An Iraqi tile-maker puts the finishing touches on a piece of tile as a Soldier from 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Division, walks through the factory in Boob al-Sham, July 30. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

In an open-air factory on the outskirts of northeast Baghdad, Iraqi workers diligently polish mosaic tiles with buffers, spraying water in circular, cascading waves. An Iraqi teenager sweeps the water toward a drainage ditch with a determined look on his face as the workers’ machines drone on noisily. The owner of the factory, a distinguished Iraqi man with salt and pepper hair, strides toward the wrought iron gate of his factory. With open arms and a wide, beaming smile, he greets American Soldiers and Iraqi federal police officers at the entry gate.

The factory owner, Kaled Waead al-Hahed, is happy to see the Soldiers because, being a member of the Factory Owners Association, he knows they are here to help.

By visiting with Iraqi factory owners, July 30, members of the 1479th Civil Affairs Company, embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team and 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, furthered the mission of improving economic growth in the area.

The FOA is a council formed and funded by coalition forces to organize the factory owners in the area, explained Staff Sgt. John O’Leary, an Army Reserve civil affairs specialist from Tewksbury, Mass.

The association is receiving help from CF, but will ultimately be Iraqi organized, controlled and funded, he added.

“Eventually, the owners will pay dues, get training, meet important social contacts, and receive training on new equipment and new machines,” explained O’Leary, assigned to the 1479th CA Co., 450th CA Bn., 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “They may not see immediate effects, but the factory owners can tell it’s beneficial for them in the long run.”

According to Blake Keller, an industrial advisor assigned to Baghdad ePRT 3, the local factory owners will elect officers to represent them on the council, provide training in managing and marketing and lobby the Government of Iraq for resources.

Currently, the association is applying to be a Non-Government Organization and already has the support of the majority of the factory owners operating in the area, revealed Keller, a native of Rochester, N.Y.

“I think anytime [Iraqis] are working and getting paid, they’re happy and then we know they’re not doing bad stuff,” said O’Leary.

“What the Americans are doing is very good for the people here,” added 2nd Lt. Juwad Kadhem Mossa, an executive officer for the 2nd Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Federal Police Division. “A lot of people don’t have jobs and the factories help when the coalition forces give them economic help.”

Juwad and his fellow policemen patrol the neighborhood daily and he asserts that their relationship with CF – his policemen providing security and the Americans creating a council to stimulate the economy – is a win-win situation for the area.

“When the people don’t have jobs or work, then the terrorists will prey on them by giving them money to do bad things,” explained Juwad. “But if they have jobs, with the help of the factories, then security will be better.”

Staff Sgt. Robert Mosqueda, a cavalry scout section leader from Mission, Texas, agreed with Juwad.

“This council keeps us involved with the community – if there were no factories than there would be no jobs, so the workers would get money from [terrorists],” added Mosqueda, assigned to 1st Sqdn., 7th Cav. Regt., 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div.

In order to make the association a success, it has derived its business model from an American system to provide the owners with support and other benefits, explained Mosqueda.

“Sometimes people will stop us during missions and say, ‘Hey, I have two sons and I need work,’” continued Mosqueda. “We’ll push them toward the factories and the FOA, so it’s Iraqis helping Iraqis and all we did was point them in the right direction and sorta market for their businesses.”

“I learn a lot from the coalition forces when they work with the community,” said a stern-faced Juwad. “The Americans respect the human rights of the people because before, the Iraqi army under Saddam, didn’t care about the people and their rights.”

The civil affairs Soldiers and cavalry scouts patrolling this area have genuine concern for the locals here and their future, according to Mosqueda. That’s why ideas like the factory owners association can be successful in helping locals find work and keeping the area secure.

“The security situation is good now and they will build more houses in the future,” said a grinning Kaled wearing a starched, white-collared shirt. “And of course, they will need more of my tiles to build their houses.”

DVIDS
Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

Army 1st Lt. Daniel Braud checks on a cell phone store in Daquq, Iraq, July 7, 2009, owned by Ali Abbas Muhsin, who used a U.S.-issued microgrant to revitalize his business. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas

As security improves in Kirkuk, the business community has the opportunity to grow. But some small businesses still need a helping hand.

U.S. forces issue microgrants of up to $5,000 to help Iraqi small-business owners build or revitalize their businesses, and they follow up about 30 days later to assess progress.

Army 1st Lt. Daniel Braud, platoon leader for the 1st Cavalry Division’s 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, set July 7 out to review several microgrants in the city of Daquq in Kirkuk province.

“After the microgrants are issued, that isn’t the last step,” Braud said. “We need to verify the funds are being used in the manner that [Iraqi business owners] stated on their applications, and also check on the progress their businesses have made.”

Braud’s first stop was to visit Salar Ghazi Fauzi, who owns an automotive repair shop. Fauzi said the funds helped him purchase an air compressor and a generator. The compressor allows him to use an impact
socket wrench that improves efficiency by removing bolts faster, Fauzi said. The generator allows him to stay open longer, he added, because he is less reliant on public electricity.

Army 1st Lt. Daniel Braud takes a photo of Salar Ghazi Fauzi showcasing the new impact socket wrench he purchased for his automotive repair shop using a U.S.-issued microgrant in Daquq, Iraq, July 7, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas

Gahandai Kyiani Ghiden works as a real estate sales agent in Daquq. He bought fax machines and laptops to list the homes he sells.

“Now that the homes are advertised, there is a better chance to reach potential buyers,” Ghiden said.

Ali Abbas Muhsin, displays his wares from wall to wall in his cell phone store. Ali used his grant to add a new floor and ceiling and to purchase laptops used to activate the cell phones he sells. Before he got his grant, he said, his customers had to wait for him to get to a computer to activate their phones.

Microgrants have helped shop owners in Daquq open shops with services ranging from shoe repair to window making.

“Getting the local economy up and running is an important part of stability in this region,” Braud said.

While Braud conducted his assessment, several Daquq residents approached him about applying for their own microgrants.

“Many times, [Iraqis] will see the progress of their fellow citizens and want to take part as well, so we get approached about how they can take part in the program,” he said, adding that he’ll accept more applications soon.

DoD
By Army Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas
Special to American Forces Press Service