving the lives of the Iraqi people
	Maintain a clearinghouse of talent with relevant capabilities including the diverse talents of the Iraqi expatriate community
	Facilitate dialogue between the U.S. Government, the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqi Governing Council, as well as any succeeding government in Iraq and the private sector
	Develop links between U.S. state and local governments and Iraq to promote investment and trade
	Promote global awareness of the importance and challenges of Iraqi reconstruction and renewal
	Represent and protect the interests of U.D. and other foreign investors in Iraq
	Promote joint ventures and trade opportunities
	Provide logistics, information, government assistance and other support in Iraq for member firms

The mission of the William S. Cohen Center for International Policy and Commerce will harness the unique resources of the University of Maine to enhance the international competitiveness of U.S. businesses, foster understanding of international policy issues and accelerate the economic development of Maine and the nation through undergraduate and graduate education, research and outreach activities.

Several objectives of the Cohen Center include:
	Enhancing international business education through new and existing programs.
	Cultivating in-depth understanding of international business, foreign competitors and global markets through partnerships developed within and outside of the campus.
	Promoting cultural understanding through language training, study tour courses, international internships, and other activities which engage business professionals and students of all ages.
	Serving as a national focal point for discussion and policy formulation on global competitivesness through publications, workshops, seminars and lectures.