Wheels of industry start to turn again (Iraqi Industry)

Multi-National Forces-Iraq ^ | Spc. Rodney Foliente

[SandRat]

CAMP LIBERTY — “With unity and security, there will be prosperity,” said Col. Robert Scurlock Jr., 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division commander in a press conference Wednesday.

Another way to improve prosperity is to turn once dormant factories into bustling centers of activity again.

Recently the Multi-National Division – Baghdad assessment team conducted a three-day visit of seven state-owned factories in Baghdad in a continuing effort, coordinated with Coalition forces and the Iraqi government, to help improve local industry.

The goal of the operation is to increase the factories’ productivity, which will hopefully lead to an increase in employment, stimulation of the local economies and stability in the local neighborhoods.

“The Iraqi government has been very supportive of our efforts,” said Navy Cmdr. Jeff Hensley. He is attached to MND-B’s civil military operations, and leader of the assessment team.

“Through our cooperation with the Iraqi Reconstruction Management Office, we have asked and received permission from the Ministry of Industry and Minerals to conduct assessments of their companies. They appear very enthusiastic about the prospect of seeing economic development take hold in Iraq and appreciate our assistance."

In June, the assessment team also visited four other state-owned factories in and around northern Baghdad and plans to continue visiting production plants throughout the MND-B area of operations.

“We’re trying to develop an engagement plan specifically tailored to each state-owned production plant,” said Air Force Capt. William Deitch, judge advocate general.

Tahseen, an Iraqi factory manager, expressed his excitement and eagerness to work with MND-B toward improving the factory, the local area and the economy.

Training in management, marketing, finance and other essential business skills is something that can be facilitated by organic MND-B assets and outside organizations, said Hensley.

“In some cases, we can help identify sources of funding for broken or outdated equipment necessary to restart production lines,” said Hensley.

There are also other economic advantages that arise from increasing the productivity of these factories, said Hensley.

“Many of these companies are anchors in a micro-economy – one frequently plagued by violence and unrest,” explained Hensley. “The economic multiplier effect of additional wages being funneled into the surrounding communities is potentially huge.”

Smaller businesses are likely to benefit, generating more business and employment.

That is one of the overall goals: to improve security, said Hensley.

“We focus on the troubled areas of Baghdad in hopes that an increase in employment will improve the areas’ security,” said Deitch. Supporting employment and boosting the economy helps strengthen and rebuild the infrastructure, he said.

“When a young man is without a job and struggling to feed his family, he’s not likely to have a lot of confidence in the current government of Iraq,” Hensley said. “If that same young man can be gainfully employed in an honorable trade, he is much more likely to turn against those who threaten the country’s stability – like the (terrorists). He becomes part of the solution to this country’s problems instead of part of the problem.”

Hensley said the assessment team’s role is a relatively small one in the grand scheme.

“My team and I are simply trying to get the ball rolling,” he said. “It will be the managers and the employees of these (factories) that will play the key role in Iraq’s economic development; they are highly motivated to succeed.”

[SandRat]

OHHHHHHH,......All you RATS!!!!!! What's that you were saying.

[RightWhale]

Iraqis are good engineers when allowed. What do the factories produce? Any idea?

[SandRat]

Tobacco Products, Household Goods, that I heard.

[RightWhale]

It's a start. With the oil/gas resource they could have a hefty petrochemical industry.

[bert]

I think of the Royal Saudi commission on jubail and Yanbu. I think of the square miles of desert as far as you can see in 1977 and the same square miles of residential and industrial development now showing lots of lush green vegitation. I think of the trucks plying the super hi way from jubail to Dammam and Riyadh. I think of the smaller factories in Dammam making things from the plastics and chemicals.

The Americans of Bechtel were given the contract to create a great industrial cities from nothing.....

Then I think of Basrah and Mosul....... I think of the trucks headed to Saudi Arabia and the UAE .....and back with the trade goods of the UAE.

The GCC is prospering.... wealth is being created.


W made it possible Then there will be Jordan and Egypt and Lebanon and guess what..... Israel.