Media Release

Wednesday, 22 October 2003 - MVT84/2003

US-Australian Consortium Wins US$120 Million Contract for Agriculture Sector Rehabilitation in Iraq

Collaboration between South Australian-based SAGRIC International, CSIRO and US firm DAI has resulted in a US$120 million contract to support the rehabilitation of Iraq’s agriculture sector, Trade Minister Mark Vaile announced today.

SAGRIC and CSIRO will assist in the rehabilitation and modernisation of agriculture in Iraq by providing much-needed technical assistance, financial services, training and equipment to improve resource management, revitalise local markets, and increase agriculture trade and investment.

Mr Vaile welcomed the awarding of this major US Agency for International Development contract to SAGRIC and CSIRO as recognition of Australian expertise in the agriculture sector.

“With over thirty years agricultural experience in the Middle East on dry land farming and rain-fed irrigation systems, SAGRIC and CSIRO are well placed to assist the reconstruction of Iraq’s agriculture,” Mr Vaile said.

“Their participation will complement Australia’s already strong relationship with Iraq in agriculture where Australia is co-leading, along with the US, Coalition Provisional Authority efforts to rehabilitate Iraq’s agriculture sector.

Both SAGRIC and CSIRO say the win was a direct result of their participation in Mr Vaile’s high level business mission to the US in April.

“Mark Vaile has pushed hard in the US, Middle East and Iraq to ensure Australian companies and research agencies have the best possible chance of winning Iraq reconstruction contracts,” SAGRIC managing director Glen Simpson said.

“As a result of Mr Vaile’s US mission, CSIRO has now won two major contracts to assist in Iraq’s rehabilitation,” CSIRO general manager for business development, Peter Lewis said.

CSIRO has also won a role with DAI and USAID to conduct a pre-feasibility study for a USD$30m project to remediate the Iraqi Wetlands.

Mr Vaile said he is confident that other high-calibre Australian companies will realise commercial opportunities in Iraq as the economic and security situation stabilises.

“I congratulate SAGRIC and CSIRO for their world-competitive scientific expertise and determination, which helped win this contract in Iraq,” Mr Vaile said.

Contact:  Matthew Doman  02 6277 7420