Business openings in
Kurdistan are taking off
KURDISTAN is not Ireland, and Ireland is not
Kurdistan. No doubt about it, that's for sure! But
are there not lessons from Ireland that are
applicable to Kurdistan? Ireland's population is
about the same as Kurdistan's, four million.
Ireland's advice is very simple: "Make high school
and college education free; set your corporate taxes
low, simple and transparent; actively seek out
global companies; open your economy to competition;
use English; keep your fiscal house in order and
build a consensus around the whole package with both
labour and management - then hang in there because
there will be bumps in the road - then you too can
become one of the richest countries in the European
sphere." |
Burhan Jaff
KRG-European Union Mission |
|
Keeping in mind it's been only two years since
liberation, let's look ahead to the longer term. In
Kurdistan, high school and college education is
already free, although quality needs to be greatly
improved. Corporate taxes are virtually
non-existent. Global companies are beginning to be
sought. Opening up of the economy to competition has
started.
The use of English has begun but needs to be greatly
expanded and accelerated. Keeping the fiscal house
in order is underway. There is no real problem with
labour, except for the current shortage, but
management capabilities can do with enhancement.
Since 2003, the door has been wide open enough to
walk through.
Kurdistan
Iraq is a country of scientists, engineers and
technicians. Kurdistan could very well become a
source of software engineering for the export
market, for example. The subject is already being
taught in at least one of the three regional
universities.
What other interesting industries could Kurdistan
get involved with? What else does Kurdistan need to
do to prepare for a more interesting and
economically exciting future?
The European Investment Authority continues its
rapid development. After the regime of Saddam
Hussein withdrew its administration and military
from part of the Kurdistan Region an airstrip near
Erbil in what was the largest military base in
northern Iraq remained in disuse from October 1991
until 2003. Coalition military forces used the
airstrip against the regime of Saddam Hussein. At
that time there were no facilities at the airstrip,
only the runway.
Later the U.S. military transferred control of the
Erbil airstrip to the Kurdistan Regional Government
(KRG). The formal transfer ceremony included the
signing of the flag of the Kurdistan Region by the
late KRG Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Sami Abdul Rahman
and the then Major General David Petraeus of the
U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division stationed in
Mosul.
Since that 2003 formal transfer ceremony the runway
has been lengthened and strengthened, the control
tower, terminal building, and other facilities
constructed and an ILS (Instrument Landing System)
together with communications equipment installed.
Emergency equipment has been procured and staff
foreign trained. Foreign trained security staff
(with explosives sniffing dogs) have been employed.
Equipment at Erbil is the latest and most modern.
The terminal building is complete with security
equipment including x-ray baggage scanning and
handling machines, passport control, visa and
customs services. A 10-day visa may be obtained on
arrival. If the period is exceeded, the KRG Ministry
of Interior must be contacted.
This is the first airport in Erbil. Although the
present runway can accept today's largest aircraft,
with the exception of the Antonov-225 (only one is
in service) a second airport nearby is under
construction and is expected to be ready within two
years. The runway will be longer and stronger to
take the largest and heaviest aircraft, and terminal
facilities will be larger with the latest in modern
facilities and services, including jetways for
passengers.
Certificate
EIA has been technically ready for months handling
special military and civilian flights daily. A few
weeks ago EIA finally received the long sought
International Gateway Certificate which allows
regular scheduled commercial flights direct to
foreign destinations. It's only been two years since
the door to Kurdistan was opened after being
isolated and denied access to the rest of the world
for more than a decade. Various options are being
rapidly explored and negotiated by EIA but 'Safety
First' is the watchword. Success is dependent on the
cooperation of less-than-fully friendly neighbours
and on passenger response.
The first direct flight, by Kurdistan Airlines,
arrived on July 21st from Dubai. At least a dozen
companies have expressed interest in flying from
Dubai to EIA. Iraqi Airlines plans to station an
aircraft and crewin Erbil to fly direct to Istanbul
and Amman. Royal Jordanian might also start a
service direct from Amman. Iraqi Airlines will fly
direct to Damascus soon, perhaps this month. Flying
Carpet will start flying direct to Beirut.
Other destinations being considered are Amsterdam,
Athens, Cairo, Frankfurt, Larnaca, and Stockholm.
www.eurepoter.co.uk
Top |
® 