Strong women build strong nations Supporting the Iraqi First Program For a better future

1. Strong women build strong nations Supporting the Iraqi First Program For a better future Azza Humadi, Women’s Programs Project Manager, Stanley Baker Hill

2. Establish and Operate an Iraqi Women-owned Business Database to promote and facilitate participation of these businesses in the Iraq Reconstruction. This system will be transitioned to an appropriate Iraqi government Agency or NGO on completion of the project. Establish and operate an Iraqi Women’s Employment Database and promote the employment of qualified women at all levels (administrative, support, professional, and management). This system will be transitioned to an appropriate Iraqi Government Agency or NGO on completion of the project Ensure that women have equal opportunity for the jobs and contracts created as an outcome of the reconstruction process by sponsoring a series of training conferences which would outline the requirements and the process to bid for and win contracts in various IRRF rehabilitation and reconstruction projects. Establish working relationships with women’s organizations, professional associations, universities, technical schools, NGOs, and other donor agencies working for women’s empowerment. Promote and facilitate the selection of Iraqi women owned businesses as IRRF sub-contractors Since June 2006, we work closely with the JCC-I/A on supporting the Iraqi First Program.

3. Hiring Iraqi Women Owned Business to be part of the reconstruction process. Bidding Seminars, workshops, vendor trainings, on how to search solicitations, fill applications and submit proposal and hopefully, win contracts. Meetings with Iraqi and American contractors to open new opportunities for Iraqi business women. Establishing a Database - Women Owned Businesses today we have 300 women owned businesses in our database. Iraqi Women’s Associations – Working on submitting grants and loans in order to train other women. Contracting Outreach Initiatives, organizing Conferences to enable both sides to meet and network. Over 10 successful conferences since April 05 till present. Women’s Initiative Program

4. Iraqi Woman Contractor Baghdad Central Railway Station, Dec 05 • Inaugurated 31 December 2005 • Al Munshed, Al- Arabi Construction Co. • Project Cost: $6,384,539 Good News Story of Iraqi Women Owned Business Iraqi Woman-Owned Construction Business Completes Rehabilitation of Central Railway Station

5. Achievements 2005 • 3 huge Successful Conferences – Two for women and one for Business Community – at the Convention Center • 3 Round Tables meeting at the Convention Center with Business Women and American Contractors • Ministry of Women Conference – Ms. Humadi spoke at the conference, about the GRD Women’s program • Water Sector Round Tables meeting • Participated with IRMO Trade and sent 60 women to Jordan for an Accounting Course • Weekly meetings with Iraqi Women owned business as individuals and groups

6. 4 Nov 06 Contracting & Networking Opportunities Day Al Rasheed Hotel Sponsored by KBR • Over 300 attendees, more than 25 American Contractors, as well as many Iraqi Business Men & Women, Media Channel and Pentagon AFN Channel • 20 contracts were awarded to 6 Iraqi women Owned Business in the amount of $5.36M • One women won 4 contracts D-Jerusalem at the amount of $4.55M

7. Achievements 2006 • Participated in the USIP conference, Empowerment Of Women with Karen Aguilera, in Washington • Assisted the Roundtable press conference for Capacity Development • Two workshop with the WB and US Embassy, at the Ministry of Planning for Micro Credit Loans • Vendors Seminar at the Electricity Sector – JCC-I/A • Women's Seminar, for Business Opportunities - 50 women attended • Two Business Opportunities meeting that took place successfully at AL Rasheed hotel • SAME (Society of American Military Engineer’s) Conference – Capacity Development Event • Conference GRD/PCO, JCC-I/A and KBR - over 300 attendees, 25 American Corporations and a great women’s participation+ 13 Media and Pentagon, AFN media

8. 24 Feb 07 Capacity Development / Baghdad Job Fair Providing steady jobs to Iraqis 500 attendees 14 companies, including Iraqi firms, interviewing • In cooperation with; • PRT Econ • National Iraqi American Assistance Center • GRD women’s program The message is clear, Iraqis are insisting to work and support the American efforts in Iraq! Sponsored by Stanley Baker Hill

9. Awards for Women owned Iraqi businesses 2007 35 Contracts awarded to women in the amount of $1.43M Jan 07 44 Contracts awarded to women in the amount of $12.7M Feb 07 60 Contracts awarded to women in the amount of $3.4M Mar 07 65 Contracts awarded to women in the amount of $4.9M Apr 07 64 Contracts awarded to women in the amount of $6.1M May 07 79 Contracts awarded to women in the amount of $5.3M Jun 07 61 Contracts awarded to women in the amount of $4.4M Jul 07

10. Achievements 2006 • Participated in the USIP conference, Empowerment Of Women with Karen Aguilera, in Washington • Assisted the Roundtable press conference for Capacity Development • Two workshop with the WB and US Embassy, at the Ministry of Planning for Micro Credit Loans • Vendors Seminar at the Electricity Sector – JCC-I/A • Women's Seminar, for Business Opportunities - 50 women attended • Two Business Opportunities meeting that took place successfully at AL Rasheed hotel • SAME (Society of American Military Engineer’s) Conference – Capacity Development Event • Conference GRD/PCO, JCC-I/A and KBR - over 300 attendees, 25 American Corporations and a great women’s participation+ 13 Media and Pentagon, AFN media

11. Challenges: • Security concerns. • Lack of Opportunities from both the public and the private sector. • Rural mind set is not progressive to accept women doing business. • Communications, mobile and emails.

12. Way Forward: • Building Capacity with the Iraqi Government by implementing a women trainees percentages in any development program. • By promoting educational programs citing the importance and the value of women’s productivity as half of the society.