lragi Business Center Prepares Iraqi Citizens To Take Advantage Of Economic Opportunities (NAPSA)—Asthe cloud of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship has been lifted from the face of Iraq, Iraqi citizens are gradually adjusting to life in a free and democratic society, complete with personal freedoms and new economic MIM, Corliss served as an advisor at the Iraqi Business Centers (IBC) in Baghdad, which is a network of business centers throughout Iraq designed to help build alliances between Iraqi companies and international investments. American soldiers are helping major Iraqi economic hubs of Baghdad, Kirkuk, Basrah and Nineveh, assist Iraqi citizens interested in exploring privatesector trade and teach them how to market themselves to potential business partners while also providing a database of qualified Iraqi companies seeking subcontracting work for reconstruction jobs. These business centers are a key element in the foundation of Traq’s future success in the international business community. At the Baghdad Business Cen- opportunities. These business centers, located in this transition in several areas, such as reconstruction of local villages, rehabilitation of the educational system and implementation of modern technological advances. Specifically, U.S. Armysoldiers, relying on their Army training and civilian careers, are well positioned to help lead this effort, based on their previous mission experience in Bosnia/Kosovo as a part of Task Force Falcon and in Panama as a part of Operation Just Cause. Soldiers, primarily from the Army Reserve, are helping Iraqi citizens transition to a free-market economy in which business opportunity and entrepreneurship thrive. In the post-Saddam era, there are numerous business opportunities for Iraqi citizens, including reconstruction projects, foreign investments and subcon- tracting opportunities. Currently, the majority of opportunities lie with the United States Army, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and state-owned ministries and enterprises. To aid this effort, Army Reserve soldiers are using their unique background, of both Army training and civilian careers, to work with local Iraqi citizens to help develop working business relationships and succeed in this postSaddam era. Army Reserve Civil Affairs soldiers, who serve as both warriors and diplomats, are a key factor in this economic transition, The U.S. Armyis playing a vital role in the Iraqi transition to a free-market economy. interacting with local civilians and building lasting relationships with Iraqis. One such soldier is Army Reserve Sgt. Glenn Corliss, a memberof the 353rd Civil Affairs Brigade, wholeft his job as a private equity analyst on Wall Street after September 11th to join the Army to help the economic development of Iraq. During his 15month deployment, Corliss worked as an economic advisor to the Iraq Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MIM), where he supported the reorganization of the Oil-for-Food program and coordinated longterm private sector investments for MIM businesses. Despite inherent obstacles in the transition to a free-market economy, Corliss believes that significant progress is being madethat will help Iraq establish itself as an economic powerin theregion. “Rebuilding the Iraqi economy after 30 years of dictatorship is a long, difficult process,” he says. “But we’re making great strides and movingin the right direction.” In addition to his work at the ter, Corliss served as an economic advisor for the rehabilitation of Traq’s educational system, working specifically on a needs assessment plan for Iraqi universities with a resulting $2 million in materials raised to help repair and modernize Iraqi schools. Additionally, while at the Baghdad Business Center, Corliss devel- oped and launched an entrepre- neurship training program that will teach more than 5,000 Iraqi citizens how to start their own businesses, further continuing the advance of the free-market economyin Iraq. “We’ve had some wonderful successes, rebuilding educational initiatives and both small and large businesses,” continued Corliss. “Iraqis are really starting to embrace their freedom and are realizing the enormous opportunities of a free economy.” For more information on the U.S. Army, go to GoArmy.com.
