12 July 2005
U.S. Provides $2 Million for Iraqi Oil Training Program
Effort designed to help modernize oil and gas industry sector
The U.S. government has released $2 million to fund a training program for the Iraqi oil and gas sector.
A press release July 11 from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) said the Iraq Oil Training Program (IOTP) is a significant step forward in supporting the modernization of Iraq's oil industry.
The IOTP will have specific training programs in the areas of management, technical operations and human resources, the press release said.
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
USTDA FUNDS IRAQ OIL TRAINING PROGRAM
AMMAN, JORDAN - (July 11, 2005) The U.S.-Iraq Joint Commission on Reconstruction and Economic Development (JCRED) convened on July 10th and 11th to follow-up and build upon the progress of previous economic policy discussions between the governments of the United States and Iraq. U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Regional Director Carl Kress participated in the JCRED meetings as part of the U.S. delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick.
During the JCRED meetings, Regional Director Kress and Iraqi Minister of Oil Dr. Ibrahim Bahr Al-Uloum jointly announced the development of a $2 million training program for the Iraqi oil and gas sector, the Iraq Oil Training Program (IOTP). "The IOTP is a significant step forward in supporting the modernization of Iraq's oil industry, bringing together the U.S. public and private sectors to deliver the best available training in the oil and gas sector - for the benefit of the Iraqi people in the rebuilding of this vital sector," stated Mr. Kress. "We expect USTDA's investment in this project will be supplemented by substantial U.S. private sector and university resources, resulting in immediate and medium term training and capacity building benefits for the Ministry of Oil."
The program was developed following the last Joint Economic Commission meeting held in Washington, D.C., during December 2004, when the Iraqi Interim Government formally requested U.S. government assistance in modernizing the institutional and technical operations of its oil and gas sector. The IOTP is the result of extended and close discussions between Iraqi and U.S. government officials to: (i) develop a training program that addresses the immediate term training needs of the Ministry of Oil; (ii) provide a road map for longer-term training that could be instituted by the Ministry as part of its human resources management and development strategy; and (iii) provide a foundation for continued linkage between the Ministry and U.S. organizations in the areas of knowledge and expertise in oil sector management and operations. Specific training programs have been designed in the areas of management, technical operations, and human resources.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
