After the Pentagon declared an official end to its occupation in Iraq, the country is still a far cry from the secure democracy that America claims it has left behind. However, despite the political strife, the situation seems to be picking up on the trade and business front in certain prominent areas of Iraq. A statement issued by the governor of Basrah, Dr Khalaf A.S. Khalaf indicates plans of making the port city a leading centre of trade not only for Iraq, but the Gulf region as well. At a conference in London recently, The Basra Investment Commission outlined ambitious plans to build a third of a million homes, hundreds of kilometres of new highways and bridges, power plants and railways tracks. Basrah, he said, will double its numbers of schools and will build new centres of higher education.

Against this background of newfound zeal to rebuild Iraq, Clean Middle East took the opportunity to talk to Dr Sohayb Al-Niaimi, Vice-President of the Dubai – based Sahba Technology Co. in Amsterdam, at the recently held ISSA Interclean exhibition, to get a fresh outlook on Iraq’s cleaning industry and how he anticipates its growth. Sahba Technology Co. has major interests in Iraq and is doing significant work in the country in the cleaning sector. Presented below are a few excerpts from the interview:

What is your purpose of visiting the ISSA Interclean exhibition?

“Sahba Technology Company is one of a number of international companies operating under the umbrella of the Sahba Group. Over the decades we have developed a system for fulfilling the needs of companies across various health sectors in Iraq and MENA countries that seek technology-based solutions for existing or foreseen shortcomings within their organizations. Hygiene and cleanliness are the core activities that provide a sound healthy and habitable environment.”

What do you hope to achieve from this forum in Amsterdam?

“I hope to propagate the vast potential of all aspects of the cleaning industry in the Iraqi and MENA markets at this forum. I hope also to talk with representatives or leading German and EU cleaning companies in the hope of securing their participation in fulfilling the requirements and demands of the huge Iraqi and MENA region markets in the cleaning, environment and health sectors.”

Some exhibitors have informed us that they have won  a few contracts for the supply of cleaning equipment  to the Islamic Endowment Commission in Iraq. Does  your company have a role in these contracts?

“Yes indeed. The authorities at the Kadhimiya Ataba in Baghdad (The Holy Shrine of Imam Mousa Al-Kadhim) have embarked on an ambitious program of upgrading their cleaning system from the existing manual, labour intensive one to one based on advanced technology, equipment and material. As we are exclusive agents of some leading German companies such as Alfred Kärcher GmbH and Teupen Maschinenbau GmbH, we supplied this shrine with many machines from these two companies from our large modern showroom in Baghdad, Iraq. Our well-trained staff installed, tested and serviced the equipment to the total satisfaction of the shrine’s management. Moreover, we supplied them with catalogues, DVDs and technical information about the machines and facilities of these German companies and few other EU companies. “Subsequently, as a result of the interaction between their technical staff and ours; the authorities at the shrine recently signed a contract with Sahba Technology to supply three spider access platform machines from Teupen Maschinenbau GmbH (LEO 50GT, LEO 18GT and LEO 13 GT) at the cost of around one million USD. The execution of the contract has started already with the delivery of one machine to the shrine premises while the other two machines will be delivered within 45 days from now. Sahba’s staff will be responsible for the installation, test-operation and maintenance of the contracted equipment. Five staff members of the shrine will inspect and receive proper training at the Teupen premises in Germany, and will discuss other cleaning program solutions proposed by Sahba Technology.”

What is your strategy to support the development of the cleaning industry in Iraq and the mode of action?

“We hope to extend our services to include other shrines of Prophets, Imams and religious leaders in Iraq as well as in other countries of the MENA region. Our strategy is to acquire the know-how of the most advanced cleaning technologies, with the help of leading EU companies preferably in joint ventures. Moreover, we hope to establish training centers for technicians and skilled and unskilled workers in the targeted markets and to facilitate the transfer of the required technology to the management and staff of prospective clients.”

 Are you optimistic about the future of the cleaning industry in Iraq?
“I am very optimistic about the future of the industry and its prospects.”