INTERVIEW  What is I-BIZ? Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone (I-BIZ) is a designated secure area on a Coalition base in which a company that has a land use agreement with the Coalition can establish an operation. A business in the I-BIZ program will be given use of a piece of land on which to establish their business and operate for a period of time.  What location will I-BIZ occupy? I-BIZ can be located anywhere on a base. It is usually on or near the perimeter of the base to allow easier access to the Iraqi workers, incoming/outgoing material and customers. Is I-BIZ Iraq-wide? I-BIZ is being established on every base that has a need for the area. It is be on many bases throughout Iraq, and as the program expands, same bases will have multiple I-BIZ zones. What are the types of businesses, services and products suited for I-BIZ? Most products or services the Coalition needs are possible-BIZ operations. Some services are: building trades; building materials; repair shops; heavy equipment; all areas of construction; manufacturing; HVAC; auto maintenance and repair, and retail stores.  What are the types of businesses, services and products suited for I-BIZ? Most products or services the Coalition needs are possible I-BIZ operations. Some services are: building trades; building materials; repair shops; heavy equipment; all areas of construction; manufacturing; HVAC, auto maintenance and repair, and retail stores. How is I-BIZ connected with the Iraqi First Initiative? I-BIZ is a part of Iraqi First. If a company has a contract through the Iraqi First initiative, and needs a place on the base to locate their business, they can apply for a piece of land in an I-BIZ zone. I-BIZ was established to give access easy to the Iraqi worker. It also allows the coalition to support the local Iraqi economy. What are I-BIZ goals in the next 6 months? We would like to establish I-BIZ on as many bases as possible. We’d especially like to have Iraqi businesses and Iraqi workers providing services and products to the coalition. Is there coordination with the GOI? I-BIZ is a program of the coalition. Application into the program is made to the base Garrison Commander. He is the custodian of the program and signs the land use agreements with the company.  What is the process of applying? If a company has a contract with the coalition and needs to be in an I-BIZ area to successfully operate their business, they can apply for a land use agreement. The company should contact the Garrison Commander of the base, and provide a business plan with all requirements needed to operate. The company and the Garrison Commander will sign a Memorandum of Understanding which allows for the use of the land. With the MOU, the company can start implementing the plan. Would I be able to keep my staff on site? Presently, Iraqi workers cannot live on the base. They would have to be escorted on and off the base. The company can make arrangements for life support near the base to make it easier for the workers to commute to and from the I-BIZ area.  Is there any Financial Incentive….? The incentive is the contract with the coalition and being able to successfully fulfill it. Another incentive is the use of the land free of charge.