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Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq is open
for business
28.5.2007
By Maj. Juanita Chang, 5th Mobile Public Affairs
Detachment |
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May 28, 2007
Erbil, Kurdistan region (Iraq) -- With a
little assistance from a small military team and a
few people from
Department of Defense, a group of international
businessmen representing more than a dozen
international companies spent a week traveling
through the northern region of Iraq while on a
mission to find opportunities for business and
economic development.
The group traveled the relatively stable northern
region of Iraq meeting with local business leaders,
members of chambers of commerce and key governmental
officials. All left surprisingly impressed by what
they saw and experienced and some had already
arranged for return trips to begin projects.
What they found was a part of the country that isn’t
what you see on the news or in mainstream media.
This truly is ‘the other Iraq,’ as the local public
relations campaign touts, and it is open for
business.
“I was very impressed with the enthusiasm, zeal and
passion of the Kurdish people and their government,”
said Subhas Sircar, regional vice president of
Marine Middle East, Mediterranean and South Asia AIG
MEMSA Insurance Company Ltd. “A lot needs to be done
at the shortest time, and they would look forward to
our support in their endeavors, to be partners in
their progress.”
Many of the businessmen, who saw the huge potential
for investment there, were already planning to
return to the region before they even left.
Erbil, Iraq’s fourth largest city, with an estimated
population of one million, is the capital of the
Kurdish region and is booming with development.
There are world class hotels, a 400-store mall,
amusement parks filled with playful children and
even a zoo.
The airport here demonstrates the same high level of
security that we have come to expect in the U.S.,
with the same high-quality baggage screening and
inspections and unimposing armed guards who keep a
quiet but close watch over everything that is going
on. Flights land daily with direct routes to popular
hubs such as Vienna, Stockholm, Amman, Dubai, and
Amsterdam and passengers exit and enter wearing
designer business suits and talking on cellular
phones.
The state-of-the-art convention center is just down
the road from the $300 million airport and across
from the new Naz City Apartments, which are selling
out at a price of $130,000 per apartment.
Members of the task force attended the grand opening
ceremony of The Park Hotel Kempinski, a luxury
resort hotel, also attended by influential members
of the community, including Nechirvan Barzani, the
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
“Projects such as this are our response to the
destructive activities of terrorists. Whatever they
do, the terrorists cannot stop our progress,” said
Barzani, referring to a bomb that went off in the
city just two days prior. The bomb was the first to
go off in the city since February 2004.
All throughout the region, leaders of business and
industry praised the KRG for setting the conditions
to attract more investors and international
interests to the region.
The executives embarked on a journey to the Turkish
border to see the point of entry for many import and
export goods.
This drive included a stop in the booming city of
Duhok.
Duhok is a thriving city of an estimated 50,000
people. Businesses in Duhok are flourishing and.
banks and markets buzz with commerce. The trip here
included tours of a brick factory, water factory, a
chocolate factory and lunch with Duhok’s Governor
Tamir. |
The Sulayamaniyah International Airport is open for
business and hosts direct flights to and from
Istanbul, Amman, Dubai, Baghdad, and Munich. (U.S.
Army photo by Maj Juanita Chang, 5th Mobile Public
Affairs Detachment
The new state of the art convention center in Erbil
is available to host functions large and small and
is located a very short drive from the Erbil
International Airport (U.S. Army photo)
This view is from the 10 floor of the new Naz City
Apartments in Erbil, located near the new state of
the art convention center and a very short drive
from the Erbil Int Air US Army photo by Maj Juanita
Chang, 5th Mobile Public Affairs |
The next day included a scenic three hour drive to
Sulaymaniyah -- Iraq’s sixth largest city with a
population estimated around 750,000,. After being
greeted by Governor Dana himself, and having lunch
with the Chamber of Commerce, the executives visited
other businesses, including Asiacell communications.
In short, the Kurdish region is home to a tranquil
security environment, effective government and
economic promise.
Their economic success is due to some advantages of
the region compared to the rest of the country.
The northern no-fly zone established shortly after
the Gulf War continued until the United States-led
invasion of Iraq in 2003. The operation provided the
Kurdish population with humanitarian aid and
reassurance of safe skies, and the ability to
effectively get a dozen-year head start on
redevelopment of their area.
The Kurds have also come together to work as unified
group to achieve common goals.
With international airports at both Erbil and
Sulaymaniyah, a secure security environment, solid
infrastructure, economic development and eager
business-minded residents, the northern region of
Iraq is flourishing and open for business.
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