by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Award-winning mine clearance firm BACTEC International is to open new offices in Iraq.

The company, based in Medway City Estate and celebrating 20 years in business, has won contracts in the former war-torn country and needs offices in Basra and Sulaimani.

The business employs more than 1,000 people worldwide, and has operated in around 50 countries. It now wants to push into new markets as well as expanding its operations in the Gulf and Middle East.

BACTEC (Battle Area Clearance, Training, Equipment and Consultancy) was founded by ex-Royal Engineer Major Guy Lucas and already has bases in Australia, Cambodia, Iraq, Lao PDR, Mozambique and the Philippines,

The latest international expansion has been funded by HSBC. BACTEC was a finalist in last year's HSBC Business Thinking Awards. The firm was interviewed in Hong Kong by leading business people, including Lord Digby Jones.

Speaking at the firm's 20th anniversary celebrations, he said BACTEC was an impressive company. "They fulfil virtually every vision I have for a UK business," he said.

Yvonne Bear, HSBC regional commercial director in the South, said: "BACTEC has developed a highly respected business, and is continuing to maximise the opportunities for growth that the international demand for their expertise presents."

Kevin Kneebone, BACTEC managing director and Institute of Directors Director of the Year, added: "We needed a bank that could support our ambitions for growth across the world, while providing the financing we needed in the UK to invest in new equipment. HSBC have provided both the capital and the expertise to support the business during an exciting phase of our growth."