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[ This message has been sent to you via the CASI-analysis mailing list ] Greetings to all. It is not possible to treat all the SOEs in a similar way. Consider the following: Iraqi State Company for Water Transport - part of the Ministry of Transport - government monopoly ship agents. Such monopolies are almost universally disliked by shipping companies, including SOEs from other countries. In the normal commercial competitive world, individual shipping companies want separate agencies to handle their marketing and operations without conflict of interest or disclosure of commercial information. ISCWT have offices which are now empty of all furniture and equipment as a consequence of looting. Staff of any qualification and experience are already appearing in other shipping and agency organisations now freer to act as if the monopoly no longer exists. It is unlikely that this organisation can or will be revived even though legally its theoretical monopoly continues. Iraqiline - pre-1990 dry cargo fleet operating about 15 owned and a number of chartered ships Use of the ships was stopped by sanctions. They sat idle in various ports until most had rotted. A good number were eventually sold for scrap or limited use after expensive refurbishment. I am not aware if any remain. Some staff have continued to attend the office since 1990, but with no real job to do. Many officers and crew found work outside Iraq. Unless finance is found for new ships, training, and re-establishment of the operation, there is little hope of the survival of this organisation and nothing to sell except perhaps offices. Iraqi Tanker Co - pre-1990 oil tanker fleet - in a similar position as Iraqiline Iraqi Port Authority - still up and running. There is a slightly awkward relationship with the US company, SSA, who were contracted for port management. There are short and long term problems in respect of tariffs and new equipment investment which are capable of resolution in a number of ways. I believe that the US$ 18 billion funding package includes provision for some equipment such as new container gantry cranes. There is no reason why this organisation should not continue for the indefinite future given a sensible structure and financing until and unless privatisation is seen as an attractive option or an end in itself. It is very likely that a privatised port authority or a larger scale management contractor will want to keep existing trained and qualified local staff. Iraqi Land Transport Company - semi-monopoly of road haulage. The situation is unclear, but it appears that individual drivers have already "privatised" the trucks they were driving in March 2003. Iraqi Grain Board - import, distribution, and storage of rice and wheat - Still up and running, an essential part of the "Oil for Food" import and distribution scheme. Owns silos in Umm Qasr and numerous warehouses etc elsewhere. Whilst it is quite possible to anticipate the market being opened to private trader imports, it is hard to expect that traders will come into the market until and unless there is a stable and organised local market in which they can sell. This cannot exist whilst the "Oil for Food" distribution continues. No doubt this will exercise many economist brains for the months (or years) to come. General Organisation for Motor Vehicles - monopoly vehicle importer Already undermined by the huge influx of second hand cars in the last 6-8 months. Manufacturers are already tentatively establishing new agencies and distributors. Its assets are unknown to me, but since Saddam habitually imported and distributed cars, for example, as rewards or presents for army officers and similar, and sanctions created many other restrictions, it is unlikely that this organisation has the panopoly of show rooms and service centres which would make it easily saleable. National Insurance Company Still up and running and open for business. Pre-1990, Iraqis were well known in the Arab Gulf for good technical insurance experience and qualification. Reserves are unknown. Funds in US$ held in London were frozen in 1990. Normal reinsurances were brought to a halt by sanctions. Possibly a good candidate for sale to or takeover by an interested international underwriter. No doubt someone in the CPA is working on a far more detailed list? Happy new year, Mark Galloway _______________________________________ Sent via the CASI-analysis mailing list To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-analysis All postings are archived on CASI's website at http://www.casi.org.uk