Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

You forgot one, NDIA only has 1 or has the other been built?

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I don't know about that there was a $90Bn budget agreed in Basra for works a couple a month ago, it easily dwarfs the ADP budget in Astana or whatever other works they are trying to do for the expo.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

One of the most complex specialised infrastructure works for you civil guys only :p

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Oh yeah, people are flocking there.

Companies love building shit for it to get blown up.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

It's not a popular spot that's for sure and it's off the radar for most companies with a western-centric point of view but my crowd are making some serious efforts to break back in there.
The big companies working there like locals, lebanese, turkish etc are out of our normal field of contact or competition and most likely anyone used to dealing with the main ME companies but for certain it's a much bigger market.

(Actually just looked up the budget it was 113bn of which 40% is investment in capital expenditure not shabby in anyone's terms really)

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I think big western firms look at it as more trouble than it's worth?

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Its a magnificently corrupt market so maybe that is the sticking point. One tender I carried out as a side job for a Dubai based consultancy included some kind of deal where a fake subcontract was set up basically to pay some guy in the ministry.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Probably less Somalis there than in London so your hubbys head may remain attached to his neck
They do some to like holy places and markets for trouble causing which if your husband isn't into frequenting then his odds of coming back would surely be improved ?
My last but one mob had a presence in Rumaila and the guys had no dramas at all. In fact they all wanted more of it as the uplift was so good.

I think these places are for the young and foolish or ruinously divorced.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

:(:unsure:

Please guys, give some more details on security situation.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

It's not very secure if you wander around the place, I expect.

It can be safe enough if the company have the right systems, procedures and people (+ equipment) then it should be safe enough.

I really think you should be getting him to ask the firm.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Absolutely ridiculous comment.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I work in Basra now. Ive been in Iraq for 3 years having spent time in the military when it was dangerous.

There is no longer a threat of camps getting rocketed or mortared. Incidents across the country are probably less than incidents across London per day.

Yes you read the papers and hear bombs go off, but they go off against Civilian and Government of Iraq Targets. We have seen maybe 6 incidents in the last 6 months, NONE of which killed any ex pats.

Your husband isn't going to be allowed to go "down town" he will get picked up from the International airport where Emirates/Turkish/Qatar airways all fly into (would they fly in if it was dangerous?) He will get picked up by a security team and taken to a secure camp that has guards and security. No camp has been attacked.

Iraq during 2006/2007 was crazy. Afghan is crazy. Basra is the jewel in the crown for Iraq, it is a hub of activity with International companies coming in daily. Hotels are being built, new roads, basra has a new football stadium being built for the Gulf Cup Nations tournament Jan next year. Basra Security forces want this place to remain safe. Because if anything targeted an International company they would just leave.

Is Iraq safe? not massively. Is Basra safe to work in ? YES. Because we don't put ourselves in situations that may be dangerous. We don't go out, drink,etc. Is London, New York etc Safe to work? muggings, stabbings, drunken idiots fighting, gangs........ If the security situation changed expats would be removed immediately. If your husband has the opportunity to do it and earn some money do it. It wont look bad on his CV, he will make contacts from around the world.

PM me for further info if you require any more advice.

Its definitely not the worst Country in the middle east

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Its been a long time since I went out in any other city for a few drinks and considered that I was going to be stabbed, mugged or hit with mortar fire :D

But I agree with you in general, I was trying to explain earlier in the thread about how busy Basra was getting but its good to hear direct from someone there.

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

I want to go and work there now :-)

Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
 

Don't get me wrong, as seen in Egypt things can change dramatically overnight. However if it did there would be measures put in place to get Expats out.

If your husband has been offered a job he will be looked after accordingly. Plus he will get a lovely tan ;)