From MNF-I, Soldiers Promote Iraqi Economic Opportunity, Self-reliance for Future Success.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST — Coalition forces here are working to help Iraqi entrepreneurs learn the skills needed to earn the money to remain successful after the coalition leaves.
The Iraqi-based Industrial Zone initiative is helping 14 Iraqi-owned businesses - six of them industrial and eight retail - operating on Q-West.
The businesses were awarded land-use agreements to operate on the contingency operating base and sell goods and services to Soldiers, contractors, local nationals and foreign nationals.
Some also are awarded contracts. As of, Sept. 1, 2008, the base had paid out $7.9 million in contracts for the fiscal year, with a monthly impact of $274,433 going back into Ninevah province, according to the badging office at Q-West, which tracks IBIZ contracts and impact.
"As the local population becomes more invested in the growth and prosperity of their local economy, they are less likely to join the local insurgency," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Sean Shanahan, events and communication non-commissioned officer in charge.
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