Tech opportunities decent in Iraq
Warsaw-based OPTO was the first telecom supplier to announce success in the country. The telecom systems and accessories supplier was awarded two contracts with the combined worth of $7 million (zł.28 million) - and it expects to win future business in Iraq out of its recently opened office in Baghdad, according to Andrzej Połowniak, deputy president.
And Gliwice-based WASKO appears to be hot on the heels of OPTO's success as it expects to be awarded a contract later this week for IT. Damian Pustelnik, vice president at WASKO, kept mum on specific details of the contract, which will include the aid of an all-Polish IT and telecom consortium, because the deal has not been finalized.
Should the deal be a success, WASKO would have a press conference to announce the final award on November 28.
"I could say it's a software contract," he notes, before declining to comment further.
WASKO, which is a part of a larger holding company, WASKO Capital Group, began targeting Iraqi-based business two months ago, Pustelnik says. By using this initial deal as a stepping stone he predicts that Iraq business would provide the company's with 15-20 percent of revenues in the future. Last year, WASKO recorded zł.30 million in profit on revenues of around zł.200 million.
Pustelnik says one reason why WASKO opted to go to Iraq in search of riches is because of the increasing competition at home. The IT and telecom market is crowded, he says.
"Our local market is full of companies - and we find that there are opportunities in Iraq," he says.
But he is aware the WASKO won't have it so easy in the country.
"It's difficult to be there because of the violence," he notes. "It's been tough - a lot of companies are also looking for income in Iraq."
However, he adds, the company is in it for the long haul.
"But we think we've developed local relationships. Right now we are established there," he says. And he points out that in at least one area, Polish companies might have an advantage over their western counterparts: "Of course we are cheaper than the American companies and the Western Europeans." He says that while employees will fly back and forth between Gliwice and Baghdad, the company will maintain some six people there on average.
OPTO is also looking to cooperate with Polish companies to win future business. At present the company is participating in bids to supply cable storage cabinets and billing systems among others.
And Gliwice-based WASKO appears to be hot on the heels of OPTO's success as it expects to be awarded a contract later this week for IT. Damian Pustelnik, vice president at WASKO, kept mum on specific details of the contract, which will include the aid of an all-Polish IT and telecom consortium, because the deal has not been finalized.
Should the deal be a success, WASKO would have a press conference to announce the final award on November 28.
"I could say it's a software contract," he notes, before declining to comment further.
WASKO, which is a part of a larger holding company, WASKO Capital Group, began targeting Iraqi-based business two months ago, Pustelnik says. By using this initial deal as a stepping stone he predicts that Iraq business would provide the company's with 15-20 percent of revenues in the future. Last year, WASKO recorded zł.30 million in profit on revenues of around zł.200 million.
Pustelnik says one reason why WASKO opted to go to Iraq in search of riches is because of the increasing competition at home. The IT and telecom market is crowded, he says.
"Our local market is full of companies - and we find that there are opportunities in Iraq," he says.
But he is aware the WASKO won't have it so easy in the country.
"It's difficult to be there because of the violence," he notes. "It's been tough - a lot of companies are also looking for income in Iraq."
However, he adds, the company is in it for the long haul.
"But we think we've developed local relationships. Right now we are established there," he says. And he points out that in at least one area, Polish companies might have an advantage over their western counterparts: "Of course we are cheaper than the American companies and the Western Europeans." He says that while employees will fly back and forth between Gliwice and Baghdad, the company will maintain some six people there on average.
OPTO is also looking to cooperate with Polish companies to win future business. At present the company is participating in bids to supply cable storage cabinets and billing systems among others.
