B*N*S*N4

Governor of Salah ad Din Province, Hamad Hamood Shekti, and other local Iraqi leaders and coalition forces make it official at the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone, host nation business center ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 7, at Joint Base Balad. Photo by Spc. Charlotte Martinez

Iraqi-based Industrial Zone opens two new facilities in Balad

Oct 11, 2008

BY 3rd Sustainment Command Public Affairs

"There's an excitement here... and that's exactly what we need."

That is the message sent to coalition forces, local Iraqi government and business owners, and Iraqi press representatives by Brig. Gen. Nicholas Matern, Deputy Commander of Multi-National Corps - Iraq, near the end of a much anticipated media day at Joint Base Balad. The Canadian flag officer thanked Soldiers and Airmen supporting local Iraqi government and business leaders forge new economic opportunities.

That is the message sent to coalition forces, local Iraqi government and business owners, and Iraqi press representatives by Brig. Gen. Nicholas Matern, Deputy Commander of Multi-National Corps - Iraq, near the end of a much anticipated media day at Joint Base Balad. The Canadian flag officer thanked Soldiers and Airmen supporting local Iraqi government and business leaders forge new economic opportunities.

Matern, along with other high-ranking coalition officials, made the trip to JBB to attend ceremonies celebrating the opening of two new facilities: an Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone asphalt plant and a business center to respond to administrative needs of local Iraqi businesses.

The IBIZ asphalt facility will provide employment for a number of Iraqis, particularly members of the Sons of Iraq that are standing down in wake of security gains. The manufacturing and paving crews will be able to provide profoundly needed services for local Iraqi infrastructure projects as well the installation....

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