Volume 1 Cedric - revised luca Final - RUIG-GIAN

feasibility study performed by specialists demonstrated the situation was in his favour. Thefamiliarity he gained with Arab and foreign companies during convention shows gave himuseful insights on this sector and access to construction material markets, particularlyneeded for government rebuilding projects. He is currently employing 8 workers and hasfaced some difficulties during the war, but believes that this sector is a very prosperous oneand will continue to be for many years to come. The project generates substantial returns,he does not suffer from competition and he deals with banks only if there is an emergencyneed for investment. However, he considers interest rates very high. Alaa expressed hiswillingness to develop the mass-building of houses and businesses.8.2. Enterprising in Al-NajafWisam (male): a 22 year-old industry high-school graduate. He started work as anemployee in February 2002, and after a few months he established his own private project.He asked for a loan from a relative, rented a workshop and bought materials needed from alocal market. Al-Najaf is renowned for its painted and printed verses from the Qura’an. Hemanaged to implement innovations in the field of embroidery and reproduced his mostpopular motifs in painting. He is employing 4 workers and has adopted some modernproduction devices. The project faced some difficulties during political disorders in Al-Najaf, but prospered by late March 2003. Wisam hopes to expand to a larger embroiderycompany with more advanced computerized equipment as he believes this sector has highmarket potential.Mohammed (male): a 29 year-old technical institue graduate. Relatives and friendsoffered him a loan in order for him to set up his own carpentry workshop (Mohammedgained experience in this sector after working for a few years in the carpentry business).He did not face difficult problems and earned himself a good reputation, securingindependance and satisfactory wages. He would like to develop and expand into a moderncarpentry factory. He hopes competent governmental departments and local authoritieshave plans to promote entrepreneurs like him. According to Mohammed one of theseprojects should be the “allocation of land with nominal prices to them”.Ahmed (male): a 33 year-old with intermediate school education who worked as aclothing merchant’s assistant. As he developed experience he asked for a loan fromrelatives and rented a shop selling clothing material in July 1999. He managed to develophis business by introducing new types of clothing and curtains. The shop is generating areasonable income, making him hope to open a clothing factory. Although he was oncerobbed, he managed to overcome this difficulty with help from friends in the sameprofession.Mohand (male): a 25 year-old industry high-school graduate who worked for a fewyears selling auto spare parts in a shop. After gaining experience and market knowledge heasked for a loan from a relative in order to set up his own shop. He employs his brother asan assistant. He doesn’t suffer from business problems and the project sustains him with areasonable income. Mohand hopes to establish an import company in this field.Wardia (female): declined to tell us her age and has high-school education. Openedher own Arabic aba-sewing workshop (a traditional gown reserved to women in especiallyreligious cities such as Al-Najaf). Relatives provided her with the the start-up capital. Shestarted employing women only after demand rose (she currently employs three). Theworkshop offers her reasonable income and independence, which in turn fuels her plans ofexpanding the project.83