Posted on 03/23/2009 4:32:46 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD — Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan (JCC-I/A) recently provided 40 prospective and current female Iraqi vendors with training dealing specifically with U.S. Government contracts here.
The in-depth training was spearheaded by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sandra Rodriguez-Brown from JCC-I/A’s Director of Business Development and Outreach Office. The training is offered twice a month in an attempt to reach as many women vendors as possible.
The instruction covered preparation and submission of contracts in support of the Regional Contracting Centers located throughout Iraq.
In addition, the Business Development and Outreach Program offers specialized training for vendors who are interested in expanding their businesses in the agri-business, environmental, defense, security and other sectors.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, JCC-I/A Commanding General, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. William Phillip, joined the recent training session as a guest speaker.
“One goal of the Coalition Force and the United States mission [in] Iraq is to support the development of a prosperous and stable Iraq that is integrated into the world economy. And you are a part of this crucial endeavor,” Phillips told the women in the audience. “We share a purpose to make a difference in assisting the women of Iraq by playing a major role in the rebuilding of community economies and Iraq’s future.”
Iraqi Women-Owned Businesses (IWOB) in 2008 executed 1,020 contracting actions and $187 million in awarded contracts, according to Rodriquez-Brown, which totaled nearly four percent of total contracting actions and three percent of total dollars awarded impacting Iraq’s economy as a whole.
IWOB’s success last year has placed the vendors in a position to be as successful in 2009; they currently account for 161 contracting actions totaling $15 million in awarded contracts this year.
“As we continue the progress achieved to date, I want to impress upon you the importance of setting and maintaining the highest standards of business ethics and discipline in contracting,” said Phillips.
This will ensure that JCCI/A is serving its clients properly and providing the necessary tools and means to compete for business contracts throughout Iraq.
JCC-I/A’s Business Development & Outreach Office continues to promote and develop the capacity of Iraq’s economy through greater vendor utilization to fulfill U.S. force’s requirements, which assists Iraq’s transition to a vibrant self-sustaining free market economy.
“The 12 Business Development Consultants (BDC) provide host-nation business training and data base registration. BDCs are a communication conduit between our regional contracting centers and the local business communities,” said Phillips. “They are our advisors and are successful business professionals who speak Arabic and understand the culture. BDCs are here to help and are a vital part of the process of moving Iraqi businesses forward.”
According to Rodriguez-Brown, through the Iraqi First Program, which includes the Women-Owned Business Initiative, JCC-I/A’s aim is to help Iraq revive its local business communities and increase opportunities for local economic development and local employment growth. The Government of Iraq, U.S. Government and host-nation vendors are all committed to improving the participation of women in business as part of growing Iraq’s economy.
Phillips closed the training by saying, “As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I honor you as women of history … I also honor you for your courage, service and commitment to making a better Iraq … you are changing your world!”
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