I-BIZ locations are designated secure areas on Coalition bases where a commercial business with a land use agreement through the Coalition can establish operations. The Highlander Brigade is actively supporting this program.
“We are here to stimulate the local economy, operating mainly around Nasiriyah, by providing opportunities for locals with contracts and businesses. We bring them in from everywhere, but ideally the people we work with are in the Dhi Qar province,” said 2nd Lt. Sophia Volz from Phoenix, Ariz., I-BIZ officer-in-charge for garrison, COB Adder.
Contractors Row on COB Adder is where many of the Iraqi general contractors such as cleaners, recyclers and construction can be found.
“Ultimately, we want to take (U.S. contractor) jobs and (transfer them) to the Iraqis,” said Sgt. James Witt from Kerrville, Texas, garrison I-BIZ noncommissioned officer-in-charge.
Volz said that a responsible drawdown is necessary.
“Ninety-nine percent of contracts here were KBR over the last six years. We have to minimize shock with a smooth transfer of services. Currently, KBR and the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program have the latrines, maintenance, and vehicle maintenance. We’ll slowly transfer those jobs to Iraqis by having a sustainable balance between KBR reduction and Iraqi buildup of sustainable business,” Volz said.
COB Adder is expected to remain functional as a way station for units moving out of Iraq in accordance with the U.S. – Iraq Security Agreement.
“Adder will be around long after we’re gone. The plan is to eventually turn it back over to the Iraqi Army. It’s one of the things we talk to Iraqis about; we want to have long term goals for Iraq,” said Volz.
“Lots of these local businesses are run by sons and daughters. They’re running a branch off of their parents’ main business location. They’re not losing much because as far as overhead costs, they are minimal as the vendors don’t pay rent,” said Witt.
Iraqi businesses are given a land lot and sign a memorandum stating they are responsible for upkeep of their space. I-BIZ provides land, water and fuel for their generators.
“They bring their own trailers. They pay for fencing and other such renovations. They’re making money; thousands of dollars a month. They have their finger on the pulse of what Soldiers want and need; they’re responsive to supply and demand,” said Witt.
“My busiest day of the week is Sunday. I get lots of orders for customized items like clothes or painted canvas portraits from photos,” said Ahmed Theif, a local businessman, who runs one of the stores in the market for his uncle.
When they have time, Sgt. Jason Savary, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, Pennsylvania National Guard and his wife, Spc. Amneris Savary, take the shuttle bus to the market to buy DVDs or to visit their Iraqi friend Saheb Abaes, who runs a carpet shop.
“Like most everyone else on Adder, we found this place by word-of-mouth. It’s a good place to come to save money on entertainment,” said Jason Savary.
Banking is another sector I-BIZ personnel are pursuing.
“We’re also trying to bring on Warka Bank from the Samarra Province which is a huge deal. The banking concept is different here in Iraq in that the vast majority of banks don’t have the capability for electronic funds transfer,” said Volz.
“We’re trying to get more of the vendors set up with Eagle Cash capability. There’s an initiative to get cash off the battlefield because the Dinars vs. Dollars exchange is difficult for the merchants,” added Volz.
Plans are also in the works to eventually bring a vocational/technical school to Camp Mittica adjacent to COB Adder. There are currently two in Nasiriyah.
“If you’re going to bring people in to do the job, they need training on these essential skills. We want to use what (skill sets) they have and help them make it better,” said Volz.
The Highlander Brigade will continue to work with I-BIZ to establish businesses, provide services and products to the Coalition, direct money to the Iraqi economy, and enable security and economic stability through expanded employment.
