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14 October 2004

Iraq Economic Development Contracts Announced by USAID

Projects to target restructuring state businesses, providing job training

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded $208 million in contracts to help stimulate the economy in Iraq and provide vocational training to Iraqi workers.

The two three-year contracts, both awarded to The Louis Berger Group Inc., were competitively bid and are part of U.S. efforts to improve stability in Iraq, ensure the delivery of essential services and facilitate Iraq's economic recovery, according to an October 13 USAID press release.

Under one contract, U.S.-based Louis Berger will help restructure and privatize state-owned businesses and promote the development of small businesses, the release said.

Under a second contract, the company will provide vocational education and assistance to the Iraq Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to run existing vocational and employment centers, it said.

Following is the text of the USAID release:

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U.S. Agency for International Development
Washington, D.C.

October 13, 2004

Contact: USAID Press Office

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced contract awards to The Louis Berger Group, Inc. to assist the Government of Iraq in stimulating the economy through private sector growth, employment generating activities and vocational and technical training programs.

Under the $120 million award to assist in developing the private sector, the U.S. based firm will provide assistance in restructuring and privatization of state owned enterprises, developing capital markets, trade policy and business management skills. The firm will also implement activities that will promote the development of micro, small and medium businesses. Training and expertise will also be provided to credit-worthy private enterprises to achieve sustainable and profitable lending through Iraqi banks and to help build a sustainable microfinance industry.

A separate $88 million award to The Louis Berger Group, Inc. for vocational education is intended to encourage workforce development with an emphasis on vocational training, technical training, and employment services. The firm will also provide experienced personnel, equipment, and funding to assist the Iraq Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) to run existing vocational and employment centers. The contract also provides for MOLSA training that will lead to MOLSA independently managing and sustaining the centers.

The three-year contracts were competitively bid and are part of the U.S. government's reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi people aimed at improving stability, ensuring the delivery of essential services, and facilitating economic recovery. For more information on USAID's humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)