Similar observation can be made for the industry sector. Despite the fact that the industry occupies second place by volume of investments, Kurdistan Region is still importing a lot of products from neighbouring countries and their quality is often not good. Shilan Abduljabar Abdulgani, Member of the Parliament who grew up in Norway, insists on the importance of making the Kurdish Region self-sufficient: “It is important that we produce our own goods in agriculture and industry. Kurdistan climate and land are very favourable for agriculture production. Therefore, we have to support our farmers and build our own industry. Kurdistan region’s production has to be self-sufficient. This will also create more jobs”.
Tourism
Another very dynamic sector in Kurdistan is the tourism. Kurdistan Region has two international airports, which provide direct flights from several capitals in Europe; a third international airport is going to be built. According UNESCO, in Kurdistan Region is situated “one of the most dramatic and visually exciting cultural sites not only in the Middle East but also in the world” – the Erbil Citadel. The Citadel represents a unique example of a town that has nested on top of a hill for several millennia and possesses a very important traditional architectural and urban heritage. It is from the 5th millennium BC and it is related to the ancient civilizations of Sumerians and Acadians. Therefore, it is regarded as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the world. The Citadel currently is under restoration, but it is open for visitors.
War Crimes Museum ?
Many local tourists from the rest of Iraq and the neighbouring countries also visit Kurdistan because of the stability and security in its territory. However, for the moment the Region lacks cultural tourism infrastructure, including important museums and cultural monuments, which will valorise the rich historic past of the Kurds. The tragic part of the Kurdish history could also find its place in a War Crimes Museum in the memory of many hundred thousand victims of massacres in Kurdistan Region.
Important oil and gas reserves
Apart from the construction, the industry and the tourism sectors, foreign companies are also attracted by the oil and gas reserves in Kurdistan Region. According the Kurdish Prime Minister Dr. Barham Salih, recent geological surveys estimate the oil reserves in the Kurdistan Region to be as high as 45 billion barrels and around 3-6 trillion cubic meters of natural gas.
The opening of the market and the economy liberalisation in Kurdistan open many new working places and currently there are about 100 000 immigrant workers, mainly from Asia. They work in the private sector, in the commerce and the construction, but also at the airport and in the public sphere. According Mr. Lovat the fact that today many Kurdish young people get University diplomas, raises higher their carrier ambitions and the low qualified jobs are left to the immigrants. At the same time, the lack of legislation regulating the payment of the immigrant workers creates new problems on the labour market because of the salary gaps between migrant and local workers. Some Kurdish politicians believe that the establishment of minimum salary in the public and private sector could protect both the Kurds and the migrant workers.
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