New challenges for the European Industry in Iraq - CEC starts third year of Rebuild Iraq Recruitment Program (RIRP)

Already in the 70's and 80's German companies ran projects (e.g. infrastructure, water treatment, telecommunication and plant building) in Iraq and also took part in the UN 'Oil for Food' Program. This makes them an essential and most welcome partner for the rebuilding of Iraq. Projects, managed and realized by German and European companies, contribute to an important part of the rebuilding of Iraq.

The latest events however demonstrate vividly how important it is to work with local employees who generate new business and monitor and manage new and ongoing projects on site.

Currently 18.700 Iraqi executives and specialists from all branches are registered with RIRP. In addition to this the RIRP has about 45.000 qualified engineers at its disposal through the cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Through this cooperation and engagement the RIRP and the German Industry contribute to the rebuilding of Iraq.

One of the main site projects in the south of Iraq is the Khor Al Zubayr Private Freezone (KAZPZ). The RIRP is supporting the German-Iraqi Joint Venture Consortium, which is setting up the Free Zone near the Khor Al Zubayr port.

With the progression of the project, the Khor Al-Zubair Private Free Zone Development Company was established by the German-Iraq consortium which will realise the project under German authority.

'Economic development and free visible trade is the basis for the political and economic rebuilding of Iraq. The Khor Al-Zubair Private Free Zone will help to establish transparent business relations between International Investors and Iraq. Creating a reasonable Win Win Situation for both sides has top priority', says Mr. Arndt Fritsche, Head of Mission of the RIRP program.

Apart from the support of Iraqi industry and institutions, the Free Zone Project offers the International Industry the chance to establish their Iraq business in a relatively safe environment to take place in the economic recovery of Iraq.

In addition to this, the RIRP is setting up a Port training project which is supported by the German Government. The success of the Free Zone project depends on the professionalism of the port working force. Trainings and qualifications for executives and specialists in the fields of port logistic, storage logistic, administration, management, port security and engineering are about to be designed and developed.

To provide a solid basis for coming projects and requirements the training programs initialized and organised by RIRP for companies as well as public facilities become more and more important. These trainings ensure that the Iraqi specialists are in the best possible position to represent the companies on site in the most efficient way

The training initiatives organised by RIRP range from advanced training for engineers from the field of Plant- and Power Engineering for companies like ABB up to trainings for public facilities like the port of Khor Al Zubair. For the employees of Khor Al Zubair, in cooperation with HPTI (Hamburg Port Training Institute), trainings are realised to increase the efficiency of the handling capacity. These trainings take place in Germany and Kuwait.

The RIRP expanded its services for companies in the fields of consulting, tender support, project evaluation and public sector lobbying.
This way, member companies of the RIRP have the opportunity to obtain information about business opportunities, potential business partners, suppliers or vendors. Within these services the RIRP offers, on the basis of concrete inquiries, the evaluation of potential Iraqi business partners and companies from all branches for future cooperation.