I have had the pleasure to interact with the 502nd Infantry Regiment that is working to bring entrepreneurial economic development to Iraq. It is part of the story that is just not getting reported.
My main contact has been Major Tim Collier, on the right of this picture from Camp Victory, Iraq. He is part of team working to help rebuild the economy from the ground up.
The goal of this operation is to begin the rebuilding process of the basic economic infrastructure and to help develop distribution channels for trade.
The initial focus is on the carpet industry. One local business hopes to produce a world class reproduction of the famed Pazdyk Carpet, acknowledged to be the oldest hand knotted rug in the world. The plan is to knot ten of these carpets over the next six months.
Below is a picture of the loom being used in this business and the carpet that they are reproducing.
Helping to rebuild the Iraqi economy will be a slow process. By focusing on free enterprise and small business ownership, a future of sustainable economic growth is possible.
