Iraqi Entrepreneurs: Making Anwar’s Workshop Global

Today, and with the knowledge he built at IPI and EDC, Anwar is able to receive a number of loans and expand his business. The small workshop grew by 70 percent into a large agricultural contracting and trading company with employees, and his revenue increased by 35-45 percent. In addition, he owns a 50-percent share in a gas station, and water and electricity generators that support the city of Thi-Qar.

Reflecting on his journey with EDC, Anwar says that “starting a business is a big achievement for many entrepreneurs, but maintaining one is the larger challenge. EDC taught me how to maintain and grow my business.”

Anwar’s company received contracts from the Thi-Qar Irrigation Directorate and the General Authority for Water Resources. More recently, the company expanded to the global market, as Anwar has been contracted by Chinese companies specializing on imports and water pumps, such as Bhushan and Onan Corporation. His current annual revenue now varies from USD 230,000 to 250,000, with two workshops, an office and a warehouse of about 600 square metres.

(Source: UNIDO)