Michigan may soon have a unique economic partnership with a new ally - The Republic of Iraq. The concept is that the rebuilding of Iraq is going to take a lot of construction, manufacturing and consultants, which are industries Michigan has ready to go. The Lansing area in particular has another key connection with Iraq, as the chairman of the Iraq National Investment Commission is a
Michigan State University alumnus who has a strong desire to bring Michigan talent and goods to his county.
“Dr. Sami has an incredible sense of gratitude toward Michigan,” says Tremaine Phillips, Chief Program Officer for the
Prima Civitas Foundation. “He sees Iraq and Michigan as great partners from an economic standpoint.”
PCF has been working with Al-Araji since fall, playing the role of facilitator between the Iraqi commission and Michigan partners, such as the MEDC, MSU-CIBER and more.
The first project for which PCF will work on matching Michigan contractors to Iraq needs is a block of 100,000 residential units. The $5.5-$6 billion project would require architects, construction companies, financial institutions, energy companies and more. PCF will soon begin vetting potential contractors.
The project could lead to more work with Iraq, such as schools and infrastructure.
“This is an exceptionally great story because of Governor Snyder’s call for doing more to attract high capacity immigrants to the state,” says Phillips. “This proves that the international student community we have here is so important. We never know where those student could end up some day.”
Source: Tremaine Phillips, Prima Civitas Foundation
Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor
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