Iraq was the first country in the region which started the usage of computers in some organizations. Early in 1961, the Iraqi oil company implemented some applications in the oil sector that included technical, financial as well as administrative applications. Later (in the early sixties) the University of Baghdad bought an IBM 1130 for educational purposes. After that, the railroad, port and electricity state organizations followed those steps and began using computers to meet administrative and financial needs of systemization.

In the early 1970's, the use of mainframe computers increased to 12 systems to cover other state organizations than the previously mentioned such as the Post & Telecom Organization, the Central Statistical Organization, Pension Organization, Basra Oil Company, the Atomic Energy Organization and the Ministry of Health. Most of the hardware used at that time were either IBM or NCR.

In the mid 1970's, the mainframe computers increased and new large computers came into the country. All were utilized in state organizations. However, new companies came into the Iraqi market, Honeywell information systems came in with fine large systems for the National Computer Center, Basra University, Mosil University, Technology University and Port Administration.

Moreover, Japanese manufacturers entered the Iraqi market with large mainframe systems that were to be used in Atomic Energy Organization and the National Computer Center. Univac and a French company CII had also established themselves in the Iraqi market. By the beginning of the 1980's, there were more than 50 large and medium computers and over 200 mini computers.

Almost every general state organization in the country (such as state industries, transformation and communications organizations, oil universities, and finance and research institutions) used computers. Although the number seems large, it was very much justified due to the centralized IT sector at that time that was fully controlled by the National Computer Center (NCC). The NCC was established in 1972 as the central governmental agency that was responsible for procurement or rental of any computer by any public or private organizations. The usage of computers was by the approval of the NCC and under their supervision. No individual in the country was allowed to use computers unless they have been through the procedures of the NCC.

NCC was also linked to the National Planning Board that was responsible for drawing annual and fine year plans. All the data was kept by the NCC.

During that time, the IT sector focused on the needed manpower for the assurance of the 'allowed' usage of the computing power in the country. As a result, almost all computer systems were shared by more than one organization, especially those with little need for them or those who (from the point of view of the NCC) did not appropriately justify the need of having an independent computer. The NCC forced those organizations to hire 'computer time' from other computer centers. The average 'hire time' of computers was 14 – 20 hours a day. Almost all the manpower employed for these installations (hardware or software) was Iraqi. There was a concrete plan to develop Iraqi manpower through training of engineering, physics, mathematics, statistics and accounting with intensive courses that used the help of the computer companies both outside and inside Iraq. Iraq was able to train over 5000 Iraqi individuals to work in this field. In the meantime there were over 100 Phd and Ms holders in Computer Science disciplines who returned to the country. As early 1978 the Higher Institute for Computer Science was established at the NCC promoting those who held Masters and graduate diplomas in computer science and informatics. In addition, those with bachelors degrees in computer science and programmers in computer science and information system initiated at the different universities in Iraq.
By 1978, Iraq was the first country in the region which started the program of introducing basic teaching of computers and programming at different levels in high, secondary and elementary schools.

Most of the applications were designed by Iraqi citizens, in some case with the help of some software houses. The applications were mainly administration, education, finance, payroll, inventory control and statistics.

Unfortunately, due to Iraq's policy at that time which emphasized on the military and wars with neighboring countries (first with Iran, then Kuwait and what after) that began in the mid 80’s, the IT sector started to fall behind and all the efforts that began in the 70’s became obsolete, outdated and later it was stagnated.

Technology worldwide has advanced dramatically since that time, there is much needed to be done in the IT and telecom sectors in Iraq in order for those sectors to pull themselves along side of global technology and to aid the new Iraq in moving forward on the right track.

The AGMEST group, feeling it is their duty to take part in the rebuilding of new Iraq, has established two companies Seenen, Al – Ather in field of IT and telecommunication, so that they can contribute as much as possible in the process of joining the global IT and telecomunications field.