Trade fairs in Iraq highlight the country’s need for redevelopment of basic infrastructure; Sahba leads efforts of technology transfer in the cleaning field

Iraq is poised to be one of the fastest growing emerging markets in the world, registering a 4.3 percent economic growth in 2009 which increased to 6.69 percent in 2010. The country’s GDP is expected to reach USD 106 billion by 2012. An estimated USD5 billion to USD7 billion in investments is needed to modernize the country’s industrial sector. In 2010 alone, 168 licenses were granted for new industrial projects in textiles, wood, paper, chemicals, plastics, construction, metals and foods, totaling to USD30.5 million. From 2015 to 2020, the government aims to support the development of the private sector which is expected to account for 5 -10 percent of Iraq’s GDP. The government is currently working to streamline foreign investment regulations and applications to make this happen.

The reconstruction efforts in Iraq entail massive investment in all economic sectors to put the country back on track. Spurring on development is public spending, projected at $86.4 billion in the 2011 budget, and over $200 billion targeted in foreign investment over the next decade. The country has hence become a large, lucrative market, offering business opportunities to both international exporters and local manufacturers and distributors. International trade fairs held in Basra, Baghdad and Erbil offer manufacturers and suppliers of cleaning equipment, ample opportunities to showcase their product and technology offerings. Clean Middle East was able to speak to Sahba Technology Group which regularly participates in all three exhibitions in Iraq to find out how the cleaning industry is progressing in the country.

At the Erbil International Fair held from 24-27 October 2011, Sahba Technology Group was able to sign a preliminary agreement with cement factories for offering complete cleaning solutions with the supply of sweepers equipped with a special filtration system to sweep debris at production facilities. Sahba also discussed the supply of sweepers for the maintenance of parks with several municipalities at the same fair. Sahba Technology Group has established the Sahba Cleaning Company in Iraq which offers specialized cleaning technology and contract services to hospitals and industrial establishments across the country.

Sahba has been successful in the sale of the following equipment to many public hospitals in Iraq: ride-on scrubber driers of both disc and roller brush types; ride-on sweepers with automatic filter cleaning system to ensure performance and low dust emissions; hot water/steam high-pressure cleaners with exhaust-free water heating feature for use in enclosed areas and specialized cleaning and disinfecting chemicals. Sahba Cleaning Company offers in-house education to hospitals on the proper use of cleaning equipment and adoption of cleaning regimes and training of cleaning staff followed by continued supervision and quality assurance.

The Sahba Technogy Group has interests and activities in the following fields: water purification and desalination; treatment of sewage and industrial effluents; engineering services and facility management; construction and management of hospitals and medical centres; warehouses and material handling; cold and clean rooms and mortuary; central vacuum cleaning systems; ion exchange and extraction technologies.