Canadian firm says Iraq misused its name
TORONTO • A Canadian construction company says it has severed ties with its representative in Baghdad and is probing what role he may have played in a recent missile test by the Iraqi government.
“We’re actually investigating the incident,” said Ali Aziz of Advanced Development Group Ltd. “We’ve pulled out the authorization from that person that we have in Iraq. We’re sending somebody in to look over things.”
The Toronto-based company said it took the action after seeing photos showing the ADG logo on equipment used during a missile test announced last month by the Iraqi government’s Military Industries Company.
The pictures showed an Iraqi official standing at an electronic console bearing the ADG logo — an outline of the Toronto skyline and CN Tower. The company’s logo also appeared on the base structure holding the missile.
But Aziz said ADG is a construction company that had nothing to do with the equipment bearing its logo. He suspects his branch representative in Iraq used the company name to obtain contracts without informing head office.
“We think that this person is actually using the name to bid on other contracts without our knowledge,” he said. Since seeing the photos, ADG has withdrawn its authorization from the Iraq branch representative to act on the company’s behalf, he said.
Experts who examined the photos said the export of missile technology is strictly controlled by the Canadian government. The ADG logo was not on the missile itself. Aziz said the company was concerned the steel structure holding it may have been provided by its representative.
“It’s something that was accomplished in Iraq and without the consent of ADG,” Aziz told the National Post.
The company is also investigating another government contract in Iraq, this one to build temporary housing for displaced persons fleeing ISIL-held areas.
Aziz said ADG in Iraq had subcontracted the work to another company but that it was done “behind our back.”
“We’re also thinking that ADG was also involved with that without our knowledge,” said Aziz, ADG’s vicepresident of sales. “So we’re investigating in both cases. Hopefully there isn’t any more.”
He said Canadian, U.S. and Western European firms have an edge when bidding on contracts in Iraq because they are more trusted. He suspects the ADG name may have been exploited to take advantage of that situation.
According to corporate records, ADG was registered in Ontario in 2012. Aziz is director and his father is president.
The company website says the family owned business was started in London, Ont., and that past projects include resurfacing a 30-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 and construction of a chlorine plant in Toronto.
The website says ADG also has branches in Dubai and Baghdad. Aziz said the
ITS NOT PART OF THE EXPERTISE WE DO. IT’S BEEN SUCH A MESS.
company expanded into Iraq but with little success due to the conflict with ISIL. The family has ties to Iraq and he still has uncles living there, Aziz said.
“I’m getting them on the move on this as well.”
On Jan. 30, the Military Industries Company of Iraq’s Ministry of Industry and Minerals posted photos of a test of the missile engine on its Facebook page.
They were later republished on Iraqi news websites and Twitter.
The post said the Iraqi made missile had a range of up to 15 kilometres and was capable of carrying warheads with between 350 and 1,050 kilograms of explosives that could detonate bombs planted in an area.
Professor Srdjan Vucetic of the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs said the text accompanying the photos indicated the missile was fully developed in Iraq and was meant for export.
He said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Canadian company’s logo was being used to “create media buzz” and secure funding.
“Its not part of the expertise we do,” Aziz said, adding the company supplied horizontal drilling equipment. While the ADG Iraq branch was registered with the local ministry of trade, he said operations would likely be put on hold.
“It’s been such a mess.”