According to the Middle East Times, US officials with Multi-National Division-Center have released more than $100,000 in micro-grants through the Commander's Emergency Reconstruction Program.
Major General Rick Lynch, who commands MND-C, authorised the CERP distribution to provide the initial costs to Iraqi business owners in the fishing industry, says .
A statement from the military says the goal of providing jobs to local Iraqi communities not only provides a boost to the economy, but is part of the overall counterinsurgency strategy to keep frustrated citizens from joining militants.
The farms could supply nearly 5,000 jobs to the regions and at least 500 more in secondary industries, the US military said in a statement.
Emergency Grants to Boost Iraqi Fish Farming
BAGHDAD - Emergency reconstruction programs targeting fish farms in Iraq's central Babil province could bring 5,000 jobs to the region, US officials say.