FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2004
Contact: Brian Leventhal
Office of Strategic Communications
Tel: 1-914-360-5288
leventhalb@orha.centcom.mil
COMPANIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD MEET IN BAGHDAD FOR JOINT VENTURE CONFERENCE
Baghdad, Iraq. More than 35 executives from 25 companies around
the world will meet in the Baghdad Convention Center today and tomorrow to
establish “Iraq’s Joint Venture Initiative,” a program to bring Iraqi State
Owned Entities (SOE’s) and international privately held companies into
partnership in the next phase of Iraqi reconstruction.
Iraq’s Joint Venture Initiative will introduce a significant amount of private
sector investment capital into Iraqi reconstruction. In addition, the program
will provide the Iraqi workforce, whose competitive skills have been
underdeveloped by 30 years of isolation from the international community, access
to new technology, successful management techniques, and mentoring
opportunities.
Senior U.S. Advisor for Housing and Construction, Mike Karem, explained:
“Working in partnership with international companies will open the door for new
capital, new ideas, and new methodologies in Iraq. It will provide the Iraqi
workforce with the opportunity to obtain on the job training and build advanced
skills and ultimately improve their ability to compete in the world market“
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If you have any questions, please email Brian Leventhal at leventhalb@orha.centcom.mil