By Sgt. 1st Class Tami Hillis
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Companies at the Iskandariyah Industrial Complex held a business exposition, Aug. 3, 2008 to highlight their various products.
The director general for the Ministry of Water Resources, director general for the Ministry of Agriculture, the deputy governor of Babil Province, and coalition forces, as well as local companies, investors and agriculture unions all attended the event.
The expo allowed companies to show off their products and solicit the support needed for these state-owned companies to become the driving force of economic development in Babil province and a model of successful privatization.
"We wanted to display our products to show what we can make and to find buyers for our products," said Amer Al-Najem, director general of State Company for Automotive Industries. "We are one of the largest companies in Iraq and we need you to support us and buy from us."
Amer also noted the improved secuity situation in the north Babil province, which was once one of the most dangerous areas in Iraq, is the reason his companies have been able to produce the equipment.
Companies displayed buses, trucks, various trailers, containerized housing units, oil refineries, tractors, plows, discs and irrigation equipment.
"(We invited them) to come see the products that are produced by the State Company for Automotive Industries and the State Company for Mechanical Industries at the Iskandariyah Industrial Complex," said Maj. George Pollin, officer in charge for Team Iskan, attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. "They need to see the products that the companies are building and what they can produce and provide for the Iraqi people as well as other businesses in Iraq."
Also mentioned during the expo was the quality of employees in the companies, due to the technical expertise the former students provide to the workforce.
"As we look at these companies' potential from our perspective, there is a tremendous amount of opportunity that these companies provide - not only to this area, but also to the region and potentially to the area outside of Iraq," said Col. Jefforey Smith, Multi-National Division – Center deputy commanding general for support.
"We believe that the training and development of the work force is very important," said Smith. "We're going to invest some coalition and U.S. dollars into the Vo-Tech and dormitories here so you can continue expanding."
In June, the Vo-Tech had 1,270 students enrolled, which is an enormous increase from the 32 students who were enrolled in November 2007. Previously, only one course was offered; now, there are 18 courses available to students.
The two companies at the IIC, SCMI and SCAI, are also rapidly returning to full capacity. The two companies employ 10,000 laborers and 400 highly-skilled engineers and technicians in Iskandariyah. Prior to the surge in 2007, there were only 1,000 employees.
"We want to do everything we can as coalition forces to enable SCAI and SCMI and the Vo-Tech to continue developing over time," said Smith. "We have been very involved in trying to attract not only Iraqi customers, but also international investors and to bring them to your companies so you can show them what your potential is."
The next step for the IIC is to follow-up on the contacts that they made during the expo to see if the government has any interest in pursuing any of the products here, Pollin said.
"I think what you've demonstrated today in this expo is going to generate a lot of conversation in the local area and the government of Iraq," Smith said.
| Date Taken: |
08.07.2008 |
| Date Posted: |
08.07.2008 03:36 |
| Story ID: |
22212 |
| Location: |
ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: |
149 |
| Downloads: |
90 |
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