Interviews - MarcoPolis

Meaza Ashenafi, Chairperson of Enat Bank
In Ethiopia, private banks has been flourishing since 1994. The story of Enat Bank is indeed very inspirational. “We wanted to change the narrative; we wanted to change the story about women and finance, and women and economic empowerment. So it was eleven women who came together and decided to start this bank,” explains Meaza Ashenafi. “It became a brand and it became quite powerful because in Ethiopia, the literal meaning of Enat is “mother” but it goes beyond that. It’s about loyalty, care, embracing, foundation, and even about earth.”

Agriculture is the most attractive investment opportunity in Ethiopia, says Addis Chamber of Commerce

January 9, 2014

Getachew Regassa, Secretary General of Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations
“Ethiopia has shown serious growth in the last 10 years. Just last year we had a 9.7% GDP growth. There is also a lot of development of infrastructure going on and a vibrant business interaction in the city. The results of the economic growth that we are seeing are stimulating the business, trade and service industry,” notes Mr Getachew Regassa.

Falcon Group Iraq Security Kurdistan Interviews

Falcon Security: One of the Best Security Companies in Iraq

January 8, 2014

Falcon Security was established in 2003 as one of the first companies to be registered not only in Iraq but also as a local company. Falcon Security, a part of Falcon Group, is currently employing 540 local people and about 75 expats. Their main business is in the oil service; providing security services for the executives and employees as they move back and forth to the oil fields. Falcon Security operates all over Iraq; from Basra to Baghdad to Kirkuk to Erbil.

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Falcon Oil & Gas: Becoming the Leader in Rental Equipment and Warehousing in Iraq

January 8, 2014

Falcon Oil and Gas (Falcon Group) began its operations in early 2013. The company provides specialized rental equipment and warehousing facilities to the major oil and gas companies and also service companies that are working in Iraqi Kurdistan. Falcon Oil and Gas aims to attract more international companies to the region through various joint ventures.

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National Commercial Bank: Strategy to Become the Best Bank in Libya

January 8, 2014

Suleiman E. Alazzabi, Managing Director of National Commercial Bank (NCB)
National Commercial Bank expects 5 to 10% growth of the Libyan banking sector in 2013/2014. As a part of their strategy, National Commercial Bank plans to establish a financial leasing company that will merge the traditional commercial side with the Islamic one, and an IT company. The Bank’s vision is to be the market leader in terms of transparency, quality and quantity of products. The MD is sure the National Commercial Bank will differentiate from other Libyan banks in terms of services and transparency during 2014/2015.

Libya Industry Interviews

Portrait of Libyan Businessman: The Interview with Mohamed Raied

January 7, 2014

Mohamed Raied, Chairman of Al-Naseem Food Industries
“Everyone knows it was difficult for 40 years, especially difficult for the private sector in Libya. I had started with a food stuff trade in 1989 on a small scale with one shop in Misrata, then had an ice cream factory in 1993 and first I had only a basic ice cream machine that would produce 2,000 pieces/cups,” recalls Mohamed Raied. Today, Al Naseem is trying to be number one in Libya in producing dairy products.

Libya Investment Interviews

Libyan Investments: Latest Analysis of Investments in Libya

January 3, 2014

Khaled Al Bakory, CEO of Privatization and Investment Board (PIB)
Most of companies from all over the world are concentrating on investments in the oil sector of Libya. However, the country has, according to Al Bakory, other attractive investment opportunities, particularly in the health and transportation sector. The aim of Privatization & Investment Board of Libya has been to attract variety of investment projects, including tourism and transportation.

Iraq Security Kurdistan HP Top Interviews Kurdistan Oil and Gas Kurdistan Oil and Gas Interviews

Repsol’s Experience in Iraq: “Falcon Security is Doing a Fantastic Job”

January 3, 2014

Repsol is an international oil company (originally from Spain) that has been working in Kurdistan since mid-2011. Repsol has ongoing explorations in two blocks in the region and hopes to follow the success route of oil discoveries in Iraqi Kurdistan.

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Healthcare Sector in Iraqi Kurdistan Recording Double Digit Growth

January 3, 2014

A revival of the health care sector in Iraqi Kurdistan happened 6 or 7 years ago. Healthcare facilities in Erbil, including private hospitals, experienced an increased demand as, due to security concerns in Iraq, more and more patients from different regions of Iraq started to come for treatment. In that time, Zozik Group opened its Soran Hospital. At present, Soran Hospital has 50 beds, 6 operation rooms, an IVF section, and all the other specializations except for the open heart operations and brain surgeries.

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$25 Billion Spent on Development of Erbil Governorate Between 2004-2012

January 3, 2014

$25 billion had been spent on the development of the Erbil governorate in between 2004 and 2012, resulting in profound changes in different sectors, including construction and infrastructure, which predisposed Erbil to become an important trade center not only for Iraqi Kurdistan but for all of Iraq; thus becoming, for some, the economic capital of Iraq. Accommodating 37 nationalities and 27 consulates, Erbil boasts with an unemployment rate of about 5% and was named the tourism capital of 2014.