ANZ's role in Iraq Trade Bank to assist NZ exports
ANZ has confirmed it is one of a number of international banks, in a consortium led by JP Morgan Chase Bank, that has
been chosen by the Coalition Provisional Authority to assist the establishment of the Iraq Trade Bank.
The Iraq Trade Bank is a specialist bank, which will provide trade finance services to facilitate international trade as
part of Iraq's reconstruction. Terms of ANZ's involvement in the consortium are confidential however there is no Iraq
country risk involved in the arrangements.
ANZ New Zealand Head of Trade and Transaction Services Mr Graham Mills said the formation of the Iraq Trade Bank could
prove beneficial for New Zealand exporters.
"The formation of the Iraq Trade Bank by the Coalition Provisional Authority provides an avenue for New Zealand
exporters, such as those in the grains and dairy industries, to rebuild and further develop New Zealand's trade links
with Iraq," Mr. Mills said. "This may extend to opportunities for broader trade with Iraq including assistance in
rebuilding infrastructure as part of Iraq's longer-term economic redevelopment.
"As a leading trade finance bank in New Zealand and Australia it was natural for ANZ to play a role in the consortium
providing trade finance to Iraq. We already have extensive experience in providing trade finance support to New Zealand
businesses who export to the Middle East," Mr. Mills said.
The breadth of capabilities of the consortium of international commercial banks allows the Iraq Trade Bank to be
operational very quickly to support Iraq's urgent trade needs. The consortium's contract is expected to run for 12
months initially with the intention to transfer the business to the Iraqi banking system when it has been sufficiently
redeveloped.
ANZ will not have an on-the-ground presence in Iraq however it may play a role in training and knowledge transfer to
assist the redevelopment of the banking system in Iraq.
Iraq is in desperate need of trade finance to support urgent short-term humanitarian needs and imports necessary for
economic redevelopment. To date, the UN Oil for Food Program has fulfilled some trade finance needs however that program
is due to expire in November 2003.