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New Premier gives new hope to Kurdistan's economy
2009-11-17
By Aiyob Mawloodi
The Kurdish Globe
Suleimaniya hosts fifth DBX Kurdistan International Exhibition.
The Tasluja International Exhibition Ground hosts the fifth DBX Kurdistan Trade Fair from November 11-14.
The DBX Kurdistan International Exhibition is the fifth of its kind in Kurdistan and the seventh trade exhibition to be held in Suleimaniya.
Since the fall of the previous regime in 2003 and the start of the rebuilding process in Iraq, Kurdistan Region began hosting trade shows in all three of its main cities: Erbil, Suleimaniya, and Duhok. This is possible because of the superior stability and security situation that the region enjoys compared to the central and southern parts of the country. Such exhibitions have facilitated cooperation among a large number of foreign and local firms, and have channeled a large amount of foreign direct investment into the region that has helped in the rebuilding and developing process of Kurdistan and Iraq.
The newly appointed Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Dr. Barham Ahmed Salih, opened the exhibition and gave a speech to the participants in which he reiterated the importance of such gatherings; he also stated that more attention must be given to local firms and products so as to be able to compete with imported goods from foreign countries.
Prime Minister Salih said in a press conference after the opening of the exhibition that the KRG is planning to establish two open trade areas in Kurdistan Region.
According to the Prime Minister, the plan is to establish one open trade area in Bashmax border town in Suleimaniya Province, and the other in Zakho border town in Duhok Province. For this purpose, the KRG has been in negotiations and discussions with neighboring countries, and they have reached initial agreement regarding the project and some steps have already been taken.
PM Salih stated that both neighboring Turkey and Iran have welcomed the idea and promised to implement such a project with the KRG.
The exhibition is being attended by some 222 local and international companies from 14 regional and international countries, said Aras Karim, spokesman of the Suleimaniya Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Karim claims that Suleimaniya Chamber of Commerce is planning to make Suleimaniya the gateway to the reconstruction of Iraq and the economic and commercial development center in Kurdistan Region.
Now that the new Kurdistan Regional Government has been sworn in, Kurdistan Region is open to development, said Majid Michelle, representative of the DBX Fair organization staff.
Hassan Baqi Hawrami, chairman of Suleimaniya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who gave a speech at the opening of the trade show, outlined the importance and effectiveness of such exhibitions on the economic situation and development of the region and the whole country.
Among the countries represented in the event were Kuwait, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, and Italy.
Regarding the economic situation of Kurdistan, Salih proudly said that the people of Kurdistan have a higher income and better life standards compared to the other cities and parts of Iraq, and he also described Kurdistan as a developing region and a trade and economic gateway for the whole country.
Another topic tackled in the press conference was relations between Erbil and Baghdad. PM Salih said that though they have some disagreements and unsettled issues with the central government, the only practical and possible solution is referring back to the Iraqi permanent Constitution.
Herish Muharram, chairman of the KRG Investment Board, said in an interview with a local Kurdish news agency that the participation rate of companies has become higher compared to the previous years\' exhibitions, and that the purpose behind the exhibition is attracting investing companies to Kurdistan Region so as to show the new image of the region to their countries and transmit the message of economic changes, security, and stability of the region to their countries and people.
The majority of the participating companies were foreign, and the area dedicated for the local companies was not sufficient, according to local participants. Out of a total area of 4,700 square meters of exhibition ground, only 128 square meters were dedicated to local firms, something that raised the concern of some 70 companies and prevented some from participating in the event at all.
KRG Prime Minister Barham Salih and a number of government officials visit exhibitors' booths at the 5th DBX Kurdistan in Suleimaniya on Wednesday, November 11. PRESS PHOTO
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