| Type: | Limited liability company |
| Founder: | Abdul Mahdi Muslim Tahir Al-Juboori |
| Location City: | Baghdad |
| Location Country: | Iraq |
| Area Served: | Middle East |
| Key People: | Abather Al-Juboori (CEO) |
| Industry: | Oil and gas |
| Services: | Engineering and Design Construction Real Estate |
Ability with Innovation (AWI) is a construction company founded by engineer Abdul Mahdi Muslim Tahir Al-Juboori in Iraq.[1] [2] Al-Juboori's portfolio includes factories, banks, health centers, schools, ballet courts, library buildings, and a broadcasting tower.
The founder's son, Abather Al-Juboori, is currently the Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer.[3]
Abdul Mahdi Muslim Tahir Al-Juboori founded the Baghdad Company for Passengers and Goods Transportation in 1987. He was one of the company’s first significant shareholders and served as its first Chairman and CEO.[4]
In 1970, Al-Juboori started his private business in Baghdad, Iraq, with a contracting license from the Iraqi Contracting Union.[5] Throughout the 1970's, large investments were made in infrastructure as revenue from oil poured in from the nationalization of the Iraqi Petroleum Company. The business expanded during this period, focusing on technology and education and undertaking major infrastructure projects.[6]
From 1980–1988, the Iran–Iraq War altered the course of Iraqi history. During this period, the oil revenues were diverted to fuel the Iraqi Army, which strained the Iraqi economy.[7] [8] Abdul Mahdi was forced to join the public army, and the company activities were then focused on both investing in the Iraqi stock market and renting heavy equipment to the Ministry of Housing & Construction.
In 1985, the Iraqi Contracting Union required all contractors to register with the Ministry of Trade and operate under a company license, issued by the company registrar. As a result, the Abdul Mahdi Muslim Company was established.
From 1991–2003, severe United Nations sanctions slowed the Iraqi economy, and the company's construction activities were dramatically affected.[9] However, during this time, the company continued to invest in the Iraq stock market and generated profit by collecting dividends from substantial capital investments over the past 20 years.
In July 2005, Abather Al-Juboori (son of the founder) was appointed as the company's new CEO. The company expanded its market to new customers, including Fluor, Aim Group, and Spectrum Worldwide. Over the years, several companies emerged to support the requirements of the Government of Iraq, the U.S. Government, and commercial entities. These separate companies included Gruppo Cadini SRL, Spectrum Worldwide (joint venture), Caesar Trading & Construction, LLC, and FIC Consultants Engineering.
In September 2011, under the leadership and guidance of the CEO, Mr. Al-Juboori, all of the company subsidiaries were merged to form a single group, and the company name was changed to company name was changed to AWI – Ability with Innovation.
Currently, AWI is one of the largest providers of Host Country National Labor in Iraq, with more than 20,000 Iraqis since its inception. AWI has offices in Erbil, Baghdad, and Basra, Iraq. Management positions include Chairman/Chief Strategy Officer, President, Vice President of Finance, Construction Services Manager, Director of Special Projects, Director of HSE & Compliance, Director of Contracts, Business Development Director, and Procurement Director.
AWI is a provider for commercial and government entities operating in Iraq. The company focuses on multiple services such as O&G Constructions, fire truck leasing, maintenance and logistics. On an opportunistic basis, the company also provides power generation, housing development and commercial development.