Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government

The government of Kurdistan Region is doing everything necessary to achieve self-sufficiency of the Region within the new federal Iraq. Kurdistan Region is well-known for its investment-friendly law thanks to which the Investment Board of Kurdistan has been so far able to attract more than $22 billion of investments since 2006. Mr. Barzani also stresses the importance of understanding and recognition of the difficulties the Region had to overcome in the past.

Peshraw Majid Agha, CEO of Falcon Group and Empire World - Iraq

The international and local investments into the Kurdistan Region have affected it positively though the lack of credit system in Kurdistan still hinders larger, long-term investments. On the other hand, the cash-based projects are less riskier than projects financed through bank loans like in the US, Europe or UAE. Falcon Group, one of the leading companies in Iraqi Kurdistan, earns money from Iraq and invests it back in Iraq; its primary effort is to rebuild Iraq and its different sectors of economy.

Kawa A. Junad, CEO of Newroz Telecom

Newroz group is a regional telecom group. When Newroz Telecom began their operation in 2005 the internet penetration rate was almost zero. Newroz Telecom was the first company to interconnect Iraq around the world and replace the old connections. Following the recent negative experience in Iraq, Newroz Telecom is now focusing on Kurdistan only. The company plans to deploy 4G (LTE) all over the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Joe Faddoul, Chairman of BML Istisharat

Joe Faddoul describes BML Istisharat as a boutique IT company which products can smoothly run in London, Mauritania, Kuala Lumpur as well as in Paris. The banking, insurance and ERP products of BML Istisharat run in many languages, too. Mr. Faddoul says that adaptation and flexibility are the keys for the success a business like BML Istisharat.

H.E. Nicolas Nahas, Minister of Economy and Trade of Lebanon

The current Lebanese government is trying to disassociate Lebanon from the regional conflicts and bring stability to the coutry in order to foster growth. Either way, Lebanese economy is different from the other economies, therefore it has to be analyzed in a different way. H.E. Nicolas Nahas thinks Lebanon has an interesting potential in long-term export.

H.E. Riad Salameh, Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon

Exlusive interview with the Governor of Banque du Liban (Central Bank of Lebanon) about the monetary policy and vision for 2012.

Edison Lobao, Minister of Mines and Energy of Brazil

Mr. Lobao highlights the importance of energy for Brazil. Brazil is now building four new rafineries. For the future, Brazil's role is to become an important partner with the world's biggest economies.

Fernando Pimentel, H.E. Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (H.E. Ministro do Desenvolvimento, Indústria e Comércio Exterior)

H.E. Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade discusses the trade in Brazil, its prospects and the overall economy and the future of Brazil.