Setting out plans for more investment in the Region’s tourist infrastructure, including new hotels, parks and even ski resorts, Samir Abdullah Mustafa, KRG Minister for Municipalities and Tourism, stressed that the popular view that growth in Kurdistan was all based on oil and gas is mistaken, saying, “The tourism sector is as important to Kurdistan’s future as its oil and gas sector. Many companies already offer package visits to Kurdistan so we do know that tourists love our Region when they visit. However, to make the most of our natural, archaeological and religious tourist potential, as well as our growing reputation as a ‘go-to’ destination for retail visitors, will take a great deal of investment. The rewards for UK businesses, our Region and ultimately the tourists who visit will be huge.”
Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford-upon-Avon and Co-Chair of the All Party Kurdistan Group, told the conference, “Even before the UK-led efforts to install the ‘no-fly zone’ over Kurdistan in 1991, the Kurdistan Region and the UK have shared a special friendship. Beyond friendship though, the Kurdistan Region now offers extraordinary opportunities for UK business. Many businesses are already thriving but there are plenty of opportunities for others to invest. Carrefour may be the first Western supermarket in the Family Mall in Erbil but there is no reason why Tesco and Sainsbury’s couldn’t set up in Erbil too. The recent announcement by Mothercare is very welcome and proves this.
“There are many reasons for these opportunities: the people want to learn, they are friendly, the banking sector was not exposed to the global crisis and the economy is becoming increasingly business friendly but perhaps most importantly Kurdistan, as I saw on my recent visit, is now a healthy, stable and secure democracy ready to capitalise on its role as Iraq’s business gateway to the world.”
(Source: KRG)
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