“This is my job”

Taha Arif Abdalkarim

Joined CNBM in 2007

Foreign Affairs Administrator of SINOMA Industry & Trade (Iraq) Co., Ltd.

In 2007, Suzhou SINOMA ventured into Iraq for the first time, taking on the SCP 5000t/d cement clinker production line project in Sulaymaniyah. This marked a significant milestone in the company's history, as it not only embarked on a pioneering journey in Iraq but also initiated a new phase of international market expansion. As a key player in the cement engineering sector under CNBM Group, we have made remarkable strides in the Iraqi market over the past decade, actively contributing to the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and expanding our global presence. Through our unwavering commitment, we have frmly established ourselves in Iraq, deepening our roots, achieving remarkable milestones, and setting a distinguished reputation in the field of cement engineering. Chinese enterprises have been rejuvenated and their image refreshed through our outstanding accomplishments in Iraq.

Nevertheless, the road to success was far from smooth. Suzhou SINOMA's foray into Iraq was riddled with formidable challenges, particularly upon its arrival in Sulaymaniyah. Operating in an unfamiliar country struggling to get back on its feet posed a significant hurdle for the project's implementation. Taha joined the Suzhou SINOMA team during that period. As a dedicated employee of the company, Taha played a pivotal role in shaping this remarkable story and bore witness to the entire developmental journey of company.

In April 2007, Taha, then in his 20s, stepped into Suzhou SINOMA's temporary offce in Sulaymaniyah. Taha's previous experience working on a China Railway project for over a year, along with his knowledge of the Chinese language, allowed him to swiftly assimilate into the company's team. With a deep-rooted desire to contribute his efforts to the betterment of the Kurdish region, this passionate Iraqi officially joined the ranks of Suzhou SINOMA as an employee.

During that period, the Iraq War in 2003 was still fresh in people's memories, and a significant presence of American troops remained in the country. Sulaymaniyah, situated in the politically stable and relatively secure northern Kurdish region, experienced sporadic incidents of attacks targeting American forces and government establishments. Given the scarcity of Chinese companies operating in the area, Taha took on the role of a driver while also fulflling translation duties. He played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of everyone by primarily focusing on security protection work. Whenever there was a local incident or movement, Taha took it upon himself to proactively reach out to everyone, ensuring their safety and keeping them updated on the latest developments.

After the completion of the temporary construction facilities for the SCP project, the project site embarked on preparations for the arrival of machinery, materials, and equipment. However, due to its remote location deep within Sulaymaniyah, the project site was situated 1,200 kilometers away from the contracted transit port of Mersin in Turkey. Approximately 400 kilometers of this distance lay within Iraq. After years of conflict, detailed information regarding road conditions, bridge load-bearing capacity, and potential aerial obstacles remained elusive. A feld inspection was necessary to gather accurate data, and Taha naturally assumed the crucial role of leading the way. In consideration of safety, Taha carried a frearm in the accompanying vehicle, temporarily taking on the responsibility of a security guard for the inspection team. Over the course of three days and two nights, the team conducted exhaustive work, meticulously measuring and documenting vital details such as road conditions, bridge integrity, and potential obstacles along the route. This frsthand information proved instrumental in ensuring smooth logistics and transportation for the project.

In June 2010, with the establishment of the Iraq SCP production and operation project, Taha naturally became a member of the project team. During the initial phase, the project faced challenges such as staff and material shortages. Taha took on various responsibilities. He served as the driver of the project department, with vast knowledge of various engineering vehicles. He was responsible for material procurement and the sourcing of essential spare parts. Moreover, Taha's profciency in English allowed him to fulfll the role of an on-site translator, bridging the language barrier between the team and local stakeholders.

In February 2020, the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic sent shockwaves across Iraq, instilling fear and uncertainty throughout the country. Taha often drove at night to transport people between the factory and the airport, and sometimes could drive as far as the Iranian border. Due to the epidemic, the project department minimized interactions and contacts with the outside world. Taha willingly took on the responsibility of communications with outsiders on behalf of the team, effciently handling various business matters without ever expressing any complaints.

Regardless of the changing environment, one can achieve miracles by steadfastly sticking to everyday. In 2018, Taha was honored as an Exceptional Overseas Employee and received a well-deserved invitation to visit the company's headquarters for a study program in 2019. To Taha, this recognition from the company meant more to him than anything else.

Over the course of 15 years, Suzhou SINOMA has created a new realm in Iraq, and Taha's life, as an integral part of Suzhou SINOMA, has blossomed with dreams and aspirations, refecting the positive transformation brought about by his association with the company.

02

麥坦提·摩根

?2022 年加入中國(guó)建材

現(xiàn)任中國(guó)建材贊比亞工業(yè)園健康、安全、安保、環(huán)境和質(zhì)量經(jīng)理

Mwitanti Morgan

Joined CNBM in 2022

HSSEQ Manager of CNBM Zambia Industrial Park

My name is Mwitanti Morgan. I am 39 years old. I was born in Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Zambia. I graduated from the University of Africa, and obtained my Master's degree in Basic Business Administration of Health and Safety Management from Acaciai University in the UK through distance education. In March 2022, I joined CNBM Zambia

Industrial Park as its Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality (HSSEQ) Manager. Before that, I accumulated rich work experience in health, safety, security and environmental management in the industry, and also paid great attention to the study of local laws and regulations and international rules, so as to contribute to the safety management of the industrial park as comprehensively and systematically as possible.

As an HSSEQ manager, I am strict with myself, and conscientiously carry out the company's safety and environmental protection management in accordance with the company's safety and environmental protection requirements, combined with the actual situation of the company's safety production. In order to do a better job, I attach great importance to the study of business knowledge and the improvement of business ability, learn the knowledge of safety and environmental protection by various means, exercise my work ability and improve my business level, and always try my best to complete the

assigned tasks as soon as possible. Since the beginning of this year, in order to promote

the continuous and stable improvement of the production safety situation of the industrial park, and thoroughly implement the policy of "safety first, prevention-focused, comprehensive management", we have focused on the hidden dangers in process equipment, infrastructure, operating environment, prevention and control means, as well as the weak links in responsibility implementation, compliance and discipline, and on-site management. We’ve supervised inspections and rectification work for various safety and environmental hazards.

In daily management, my colleagues thought I am a strict and impartial person, because I know that "safety is no small matter." Every individual should fulfill his or her responsibilities, and collectively we should perform our duties to achieve the goal of "zero accidents". I rarely stay in the office, and spend most of my time at the front-lines to timely detect and solve various safety and environmental protection problems in the production process, explain the safety operation procedures in detail for employees who are unfamiliar with the business, and point out problems and eliminate hidden dangers. I believe that only in this way can we create favorable conditions for smooth production and operation, and help improve the company's safety and environmental protection management level and quality. According to the company's arrangement, every June is the "Safety Production Month". I will actively lead my department colleagues to hang safety-themed slogans and banners in the park, to create a good publicity atmosphere. We also carefully formulate the activity plan of the Safety Production Month and send it to all workshops, organize and carry out a variety of environmental safety awareness lectures, drills and training activities in the workshops to comprehensively enhance everyone's safety and environmental awareness.

“Leave the past behind, and indulge in moving forward.” In the future, I will continue to enhance my business ability and earnestly learn more professional knowledge to enrich myself, so as to better serve the company's safety work. At the same time, we will strengthen the communication, coordination and collaboration with various departments, mobilize everyone to work together, organize and hold on-site safety production analysis meetings, identify the causes and solve the problems. We will develop some practical safety measures to support frontline management personnel in executing efficient on-site safety management. I hope that through these efforts, we can foster an atmosphere within the company where “safety is emphasized by all, and everyone understands emergency preparedness.”and we can jointly promote the safety work of the company to a higher level and safeguard the overseas development of China National Building Material Group.