Bechtel vows to hire Iraqis

Repairing Iraq's infrastructure 'could take years'

US construction giant Bechtel has been defending its plans for the reconstruction of Iraq.

Bechtel is the largest recipient of reconstruction contracts so far, having landed a US government project worth up to $680m (£433m).

Bechtel director Cliff Mumm, who heads its operations in Iraq, said the firm was determined to boost the local economy by giving jobs to Iraqis.

"Iraqis will rebuild Iraq. We're going to use Iraqi contractors, we going to use to Iraqi engineers in every possible circumstance," Mr Mumm told BBC Radio's World Business Report.

Scrutiny

Bechtel has been given the job of repairing Iraq's power, water and sewerage systems as well as key highways and airports.

I think a lot people expected there to be a big dump truck full of money Cliff Mumm, Bechtel

Which firms get reconstruction projects and how they spend the money is being fiercely scrutinised by non-US firms, anti-war groups, aid agencies and US opposition politicians.

All are watching for favouritism towards US firms, particularly those with links to the Bush White House.

Bechtel has built its reputation as a trouble-shooter contractor.

It led efforts to put out burning oil wells in Kuwait after the 1991 war and has previously built dams and pipelines in Iraq.

Mr Mumm warned against unrealistic expectations of rapid change, saying revitalising Iraq's infrastructure and economy was a "massive undertaking".

It could take a least a decade to reverse "fifteen years of neglect and three serious conflicts", he said.

A long job

"I think a lot people expected there to be a big dump truck full of money that was going to come over and then all of Iraq would be rebuilt," he said.

Bechtel's strategy hinges on targeting those infrastructure projects that can jumpstart development and "lay a solid backbone", he added.

"It is a goal to get the economy back up and operating and one of the things we can do with this contract is put Iraqis back to work,"

While Bechtel intends to use foreign contractors to supply skills, technology and raw materials that are not available locally, he said it is aiming for "self sustaining" development.

He argued that using Iraqi firms and staff also makes hard commercial sense.

"There is a big opportunity in Iraq on a two to 20 year horizon and many people are looking at it like that," he said.