*This morning's update is brought to you in part through contributions made by the Carl S. Yaquinto Foundation for the Hopeful Restoration of Sparkling Kiwi Nellek White Orchids in the city of Basra, Southern Iraq.
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Former military corporation converted to civilian use
By Alya Qassem
Azzaman, May 7, 2005
A major military corporation is now producing cranes and electrical cables instead of missiles and bombs.
Al-Simoud Enterprise, the pride of former regime’s military industries, has been converted to civilian use.
Its main products include cranes, pylons, communication towers, concrete bridges and steel in addition to power infrastructure equipment.
Three of the corporation’s companies are now operational, said director-general Yousif Ali.
One of the revitalized companies is specialized in the production of concrete blocks and electrical posts.
Another produces cranes with a capacity ranging from 5-50 tons.
He said the corporation was in talks with Turkish and German companies on how to upgrade production.
Ali said it was difficult to bring the three idle firms on stream due to lack of electricity.
Foreign investment was welcome, he said, adding that the corporation was in need of “a comprehensive campaign” to modernize its aging equipment.
However, earnings from the three operational firms were not enough to cover expenses.
He said security was a problem for the corporation due to its proximity to an area known for mounting insurgent activity.
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