Tehnoforestexport and a constructions firm are among the handful of Romanian companies to have gained contracts as part of the Iraq reconstruction programme. Yet, there is no dearth of opportunities for the Romanian companies that are interested in the Iraqi market, since contracts worth more than $10 billion are slated to be signed soon, according to William Lash, the US Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Chairman of the Iraq Reconstruction Task Force.
A Romanian constructions firm works as a sub-contractor for the US-based Bechtel corporation, building an airport in Iraq, William Lash said during his visit to Romania.
“I myself was informed of a Romanian firm working with Bechtel for the construction of an airport in Iraq. I cannot specify the value of the contracts won by Romanian firms in Iraq. Tehnoforestexport is among the companies that have attracted orders, and I have learnt that Rompetrol has opened an office in Baghdad,” said Lash, who would not disclose the name of Bechtel’s sub-contractor.
Lash feels that Romanian firms have extensive expertise in Iraq, in the construction of roads and other objectives, as well as in engineer training. The Iraq reconstruction also provides opportunities to IT companies. The US official also stated that Romania was among the 64 states, the United States included, which would host economic workshops discussing the Iraqi reconstruction. The 64-state list includes international coalition member states.
According to Lash, construction contracts worth 5 billion dollars are going to be sealed in the near future, followed by similar contracts in other fields. The United States will earmark over 18 billion dollars for the reconstruction of Iraq. For the same purpose, another 15 billion dollars will come from international donors, joined by funds from the Iraqi administration.
The US official’s delegation also included representatives of US Bechtel, Washington Group and Parsons, leading contractors in the Iraqi reconstruction. The delegation held a series of meetings with the Romanian Premier, with members of the Romanian government, and with officials of 80 Romanian firms during an economic workshop.
“Price, expertise and the capacity to finalise projects will be the main criteria in the selection of firms to participate, as sub-contractors, in the Iraq reconstruction process.”
adrian.mirsanu@zf.ro