communication & transport
The communication sector in Kurdistan has taken a spritely turn towards development and maturation over the past decade. Telecommunications, information technology, media outlets and the Internet have all seen a considerable amount of advancement in their technology and ubiquity. In retrospect it can be argued that communication in northern Iraq had been in development since the early 1990’s uprising, from barely no communications access to a boom in mobile cellular networks, independent television and radio stations and the emergence of free media. In 2001 we had only 2 mobile providers in the region. Each had coverage in two separate regional administrators. Asiacell (Sulaymaniah) and Korek (Erbil & Duhok), now we have healthy competition in the region currently competing in all regions of the country.
The level of communication related investment indicates the strong position of the sector within the region with several mobile telecommunications in healthy competition; it has opened up the demand creating better communication services. Due to the regions safety local telecommunications providers have been able to hire foreign experts, companies such as Asiacell & Korek have foreign managers, advisors and directors this has been key in the training and development of the local workforce.
This industry includes companies primarily engaged in operating, maintaining, or providing access to services or technologies enabling the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wireless telecommunications networks. It also includes operations engaged primarily in purchasing access and capacity from network owners and operators, and reselling telecommunications services to businesses and households. Cellular communications are a large component of this industry. In addition, information technology is now a motor of economic development in modern societies and Kurdistan is going to be first region in Iraq that has an outlined 5 year IT strategy, which will enhance the future of Kurdistan. Early adoption of an IT strategy is at the heart of the KRG efforts. Kurdistan is almost a Greenfield site. Fresh Platform to start making real developments in IT infrastructure. Making a democratic ‘ e-governance’ a reality, from ministerial laptops to disadvantaged citizens.
Education has been improving for this generation. The demographic demonstrates a perfect picture for potential telecommunication and internet based investment.
Currently there are issues with distributing net access across Kurdistan, as the land is mountainous, WiMax technology is breaking this barrier however the lack of wired communications between the region and Internet backbones remains a problem with the right investment this issue can also be solved to provide broadband speed internet access across the region.
KRG believes that the strategic use of IT is part of our core economic development initiatives. We are relying on established best practices and international know-how and experience, while creating a local institutional capacity to ensure the sustainability of our efforts. Helps promote “good governance goals, empowering our citizens”.
Transportation Transportation infrastructure along road and air links is well developed. Various plans to achieve these improvements are at an advanced stage.
The government developed a national transport strategy to upgrade the country’s infrastructure, and enable Kurdistan to capitalize on its natural geographical advantages.
The Kurdistan Region’s Airports:
Erbil International Airport (EIA)
The airport just went under major construction in the region of $400 million were spent, the new airport has 16 gates and is capable of carrying the worlds largest aircrafts.
It is advised that passengers arrive at Erbil International Airport at least 2.5 hours before their departures to allow sufficient time to board the shuttle bus and go through the security check point to the departure terminal.
Sulaymaniah International Airport (SIA)
A smaller airport but has constant flights to international destination, airport is used for cargo aswell as individuals.
Please note that airline routes and schedules to Kurdistan are expanding. Please confirm details of flights directly with the operator as they may be subject to change.
Roads & Highways The region has a developing road connection that connects all over the country, connecting Kurdistan’s with all its neighboring regions. It has functioning roads between all cities and town but is on the path to creating extensive Inner city road systems that create easy flowing traffic, such as the 100m road in Erbil and other highways in respective cities.
Currently construction has begins to create two sided roads between all major towns and cities such as the road between Erbil and Koya, to create better transportation and networking routes for companies and individuals.
The level of communication related investment indicates the strong position of the sector within the region with several mobile telecommunications in healthy competition; it has opened up the demand creating better communication services. Due to the regions safety local telecommunications providers have been able to hire foreign experts, companies such as Asiacell & Korek have foreign managers, advisors and directors this has been key in the training and development of the local workforce.
This industry includes companies primarily engaged in operating, maintaining, or providing access to services or technologies enabling the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wireless telecommunications networks. It also includes operations engaged primarily in purchasing access and capacity from network owners and operators, and reselling telecommunications services to businesses and households. Cellular communications are a large component of this industry. In addition, information technology is now a motor of economic development in modern societies and Kurdistan is going to be first region in Iraq that has an outlined 5 year IT strategy, which will enhance the future of Kurdistan. Early adoption of an IT strategy is at the heart of the KRG efforts. Kurdistan is almost a Greenfield site. Fresh Platform to start making real developments in IT infrastructure. Making a democratic ‘ e-governance’ a reality, from ministerial laptops to disadvantaged citizens.
Education has been improving for this generation. The demographic demonstrates a perfect picture for potential telecommunication and internet based investment.
Currently there are issues with distributing net access across Kurdistan, as the land is mountainous, WiMax technology is breaking this barrier however the lack of wired communications between the region and Internet backbones remains a problem with the right investment this issue can also be solved to provide broadband speed internet access across the region.
KRG believes that the strategic use of IT is part of our core economic development initiatives. We are relying on established best practices and international know-how and experience, while creating a local institutional capacity to ensure the sustainability of our efforts. Helps promote “good governance goals, empowering our citizens”.
Transportation Transportation infrastructure along road and air links is well developed. Various plans to achieve these improvements are at an advanced stage.
The government developed a national transport strategy to upgrade the country’s infrastructure, and enable Kurdistan to capitalize on its natural geographical advantages.
The Kurdistan Region’s Airports:
Erbil International Airport (EIA)
The airport just went under major construction in the region of $400 million were spent, the new airport has 16 gates and is capable of carrying the worlds largest aircrafts.
It is advised that passengers arrive at Erbil International Airport at least 2.5 hours before their departures to allow sufficient time to board the shuttle bus and go through the security check point to the departure terminal.
Sulaymaniah International Airport (SIA)
A smaller airport but has constant flights to international destination, airport is used for cargo aswell as individuals.
Please note that airline routes and schedules to Kurdistan are expanding. Please confirm details of flights directly with the operator as they may be subject to change.
Roads & Highways The region has a developing road connection that connects all over the country, connecting Kurdistan’s with all its neighboring regions. It has functioning roads between all cities and town but is on the path to creating extensive Inner city road systems that create easy flowing traffic, such as the 100m road in Erbil and other highways in respective cities.
Currently construction has begins to create two sided roads between all major towns and cities such as the road between Erbil and Koya, to create better transportation and networking routes for companies and individuals.
Trade & industry
Kurdistan has enjoyed a long history of both external and internal trade. The
region has capitalized on its regional location by implementing policies and
laws that attracts investment and economic growth. Trade routes throughout have
been running throughout the region for over 6,000 years. Trade is one of the
driving sectors in the growth of the Kurdistan Region’s economy. Trade is a
large source of revenue for the region mainly in the private sector helping to
boost small and medium-sized business in the region.
Due to Kurdistan, not being conducting separate region within Iraq precise information
is not gathered by international organization, creating a barrier for potential
trading and investment in the region. So trade figures in the region vary at
around $1.4 billion from estimates of the World Bank while the Federal
Government states its around $9.6 Billion we believe is somewhere in the region
of $ 5 Billion range. Based on regional statistics we have gathered in the past
few years with department within the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Imports account for 85% percent of the estimated US$5.0–5.5 billion of annual external trade in the Kurdistan Region. Most imported goods are consumed in the Region and are not re-exported as value-added products. The largest external trading partner for the Region is Turkey. Turkish exports to Iraq amounted to US$2.8 to 3.5 billion in 2007, based on official Turkish Government figures. The Region’s second largest trade partner is Iran. Iraq is Iran’s
second-largest, non-oil export market. Iraqis bought some US$1.3 billion worth of goods from Iran during 2006. In 2007 Iran exported nearly US$2.8 billion
worth of goods to Iraq in, of which approximately US$1 billion was imported via the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
There is a lack of regulatory standards for food or basic food safety standards. Regulatory standards are needed for fair competition in the
marketplace. This absence of standards has resulted in local government taking its matters into their own hands by banning certain products entering the region this has helped increase the quality of goods in the region. Exports from the Kurdistan Region involve 5% of trade activities. While there are some
agricultural exports from the Region, currently much of the export trade in the Region involves the re-export of alcohol and tobacco from Turkey to other
countries such as Iran.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Region has been predominantly sourced from Turkey and, to a much lesser extent, Iran. The two countries with the
largest economic stake in the Kurdistan Region and are also the closest geographically.
Under the assumption that ongoing exploration activities will uncover significant new oil deposits in the Kurdistan Region, it is believed oil companies will dominate FDI of the Region
Unlike the trade, the industrial and manufacturing sector is small and underdeveloped. The Kurdistan Region is faced by a multitude of internal and
external hurdles that impede industrial capacity development. An array of essential requirements are absent: a coherent trade and industry policy;
telecommunications; sustainable production; relevant technologies; energy facilities; entrepreneurial, managerial, and technical skills; business/trade
support institutions; efficient, transparent government agencies; and a business-oriented legal framework.
External hurdles include rules-based non tariff barriers to trade, the high cost of technology transfer, increasing protection of agriculture production in
developed countries, and limited access to international supply chains and external market information.
The KRG has worked hard to promote the Region as a superior business location in the Middle East. To create a competitive environment where they are able to compete on prices, cost of labour, manufacturing cost to cement itself as a regional force.
region has capitalized on its regional location by implementing policies and
laws that attracts investment and economic growth. Trade routes throughout have
been running throughout the region for over 6,000 years. Trade is one of the
driving sectors in the growth of the Kurdistan Region’s economy. Trade is a
large source of revenue for the region mainly in the private sector helping to
boost small and medium-sized business in the region.
Due to Kurdistan, not being conducting separate region within Iraq precise information
is not gathered by international organization, creating a barrier for potential
trading and investment in the region. So trade figures in the region vary at
around $1.4 billion from estimates of the World Bank while the Federal
Government states its around $9.6 Billion we believe is somewhere in the region
of $ 5 Billion range. Based on regional statistics we have gathered in the past
few years with department within the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Imports account for 85% percent of the estimated US$5.0–5.5 billion of annual external trade in the Kurdistan Region. Most imported goods are consumed in the Region and are not re-exported as value-added products. The largest external trading partner for the Region is Turkey. Turkish exports to Iraq amounted to US$2.8 to 3.5 billion in 2007, based on official Turkish Government figures. The Region’s second largest trade partner is Iran. Iraq is Iran’s
second-largest, non-oil export market. Iraqis bought some US$1.3 billion worth of goods from Iran during 2006. In 2007 Iran exported nearly US$2.8 billion
worth of goods to Iraq in, of which approximately US$1 billion was imported via the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
There is a lack of regulatory standards for food or basic food safety standards. Regulatory standards are needed for fair competition in the
marketplace. This absence of standards has resulted in local government taking its matters into their own hands by banning certain products entering the region this has helped increase the quality of goods in the region. Exports from the Kurdistan Region involve 5% of trade activities. While there are some
agricultural exports from the Region, currently much of the export trade in the Region involves the re-export of alcohol and tobacco from Turkey to other
countries such as Iran.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Region has been predominantly sourced from Turkey and, to a much lesser extent, Iran. The two countries with the
largest economic stake in the Kurdistan Region and are also the closest geographically.
Under the assumption that ongoing exploration activities will uncover significant new oil deposits in the Kurdistan Region, it is believed oil companies will dominate FDI of the Region
Unlike the trade, the industrial and manufacturing sector is small and underdeveloped. The Kurdistan Region is faced by a multitude of internal and
external hurdles that impede industrial capacity development. An array of essential requirements are absent: a coherent trade and industry policy;
telecommunications; sustainable production; relevant technologies; energy facilities; entrepreneurial, managerial, and technical skills; business/trade
support institutions; efficient, transparent government agencies; and a business-oriented legal framework.
External hurdles include rules-based non tariff barriers to trade, the high cost of technology transfer, increasing protection of agriculture production in
developed countries, and limited access to international supply chains and external market information.
The KRG has worked hard to promote the Region as a superior business location in the Middle East. To create a competitive environment where they are able to compete on prices, cost of labour, manufacturing cost to cement itself as a regional force.