Draft document for posting on the CPA Web Site

THE TRADE BANK OF IRAQ Nominations from finance ministers are invited to advise the Selection Committee on the consortia for the Trade Bank. INVITATION : The Trade Bank of Iraq invites Finance Ministries from national governments with an interest in the establishment of a well-governed, creditworthy, and effective trade finance facility for Iraq to nominate members of a “Financial Experts” group to advise the Selection Committee that will review responses to the Request for Proposals (RFP) on the Trade Bank. Responses to this invitation are completely voluntary and open and it must be clear are in no way necessary for an institution of that country to receive fair consideration in the selection process. The RFP on the Trade Bank is now posted on the CPA web site, along with CPA Order #20 that established the Bank. Please refer to these postings for all information on the objectives of the Trade Bank and details on expected proposals in response to the RFP. PURPOSE : The Financial Experts group will serve as an experienced resource to the Selection Committee to provide expert advice and to ensure that the review of the proposals is thorough and is conducted with broad input and oversight from a representative group of knowledgeable and objective individuals. To this end, Finance Ministries of national governments are invited to submit names and brief biographical information by e-mail to the web address at the end of this posted message. QUALIFICATIONS : Nominees should have extensive experience in trade finance and have governmental experience directly relevant to this issue. The proposals to be submitted by bank consortia are expected to be sophisticated, detailed and technical. Therefore, the Trade Bank will insist upon clear evidence of substantive competence in the discipline under review. Nominees cannot be currently affiliated in any capacity with any private or government-owned financial institution. Nor should nominees have sufficient stock ownership in any financial institution that might prejudice their views in the selection process. Signed statements to this effect will be requested from each nominee accepted for membership on the Financial Experts group. The statements to be signed will also contain a commitment on the part of each member that any and all information declared to be proprietary information by a presenting bank or banks will not be disclosed in any manner outside the sessions to which the Financial Experts group in a part. It is requested that Finance Ministries submit names of individuals they believe will display at all times objective and professional judgment that is aimed at the ensuring the success of the Trade Bank of Iraq, and that these individuals will pursue no other interest. SELECTION : The President of the Trade Bank (or his nominee) will serve as the Chairperson of the Selection Committee. The President of the Trade Bank or his nominee will select the nominees for the Financial Experts’ group from those put forward and his selection will be final. A preference will be given to nominees resident in the countries of the Finance Ministries submitting the nominees. In the event there are more nominees than can be accommodated in the space selected for the presentations, a reasonable number of nominees will be selected to serve on the on the Financial Experts’ group. Only nominees from Finance Ministries from national governments will be considered. The final selection will be made in as objective and as fair a manner as possible based on experience and qualifications of the nominees. An effort will be made to achieve wide geographic representation in the group. SUBMISSION DEADLINE : Nominations must be submitted by 6PM GMT Monday August 11 to be considered. Finalists will be notified by 6PM GMT Wednesday August 13. MEETING VENUE AND PROTOCOLS: The Selection Committee will convene in Bahrain from August 19 through August 21 to review the proposals. Members of the Financial Experts group are expected to participate in all sessions during which presentations by banks are made. A strict passport ID check will be used for admission to all sessions. Members of the Financial Experts group will witness each presentation and, during the discussion period following each presentation, members will be permitted to submit questions (or points of clarification) to the Selection Committee to be asked of the banks making the presentation. Only members of the Selection Committee will be permitted to pose questions directly to the presenting banks. Following each bank presentation, and once the presenters have departed, a review of the presentation will take place. There will also be a review upon the completion of all presentations. During these reviews the Chair of the Selection Committee will welcome input from members of the Financial Experts group. Once all the bank presentations have been completed on August 21, the Selection Committee will meet to select the winning consortium of banks. This selection will be conveyed to the Administrator of the CPA for final approval. The Selection Committee will meet alone to select the winning consortium. Members of the Financial Experts group selected by the President of the Trade Bank will be expected to make and pay for all travel arrangements to and from Bahrain, to include all per diem expenses. SUBMISSION ADDRESS AND REQUIRED INFORMATION : Please reply to this invitation to the following address: Tradebankfeg@do.treas.gov The name, title, exact official address and contact information (e-mail and telephone number) of the nominating official must accompany the request for the nomination to be valid.