Iraqi Furniture Factory Fills First Order in Two Years

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Spc. Shejal Pulivarti

[SandRat]

Navy Capt. John Dillender (right), economics and industrial advisor for Baghdad 5 Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team, which operates north of the Iraqi capital with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, mimics the sanding technique used by a furniture factory worker near Taji, Iraq Nov. 11. The Henning, Tenn. native helped facilitate (200) pieces of furniture purchased from the State Company for Furniture Industry-Baghdad to be delivered to area schools. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Shejal Pulivarti, 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. PAO.

CAMP TAJI — The State Company for Furniture Industry-Baghdad, located near Taji, recently filled its first furniture order in almost two years.

The Baghdad 5 Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (EPRT) attached to the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 1st Cavalry Division, purchased and picked up (200) pieces of furniture from the factory, with the facilitation assistance of Comanche Troop, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, Nov. 11.

The workers excitedly showcased their finished pieces of decorative furnishings.  The plant manager stated they have come a long way, but there is much work to be completed before the plant is again fully operational.

The primary economic activity in Iraq is agrarian-based.

Coalition forces assessed (27) former state-owned enterprises.  The 1st BCT partnered with the EPRT to restart seven of them, based on their regional economic impact; one of which is the furniture factory.  To get the factory started, the brigade recently bought (50) pieces of four different styles of furniture.

“This furniture factory, when fully functioning, employs (250) people, but only a minimal staff remained over the years,” said Henning, Tenn., native Navy Capt. John Dillender, the economics and industrial advisor for Baghdad 5 EPRT.  “The emphasis on security enabled approximately (30) workers in total to be employed now.”

“We had a contract with them and it provided increased opportunities in employment, as well as an immediate cash infusion to the surrounding area, which in return allows the factory to operate,” Dillender said.  “Over time, with the improvements in the area, we expect more locals to return home and reestablish more businesses transitioning back to normalcy.  We like to see people working, having jobs and helping the economy.”

The furniture currently being stored at a nearby combat outpost is planned to be distributed between schools, government buildings and micro-finance loan offices located in the Taji region, Dillender said.

Recent reconciliation efforts have provided a safer and more secure area, enabling the Ironhorse Brigade to shift from their primary focus from security to providing vital services, rebuilding and assisting the Iraqi-led communities to become self-sustaining.

“There is great support and enthusiasm from the populace as they want safety, prosperity and a chance for a better life,” said Jacksonville, Fla., native Tom Burke, team leader of Baghdad Five EPRT.  “More are looking for small business opportunities, public works projects or going back to farming and agricultural production.”          

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News at Home and Abroad You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

All the News the MSM refuses to use!

Or if they do report it, without the anti-War Agenda Spin!

Not for commercial use. For educational and discussion purposes only.

[Sacajaweau]

This is great. They could probably get it cheaper from China but have heard a few things via the grapeline...like China stuff s****.

I hope it grows into a "locally owned" business with the reputation of Stickley!!

[jiggyboy]

That’s about how long you wait for something from North Carolina these days. Progress indeed.

[Bernard]

I hope they send Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid some nice chairs to sit in after they make their speeches about how we lost in Iraq and we need to get out now.

[Sacajaweau]

The consensus of the early reports was that if the Dems could stick with the failures in Iraq rather than the war on terror, the would take back the Whitehouse.

Over and over, they keep saying it is a failure.

BUT because there has been such progress, they're introducing bills again and again that not only will induce failure but put any and all of our troops in a compromising position. It's like trying to work with Sadr.

I also believe they are violating the Constitution. Their Bills effectively engage in running the war. It is not their function.

[normy]

Like him or not, Bush is going down as one of the greatest Presidents in history.

[do the dhue]

They should start selling furniture in America. It would be better then buying products that have ‘Made in China’ on it.

[Blue_Spark]

You know, they could get a website and sell overseas that way. I would bet they could get some orders just for the novelty value of furniture from Iraq.

[jveritas]

Amen to that.

[bray]

Sounds like their employing more furniture people than N Carolina. It all moved to china.

Pray for W and Our Victorious Troops

[Cvengr]

Hmmm, ...why is he sanding (appears to be planing) across the grain of the wood instead of with or against it?????

[SandRat]

Staged Photo maybe???

[Cvengr]

Oh well, I guess the caption is better than implying the Navy Captain is about to interrogate a suspected jihadi using state of the art truthtelling equipment...

[bray]

jv, are you reading any negativity about AQ from your ME sites. Are the street Arabs turning away from the losers of this war?? Are you seeing a shift in attitude?

Pray for W and Our Troops

[jveritas]

Hi Bray

In some terrorist forums, the Iraqi members who are sympathetic to Al Qaeda are basically telling the other forum members, the non Iraqis, that it is over for Al Qaeda in Iraq, they lost.

[bray]

That is big. It is over.

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[do the dhue]

I would buy it. I need a desk. What a great way to help them.

[USS Alaska]

I might buy it, but I ain’t paying shipping costs.

[do the dhue]

And the tariffs our Congress would want to put on it.