Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone service center opens at Balad                                      Story by Staff Sgt. Les Newport                                                                         Posted: June 24, 2008

BALAD, Iraq - Joint Base Balad marked the beginning of a new program to spur progress in Iraq in the provinces surrounding the installation.

Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Sheik Shihab and Brig. Gen. Gregory E Couch mark the opening of the IBIZ Service Center, Basateen Al-Dejayl General Training and Contracting Company, ltd., at Joint Based Balad on June 17, 2008. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Les Newport)

A ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, Brig. Gen. Gregory E. Couch, commander of the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and Sheik Shihab Ahmed Saleh Al-Tamimi commemorated the opening of the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone (I-BIZ) Service Center, Basateen Al-Dejayl General Training and Contracting Company, ltd., at Joint Based Balad.   The initiative is being spearheaded by  the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Indiana Army National Guard.

“We are proud to call Iraqis our wonderful allies and we wish you the very, very best in your new venture,” said Maj. Gen. Umbarger.

“Here is a local sheik very well respected in his community; able to create a business and work in conjunction with us as his allies,” he continued.   “I think it’s a special step forward and it’s a real honor to be here today.  I had an opportunity to speak to the sheik one-on-one.  You can see that he is a person with a big heart; it’s a special day for him and likewise for me.”

The center was selected as the first of several initiatives to provide local Iraqi business leaders with opportunities to tap into valuable military contracts, and provide a secure environment to grow their business.

“To fulfill what Gen. Petraeus’ dream was when he came here, and that is to get the Iraqi people the opportunity to work in their country and to take back the opportunity so they can support their own families,” said Couch.  “So this is the beginning of a great partnership and I too, as I’m getting ready to leave here, wish all great success to the Sheik and the rest of the Iraqi partners that join in on the IBIZ function,” he said.

Col. Courtney P. Carr, Col. Kenneth D. Newlin talk with Sheik Shihab during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the IBIZ Service Center, Basateen Al-Dejayl General Training and Contracting Company, ltd., at Joint Base Balad on Jun 17, 2008. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Les Newport)

Col. Courtney Carr, 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander said the initiative is tied to a theater-wide initiative to drive business and economic prosperity to the local economy.  Significant improvements in the security of the local area, led by local Iraqi leaders, are the key that allows us to pursue these economic opportunities.

“We want to support Iraqi business so they can flourish throughout the regions,” said Carr. “The types of businesses we have selected to support are the types of businesses that can provide products and services that are needed at the base and that can also prosper outside the base.”

Coalition forces expect, and in some cases have already received, dividends in return for investments made in the IBIZ initiative.

Col. Kenneth Newlin, Deputy Brigade commander and I-BIZ Program Director, sees the program as a natural progression of security and stability operations.

“The leaders and centers of influence that we are partnering with in establishing these businesses have the ability to influence economic progress and prosperity in Iraq. This program allows us to consolidate recent security gains made in the region by the local and national government that a year ago would not have been possible,” said Newlin.

Master Sgt. Larry Ridge, Terre Haute, Ind., prepares to nail up a sign Tuesday, June 17, 2008, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The 76th “Nighthawks” will work with local communities and their leaders through IBIZ to help establish new and lasting business enterprises throughout Iraq. (Photo by Sgt. Robert G. Cooper III)

In addition to the service center, which will provide maintenance for non-tactical vehicles owned by coalition forces, JBB has plans for a host nation business center, shipping container remanufacturing facility, an industrial, wholesale, and retail facilities, and a vocational training program.

Sheik Shihab Ahmed Saleh Al-Tamimi, owner of Basateen Al-Dejayl, General Training and Contracting Company, ltd., signed an agreement to operate the service center and is encourage by the outreach efforts by coalition forces.

“This is a very important business opportunity for the people of the area.  It provides employment opportunities for the people of the area around here to stop them from joining terrorist organizations,” said Sheik Shihab.

“Our vision for the future for this business opportunity is to  expand from vehicle maintenance to engine repair, military and civilian vehicles,” said Sheik Shihab.  “We hope that we meet all the standards and we add more job opportunities out there for the people around LSA Anaconda.  This business also sends a message to the terrorist organizations out there that we’re willing to work with the coalition forces and help our country become a free country,” he said.

Coalition forces intend to move forward as quickly as possible with the related initiatives in order to take advantage of the significant security gains made in the region by local and national governments.