American-led exhibition supports rebuilding of Iraqi economy

The event, which enjoys U.S. Department of Commerce 'certification' is supported by a series of workshops structured to inform Jordanian, American and other international businessmen taking part in the program how to compete for projects being administered by the Iraqi Infrastructure Reconstruction Office (IIRO) in Baghdad. Admiral David Nash (USN Ret..) director of the IIRO is keynote speaker for the workshop program, which also includes as confirmed speakers, April Foley, director of the Ex-Im Bank; Col. Tony Bell, Contracting Officer for the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad, and Robert Connan, US Commercial Service officer who heads the Baghdad Forum, the principal interface between Iraqi industry and American and other prime and sub-contractors in that nation.

The exhibition, taking place at AIMS (Amman International Motor Show facility) has attracted a broad international outpouring of participants. In addition to the American contingent, there are national pavilions from The Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Italy, Spain, Australia and Switzerland. Individual exhibitors also hail from the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, India, South Africa, Lebanon, France, Hungary, Romania and Jordan.

According to Tom Kallman, Chief Operating Officer of the newly-formed Kallman Group, the appeal of OUTREACH 2004 stems from the enthusiastic support coming from the Iraq Reconstruction Task Force at the U.S. Department of Commerce, along with the American Embassy in Amman, and the CPA in Baghdad and Kirkuk, Iraq. 'The Inter-Agency cooperation is almost unparalleled,' Kallman declared. 'It is reminiscent of the wide backing we received in 1991 when we organized the U.S. participation in the 'Rebuild Kuwait' exhibition in Manama, Bahrain.'

The workshop program is also proving popular with exhibitors and businessmen in the region. Topics being explored include the basic industrial sectors that make up the bulk of the rebuilding effort: road, port and railroad reconstruction; oil and gas recovery; water purification and distribution; electricity and power generation, healthcare delivery, financing, consortium building and harnessing technology. Jerry Kallman, CEO, who is organizing the sessions said that the line-up of experts from government and the prime contractors active in Iraq will provide a thorough 'road-map' for the traditional new-to-market company seeking a role in the $18 billion reconstruction effort now underway in the Middle East.

In addition to the exhibition and workshops, a special program of training sessions for Iraqi businessmen, is being planned by the Department of Commerce Task Force. These include setting architectural standards, computer technology and engineering basics.

U.S. Ambassador Edward Gnehm will preside at an Opening Ceremony at the AIMS facility on January 10th, followed by a press preview and exhibitors' reception.