Contracting officials complete international contracting course

By Courtesy (USF-I DCG A&T PAOAugust 15, 2010

BAGHDAD - Forty contracting officials from the Kurdish Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, Kurdish Ministry of Interior and the Iraq Ministry of Interior graduated from the International Defense Acquisitions Resource Management Program held at the MoI Officer's Club here Aug. 5.

The course was designed to expand the ministries' capabilities in handling international procurement and contracting.

"Everyone really benefited from the information they were presented," said Iraqi Maj. Gen. Hazem Kadum, deputy director to the MoI General Directorate for Contracts. "They now have a better understanding of how the financial process works."

"The strategic importance and necessity for the MoI to actively participate in, and have credibility in the global marketplace, is crucial as the MoI strives to sustain the equipment, systems and facilities gifted to them by U.S. and Coalition forces," said U.S. Army Col. Frank Holinaty, the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-MoI Financial Management and Contracts director.

Three more training programs are planned, with locations alternating between Baghdad and Kurdistan.

"Everyone wants to continue the training," Hazem said. "More training will help expand our capabilities."