Improve of Iraq soil fertility by Dutch water management Note: This project has been cancelled, because of difficulties within the partnership.The project is initiated by Koop Watermanagement B.V. and its partner to provide the Iraqi market with both an own factory for drainage tubes and an organisation that will be able to install deep drainage in the saline soils of Iraq. The partners see this as an opportunity as the Iraqi government is financing (deep) drainage application as a way to revive the own agricultural production. The factory for the drainage tubes will be either established in Baghdad or Najaf. The drainage part of the company will have it base with the factory but the land where it will perform its business is situated around Najaf (200 km south of Baghdad) and further south. The total surface that will be provided with drainage is not known yet but the surface of saline soils is estimated at tens of thousands of hectares. Applicant Koop Watermanagement B.V. and local partner Al-Mubarak International Group are cooperating at the moment on a project to build a dam in the Euphrates river. For the project they will establish a joint venture. The project will facilitate agricultural development in a large part of Iraq, this is a top priority of the Iraqi government. The project will also contribute to the industrial development of Iraq as it introduces the more advanced production process for drainage tubes.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The partners intend to provide good payment conditions for the future staff. The organisation will be trained to conduct business in a responsible way. Work safety will be organised via ISO 9001 and KOMO certifications. On the work sites for drainage good working and living conditions will be provided for the staff.Raw materials will be purchased from companies that have good reputation on CSR as well.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe staff of the future joint venture will be trained in modern business management and sales management. The production employees will be trained in modern production techniques and quality management.The employees will have good and safe working conditions and the salaries will be at least 50% above minimum wages. Also, pensions will be paid for.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeIn Iraq, there is no production of drainage pipes. Also, the service for installation of deep drainage does not exist. The partners are willing to look into local sourcing of the poly propylene filter material for the tubes; this is material of recycled carpets that is available in western Europe because of waste separation. Maybe this can be organised in Iraq as well.•	Chain effectsMost raw materials will be imported. Only transport companies may benefit.The project will make available a locally produced high quality product for local contractors active in drainage installation. The project will also provide deep drainage installation that will be beneficial to farmers with high salinity soils.•	Impact on the sectorThe competitors for drainage work will also be able to offer for works in which deep drainage is an item as the joint venture will also be available as subcontractor. The government authorities will be given knowledge on the specific advantages of deep drainage and the technical installations.•	EnvironmentThe project will improve saline soils.•	Position of womenThe company will employ a limited number of women especially in medium-level positions.•	Impact on food safetyThe project will contribute to the local production of food as it will make now saline soils more suitable for food production. Both the acreage and productivity will increase.•	Impact on waterThe implementation of drainage is will make more efficient irrigation possible. To set up a facility for producing drainage pipes with a capacity of 5,000 metres per day. Besides the partners will also invest in a deep drainage installation organisation that will have a capacity of 200 km per year.