ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA (February 2, 2004) –
Reconstruction of Iraq’s railways was the focus of a U.S. business
briefing held today designed to bring Iraqi railways officials
together with U.S. suppliers of rail equipment and technology. The event was sponsored by
the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and was held at the
agency’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The event attracted
participation by more than 75 U.S. business representatives.
“USTDA is well suited to
provide assistance in Iraq, having built a solid record of rapid
response to post-conflict situations in the Balkans in the 1990s and
most recently in Afghanistan,” said USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey
in opening remarks at the briefing. “American companies have
expertise and technology that can make important contributions to
the economic development of Iraq. By bringing Iraqi officials
together with American companies, our hope is to encourage U.S.
private sector participation in the reconstruction
process.”
During
the briefing, Iraqi officials presented an overview of the
reconstruction needs in Iraq’s rail sector and met with U.S. firms
in one-on-one meetings.
“This event provided us with a valuable opportunity to learn
about the latest U.S. rail equipment and technology,” said Salam
Jabur Salom, Director General of Iraq Republic Railways. “This information will be
extremely helpful to us as we seek to establish a world class rail
transportation system in Iraq.” Other members of the
delegation from Iraq Republic Railways include Matti Yacoub Matti,
Director of Operations and Transportation; Fahmi A. Shabaan,
Director of Data Systems; Hakim Jasim Hussain, Director of
Maintenance of Way; Najah M. Karim, Director of Mechanical and
Electrical; and Mohammad Ali Hashim, Area Manager, Baghdad.
Mr. Gordon Mott,
Senior Rail Advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA),
accompanied the delegation. “Reconstruction of the rail
sector is critical for Iraq to reach its economic potential,” said
Mr. Mott. “Over the
past several months that I have been working with Iraq’s rail
officials, I have been impressed with their competence to develop
and implement a strategy to meet Iraq’s rail transportation
needs.”
Currently,
the Iraqi rail
system lacks the tools, machinery and spare parts necessary to
maintain equipment.
Much of the rolling stock is out of service due to lack of
spare parts or the need to repair damage caused by looting. The track system is
currently in a state of disrepair. Moreover, the lack of a
signals and communications network is a safety risk and limits the
system’s capacity.
Additional needs exist in the area of repairing and acquiring
locomotives, rail cars, intermodal facilities and
equipment.
Under the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L.
108-106), $210 million has been allocated for the reconstruction of
the Iraqi railway sector.
Export opportunities for U.S. firms exist in the areas of
reconstructing and upgrading rail track systems, track maintenance
equipment, procuring and refurbishing rolling stock, intermodal and
container handling equipment, rail control and signaling equipment,
and communications and information technology.
The Iraqi delegation
is in the United States on a USTDA-funded orientation visit to view
U.S. equipment and technology in operation. To date, the delegation has
visited Chicago, Illinois, and Omaha, Nebraska, for site visits and
meetings with U.S. railroad companies, as well as U.S. railway
equipment suppliers.
Subsequent to today’s USTDA business briefing, the delegation
will conduct two days of meetings in Washington, D.C., with the
Federal Railway Administration; financial institutions, including
the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation, and the World Bank; and other
organizations.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances
economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and
middle-income countries.
The agency funds various forms of technical assistance,
feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business
workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure
and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA’s strategic use of
foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and
decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment
for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission,
USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S.
exports of goods and services.