Basrah
Southern Iraq’s Basrah province is the economic engine of the country. With a population that exceeds 1.6 million, the country’s second largest municipality is the city of Basrah. All of Iraq’s maritime ports are located in Basrah province, which is the source for half of Iraq’s gross domestic product. Bordering Kuwait, Basrah province also generates 75 percent of the government of Iraq’s revenue, and 85 percent of Iraq’s oil exports pass through Basrah.
PRT Basrah is headed by a senior State Department Foreign Service Officer who leads a team of experts in petroleum and gas, port development, essential services, rule of law, governance, agriculture, and public diplomacy, as well as representatives from USAID and the U.S. military, and a growing staff of local nationals. Oil contracts from the Government of Iraq have attracted numerous international oil and oil-service companies to Basrah Province, where seven percent of the world’s proven oil reserves are located. The Basrah PRT has positioned itself to support the increased economic activity that oil business will bring to the province.
Related Stories
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New Soil Testing Machine Funded by PRT Basrah Will Benefit Basrah University College of Engineering
As the result of a successful Iraqi-American cooperation, the College of Engineering at Basrah University received a much-needed truck-mounted auger machine for soil investigations. Basrah University Chancellor Dr. Saleh Najim, Basrah Provincial Reconstruction Team Officer Suzanne Bodoin, and a representative from Al-Fakher Company presided over a hand-over ceremony in the presence of Basrah University faculty and students.
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Ambassador’s Youth Employment Initiative Launched Amid Fanfare in Basrah
The USAID-Mustaqbal Iraqi Youth Initiative opened its first Youth Entrepreneurship Resource Center in Basrah province July 28 inside the Basrah Business Information Center (BBIC).
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Over 30 Baswari Librarians Trained in "Modernizing Iraqi Libraries with Limited Resources"
On June 1-2, the Director of the Information Resource Center (IRC) from the Public Affairs Section in Baghdad held a two-day training session at the facilities of the Basrah Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) for over 30 librarians from Basrah University.
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PRT Basrah Supports Governor's Request to Help Clean-up Basrah
April 1 marked the completion of a project to remove a huge heap of scrap metal from downtown Basrah.
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PRT Basrah Awards 85 Micro Grants
The Basrah PRT has awarded 85 micro grants in amounts ranging up to $5,000 to men and women for projects.
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PRT Basra Helps Deliver New Electricity Distribution System
The Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) celebrate the completion of 14 U.S. Government funded projects designed to deliver reliable electricity to nearly 15 districts throughout Basra.
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Basra PRT Teams with Governor to Highlight Reconstruction Progress
Basra Provincial Reconstruction Team Leader John Naland and Basra Provincial Governor Dr. Sheltagh Aboud Almayah meet in their first-ever joint press conference, on progress of US funded reconstruction.
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Basrah PRT Outlines Its Role in Improving Life for Basrawis
The U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team in Basrah is working with the Provincial leadership to deliver better public services.
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Basrah Micro Grants Will Help Local Tribe Launch 47 New Businesses
The PRT awarded forty-seven (47) micro grants to help members of a local tribe develop small businesses.
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New Basrah PRT-Supported Transparency Board Practices What It Preaches by Holding First Public Meeting
The newly formed Basrah Transparency Board (BTB) held its first meeting in Basrah on December 30, 2009.
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Basrah PRT Supports Efforts to Refurbish Water Treatment Plants in Dry Region
The Basrah PRT has awarded $2.5 million in contracts for the refurbishment of R-Zero, Al Maqil, Bradia, Jubalia and Ribbat Water Treatment Plants.
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Basrah PRT, Government of Iraq Work Together to Bring Water to Iraqis
The PRT and the 17th Fires Brigade kicked off today a $500, 000 project to deliver 500,000 liters of water daily to the city of Abu Al Khaseeb.
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PRT Basrah Completes Successful “Goats for Widows” Program, Looks to Expand It
The Basrah PRT has completed the first round of its "Goats for Widows" program.
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PRT Basrah Supports Al Amah Deaf and Mute Society
The Basrah Deaf and Mute Society "Al Amah" trains young women to sew and make handicrafts like stuffed animals.
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British Consulate General and Basrah PRT Co-Host High Level UK Trade Delegation
The Basrah PRT joined hands with the British Consulate General and the Basrah Investment Commission (BIC) to host a high-level UK Trade Delegation.