welcome to the kurdistan region of iraq · e dukon and sur rounds. welcome to the kurdistan region...

President Masoud Barzani 2

Fast facts about the Kurdistan Region of Iraq 3

Overview of the Kurdistan Region 4

Key historical events through the 19th century 9

Modern history 11

The Peshmerga 13

Religious freedom and tolerance 14

The Newroz Festival 15

The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region 16

Structure of the KRG 17

Foreign representation in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq 20

Kurdistan Region - an emerging democracy 21

Focus on improving human rights 23

Developing the Region’s Energy Potential 24

Kurdistan Region Investment Law 25

Tremendous investment opportunities beckon 26

Tourism potential: domestic, cultural, heritage 28and adventure tourism

National holidays observed by 30KRG Council of Ministers

Practical information for visitors to the Kurdistan Region 31

WELCOME TO THE KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ

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President Masoud Barzani

We are committed to being an active member of a federal,democratic, pluralistic Iraq, but we prize the high degree ofautonomy we have achieved.Our people benefit from a democratically elected Parliamentand Ministries that oversee every aspect of the Region’sinternal activities.

We understand that the private sector is the key to long-termdevelopment. Our role is to create an environment which willattract investment, and enable it to flourish. In July 2006 theKurdistan Parliament passed the Investment Law.This providessignificant incentives to foreign businesses working in ourRegion. And in August 2007 the Kurdistan Region Oil & GasLaw was passed.This will ensure the best international energycompanies will invest in our Region and that the sharedresources will be used for the benefit of the people of theKurdistan Region, and indeed the rest of Iraq.

We have made rapid progress on many fronts but thereremains much to do. Peace, freedom, democracy andprosperity are simple words for goals that are difficult toachieve.We are undeterred by this difficulty. Past hardship hassteeled us for the task ahead.We are moving towards a brightfuture.We hope you will come and share it with us.”

President Masoud Barzani, Inaugral Speech - 14 June, 2005

“The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has made significant progresssince the liberation of 2003.Through determination and hardwork, our Region has truly become a peaceful and prosperousoasis in an often violent and unstable part of the world.Our future has not always looked so bright. Underthe previous regime our people suffered attemptedgenocide. We were militarily attacked, and politically andeconomically sidelined.

In 1991 our Region achieved a measure of autonomy whenwe repelled Saddam Hussein’s ground forces, and theinternational community established the no-fly zone toprotect our airspace.

However, we truly freed ourselves from the threat oftotalitarianism in 2003. We in the Kurdistan Region areproud to have fought side by side with coalition forces toliberate Iraq.The removal of Saddam Hussein was welcomedall over the country, but nowhere more so than in theKurdistan Region.

Since our liberation we have avoided many of the problemsexperienced in the rest of the country. Our political partieshave formed a regional government of unity and are focusedon cooperation and development; our private sector attractsgood foreign direct investment; and our Region is free fromsectarian violence. Above all, our people are tolerant andpatient. In the past we have been victims of the worst kind ofoppression and violence. So we fully understand the dangersof sectarian and ethnic violence, and we will not allow suchbehaviour to take root in the Region.

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• With a rapidly increasing estimated population of morethan 4.5 million people under the Kurdistan RegionalGovernment (KRG) administration, the three governorates ofDuhok, Erbil and Suleimaniah cover more than 80,000 squarekilometres - eight times the area of Lebanon and larger thanthat of the Netherlands.

• The Region is geographically diverse, from hot plains tocooler mountainous areas blessed with natural springs wheresnow falls in the winter.

• As of mid-2009 Erbil International Airport (EIA) handlesover 80 passenger flights a week and SuleimaniahInternational Airport handles more than 60 passengerflights weekly.

• The capital and seat of the Kurdistan Regional Governmentis Erbil, a city known locally as Hawler.

• The Citadel in Erbil is said to be the longest continuallyinhabited place in the world.

• The Kurdistan Regional Government exercises executiveauthority according to the Kurdistan Region’s laws as enactedby the democratically elected Kurdistan Parliament.

• Iraq’s Constitution recognises the Kurdistan RegionalGovernment and the Kurdistan Parliament as legitimategovernmental bodies and the Peshmerga forces as legitimateRegional Guards.


Fast facts about theKurdistan Region of Iraq

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• The current coalition Government consists of severalpolitical parties that reflect the diversity of the Region’speople living together in harmony and tolerance.

• Kurdish is a distinct language belonging to the Indo-European family of languages which includes Persian andPashto.There are two main dialects, Sorani and Kurmanji.

• The Kurdistan Region has seven universities, including theEnglish language University of Kurdistan-Hawler in Erbil, andthe American University of Iraq in Suleimaniah.

Autumn is dry and mild, and like spring is an idealtime of year to travel in the Region. Average temperaturesare 24-29˚C (75-84˚F) in October, cooling slightlyin November.

Winters are mild, except in the high mountains. Mean winterhigh temperatures are 7-13˚C (44-55˚F), and mean lows are2-7˚C (35-44˚F).

On the craggy slopes of the Kurdistan Region, you will findtrees, birds and wild goats. On the mountain ridges growsmall oaks, junipers and mountain herbs. Poplars grow in thestream valleys and eucalyptus can be foundin watered areas on the plains. A wide variety of rarebirds can be seen year round in many areas of the KurdistanRegion.

Geography and Climate

The Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region in FederalIraq. It borders Syria to the west, Iran to the east and Turkeyto the north, where fertile plains meet the Zagrosmountains. The Region is traversed by the Tigris, GreaterZab and Lesser Zab rivers.

The Kurdistan Region currently comprises the threegovernorates of Erbil, Suleimaniah and Duhok.

The mountains of the Kurdistan Region have an averageheight of about 2,400 metres, rising to 3,000-3,300 metresin places. The highest peak, Halgurd, is near theborder with Iran and measures just under 4,000 metres.Thehighest mountain ridges contain the only forestland in theRegion.

The climate of the Kurdistan Region is semi-arid continental:very hot and dry in summer and cold and wet in winter.

Spring is the most beautiful season in the Kurdistan Regionand the time when Kurds celebrate Newroz, the KurdishNew Year, on the Spring or Vernal Equinox. Mean hightemperatures range from 13-18˚C (55-64˚F) in March to27-32˚C (80-89˚F) in May.

The summer months from June to September are hotand dry. In July and August mean highs are 39-43˚C(102-109˚F), and often reach 50˚C (122˚F).


Overview of theKurdistan Region

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People

The people living in the Kurdistan Region are predominatelyKurds, but also include Arabs,Armenians, Chaldean Assyrian,Syriacs and Turkmen.

The Region has a young and growing population, with 36%aged 0-14 years, and only 4% aged over 63.The median agein Kurdistan is just over 20.

The Kurdistan Region’s demography has changedconsiderably in the last few decades mainly due to migrationenforced by the previous Iraqi regime, resulting inmovement from the countryside to towns and cities. By2001, hundreds of thousands of people had been internallydisplaced.This included more than 100,000 people expelledfrom Kirkuk by the Iraqi Government in November 1991alone. According to a United Nations DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP) survey, 66% of people living in Duhokprovince have been forced to change their residence due towar at some point in their lives, while the figures inSuleimaniah and Erbil are 31% and 7%, respectively.

Traditionally, the majority of people in the Kurdistan Regionlived in villages. They subsisted on farming andanimal husbandry, mainly sheep and goats - thanks to theland’s fer tile soil. The Region was known as thebread basket of Iraq. Today this has changed, with themajority living and working in the three cities of Erbil,Duhok and Suleimaniah and working in construction ortrade sectors.



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“Spring is the most

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Kurdish New Year.”



English Sorani Kurdish

How are you? Choni?Welcome Bakher BeytGood day Roj BashGood morning Bayani BashGood afternoon Ewara BashGood evening Shaw BashGood night Shaw shadPlease Tkaya Bey-zahmetThank you SpasThank you very much Zor spasYou’re welcome Shayani niyaYes BaleNo Na / NakherExcuse me Ba yarmateetHow much is this? Ama ba chanda?Mr Ahmed Kak Ahmed (honorific term for men)Miss/Mrs Sayran Sayran Khan (honorific term for women)With pleasure Sar chawDo you speak English Inglizi dazani?I don’t speak Kurdish Kurdi nazanmTea without sugar Chai bey shakr

The Kurdish language

Kurdish, the most widely spoken language in the KurdistanRegion, is in the Indo-European family of languages.

The Kurdistan Region’s official languages for governmentpurposes are Kurdish and Arabic.

The two most widely spoken dialects of Kurdish are Soraniand Kurmanji. Other dialects spoken by smaller numbers areHawrami and Zaza.

Sorani is spoken in the cities of Erbil and Suleimaniah, whileKurmanji is spoken in Duhok. As the Region’s Kurdish-language media has developed and the population hasmoved, today nearly all people in the Kurdistan Region canspeak or understand both of the major dialects. TheKurdistan Regional Government’s policy is to promote thetwo main dialects in the education system and the media.

Arabic is also an official language and is widely spokenor understood. Chaldean-Assyrian-Syriac communitiesspeak Neo-Aramaic while the Turkmen populationspeaks Turkmani.

The Kurdistan Regional Government promotes linguisticdiversity and rights, and schools have been established thatteach mainly in Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, Chaldean Neo-Aramaic, Turkmen and Arabic. In addition, English languagestudies are growing dramatically and increasing numbers ofKurds are speaking basic English.

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Kurdish cuisine

Fresh herbs are the essence of Kurdish cuisine. People alsolove to cook with an abundance of vegetables. Lamb andchicken are the primary meats.

A typical Kurdish breakfast is flat or raised bread with honey,delicious sheep or buffalo yoghurt and a glass of sweetenedblack tea.

Savoury dishes are usually served with rice or flat bread.Lamb and vegetables are simmered in a tomato sauce tomake a delicate stew that is usually served with rice. In thespring and summer, salads and fresh herbs are often on thedinner table. Kurds also make many types of kofta andkubba, dumplings filled with meat.

During Newroz, Kurds celebrate by dressing in their finestclothes and setting off to the countryside for picnics andtraditional folk dancing, often taking a large pot of yaprakh.Also known throughout the Mediterranean as dolma,yaprakh is a dish of freshly picked vine leaves stuffed withrice, vegetables, meat, herbs and garlic, and then simmeredin a large pot.

The Kurdistan Region has fertile soil and a hot summerclimate ideal for growing grapes and orchards such aspomegranate, fig and walnut. The Region’s honey has aclear light taste and is often sold with the honeycomb.Kurdistan also produces excellent sheep, goat and buffalodairy products.


Key historicalevents through the19th century

331 BC: Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia fightthe Battle of Gaugamela, also known as the Battle ofArbela, about 75 kilometres north-west of Erbil. In theaftermath, Darius is murdered by his kinsmen andAlexander goes on to conquer the Persian Empireincluding Babylon and extends his empire to the Punjab.

6-700 AD: Arabs conquer Kurdistan Region and convertmany to Islam.

60-80,000 years ago: Evidence of Neanderthalpeople living in Shanidar Caves near the Big Zab River inErbil Province.

30-300,000 years ago: Evidence of Old Stone Age(Middle Paleolithic) people living in six caves near thevillage of Hazar Merd, south-west of Suleimaniah.

9,000 BC: At Karim Shahir near Chemchemal, the earliestevidence of wild wheat and barley cultivation anddomesticated dogs and sheep.

6,750 BC: At Jarmo village near Chemchemal, evidence ofthe oldest known permanent farmed settlement of mudhouses, with wheat grown from seed and herds of goats,sheep and pigs.

4,000 BC: Evidence that Arbela was settled, making it oneof the oldest, continuously inhabited sites in the world.Excavation is difficult because the modern city lies on topof the ancient town.

612 BC: After the Babylonians destroyed the Assyriancapitals of Ashur and Nineveh, the Assyrian empirecity of Arbela, becomes part of the Babylonian empire.

539 BC: After Persian leader Cyrus the Great takes overBabylon, Arbela joins the vast Achaemenid or ancientPersian empire.

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1100s – 1800s: In this period the Kurdistan Region wasruled by several semi-independent principalities, theArdalan, Botan, Badinan, Baban and Soran.

Early 1500s: The Kurdistan Region becomes the mainfocus of the rivalries between the Ottoman andPersian empires.

1514: After Turkish Sultan Selim I defeats the Shah ofPersia, Kurdish scholar Idriss Bitlissi persuades the Sultan togive back to the Kurdish Princes their former rights andprivileges in exchange for their commitment to guardthe border between the two empires. The principalitiesin the Kurdistan region enjoyed wide autonomy until theearly 19th century.

1784:The city of Suleimaniah is founded by Prince IbrahimPasha Baban when he decides to transfer the Babanemirate’s capital from Qala Chwalan.

1847: Collapse of Botan, the last independentKurdish principality, which included the towns of Amadiyaand Akra.


Key historicalevents through the19th century

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Modern history

1975: The Iraqi Government signs the Algiers Agreementwith Iran, in which they settle land disputes in exchange forIran ending its support of the Kurdistan Democratic Partyand other concessions.

1983: 8,000 boys and men from the Barzani clandisappear under the Iraq Government. In 2005, 500 ofthem are found in mass graves near Iraq’s border withSaudi Arabia, hundreds of kilometres from the KurdistanRegion.The discovery of the remains of the Barzani Kurdsis chronicled in the award-winning documentary“Saddam’s Road to Hell.”

1987-1989: The Iraqi Government carries out thegenocidal Anfal campaign against Kurdish civilians,including mass summary executions and disappearances,widespread use of chemical weapons, destruction of some4,500 villages and of the rural economy and infrastructure.Residents are forcibly removed to collective towns. Anestimated 200,000 are killed in the campaign.

On 16 and 17 March 1988, Iraqi Government aeroplanesdrop chemical weapons on the town of Halabja. Between4,000 and 5,000 people, almost all civilians, are killed.

1918: Sheikh Mahmoud Barzinji becomes governor ofSuleimaniah under British rule. He and other Kurdishleaders who want Kurdistan to be ruled independentlyof Baghdad rebel against the British. He is defeated ayear later.

1923: The Treaty of Lausanne between Turkey and theallied powers invalidates the Treaty of Sevres, which hadprovided for the creation of a Kurdish state.

1925: After sending a fact-finding committee to Mosulprovince, the League of Nations decides that it will be partof Iraq, on condition that the UK hold the mandate forIraq for another 25 years to assure the autonomy of theKurdish population. The following year Turkey and Britainsigned a treaty in line with the League of Nation’s decision.

1946-1947: The Republic of Mahabad which was officiallyknown as the Republic of Kurdistan was established in Iran.While short lived, it was the only time that Kurds had trulyestablished their own independent state.

1970: The Kurdistan Democratic Party, lead by MustafaBarzani, reaches an agreement with Baghdad on autonomyfor the Kurdistan region and political representation in theBaghdad Government. By 1974, key parts of theagreement are not fulfilled, leading to disputes.

1971-1980: The Iraqi Government expels more than200,000 Faili (Shia) Kurds from Iraq.

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1991: The people in the Kurdistan Region rise up againstthe Iraqi Government days after the Gulf War ends.Withinweeks the Iraqi military and helicopters suppress theuprising. Tens of thousands of people flee to themountains, causing a humanitarian crisis. The US, UK andFrance declare a no-fly zone at the 36th parallel. Theestablishment of a safe haven prompts the return ofrefugees. Months later, Saddam Hussein withdraws theIraqi Army and his administration and imposes an internalblockade on Kurdistan. The KRG begins to rebuild thevillages destroyed during the Anfal campaign.

1992: The Iraqi Kurdistan Front, an alliance of politicalparties, holds parliamentary and presidential elections andestablishes the Kurdistan Regional Government.

1994: Power-sharing arrangements between theKurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PatrioticUnion of Kurdistan (PUK) fall apart, leading toconflict and two separate administrations in Erbil andSuleimaniah respectively.

1998: The PUK and KDP sign the Washington Agreement,ending the conflict.

2003: The Peshmerga, Kurdistan’s official armed forces,fight alongside the coalition to liberate Iraq from SaddamHussein’s rule.

2006: At the start of the year, the PUK and KDP agree tounify the two administrations. On 7 May, Prime MinisterNechirvan Barzani announces a new unified cabinet.

“Securing a bright future withina realistic framework ofexpectations is the right of ourpeople. Our governmentencourages and supportscitizens to play effective andconstructive roles in society.”Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani


The Peshmerga

The Peshmerga forces are the official Regional Guard ofthe Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Under the 2005 Iraqiconstitution, the Peshmerga are officially recognised as alegitimate regional military force in Iraq, to serve andprotect all areas administered by the Kurdistan RegionalGovernment.When called upon, they have also served inthe Iraqi military, including tours of duty in Baghdad.

In 2003, the Peshmerga fought side by side with coalitiontroops to liberate Iraq from the tyranny of SaddamHussein. They are among the most effective anddisciplined soldiers in all of Iraq and have helped to keepthe Kurdistan Region free from the violence andbloodshed which affected the rest of Iraq after theliberation of 2003.

The foundations of the modern-day Peshmerga forceswere legendary warriors who fought to protect theirpeople and homeland. The Peshmerga trace their rootsback to the late 1800’s and are steeped in tradition.When translated, Peshmerga literally means “those whoface death.”

From the mid 20th Century, men from all walks of societyvolunteered as Peshmerga fighters to resist repression byIraq’s former dictactors, above all against Saddam Hussein.Throughout their struggle and under the guidance of wiseleaders, the Peshmerga never resorted to terrorism andtreated Iraqi army soldiers as prisoners of war.

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Throughout, the Peshmerga fighters were supported bythe public as defenders of their rights.

They are renowned for their organisation, unyieldingcourage and determination, and have been steadfast inprotecting the people of the Kurdistan Region.Current and former Peshmerga members are respectedin Kurdish society, and many of today’s political andbusiness leaders served in the Peshmerga to fightrepression by previous dictatorships.

The KRG committed itself to the creation of a federal,democratic, pluralistic Iraq. KRG officials believe thatcitizens are all responsible for respecting the rights ofethnic minorities throughout the nation. In the Region, thereality on the ground demonstrates respect fordiversity and commitment to human rights. Today, theKurdistan Region is an example of successful religious andethnic coexistence.

People of different ethnicities and religions live side by sidepeacefully in the Kurdistan Region. This culture oftolerance is promoted by the KRG and the Region’s otherinstitutions, which protect the religious, linguistic andcultural rights of all groups. Kurdistan’s ability to live inpeaceful coexistence with an ethnically and religiouslydiverse constituency is a great strength.

The KRG believes it can safeguard Kurdistan’s historicaland cultural heritage while embracing concepts of modernsociety and freedom. At the same time they respect thereligious commitments of those who worship differently.

The majority of people in the Kurdistan Region are SunniMuslims, mainly of the Shafi’i school. Some Muslims in theRegion follow Sufi orders.

There are also several Christian sects practising freely,many of whom have found the Kurdistan Region to be asafe haven after suffering from persecution and sectarianviolence in other parts of Iraq. A religion that is practisedonly in the Kurdistan Region is Yazidism, which has severalthousand adherents.

Religious tolerance is the symbol of all civilised andsuccessful societies. The Universal Declaration of HumanRights emphasises that all nations and countries mustsupport religious freedom and respect the rights of allpeople to select their religion and worship.


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Newroz is a traditional celebration in Kurdish culture.Although many cultures in this part of the world have aspring-time holiday, Newroz holds a special meaningfor the Kurdish people. It marks the Kurdish New Year atthe Spring Equinox starting 20 March, and is now a threeday holiday of unity, hope and renewal in the Region.

The ‘Newroz fire’ is the traditional Kurdish symbol ofvictory. The Newroz myth recounts the Kurdishstruggle against an evil ruler. When the Kurdish forcesdefeated the tyrant, they lit fires to transmit the goodnews to the people throughout the Region. The fire hastherefore come to represent initiative and success, tosymbolise freedom from oppression and to signify growthand revitalisation.

The holiday is a celebration of nature and triumph of goodover evil. Kurdish people wear colourful, traditionalclothing and enjoy the natural beauty of theirsurroundings. Singing, dancing and picnics are particularlypopular activities for rich, poor, young and old alike.


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The President of the Kurdistan Region has the highestexecutive authority in the land. He or she is elected bysecret ballot in a popular vote every four years and canstand for election for a second term.

On 31 January 2005, the Kurdistan Parliament elected MrMasoud Barzani as Kurdistan Region’s first president.Subsequent presidential elections will be by secret popularballot by the people of the Kurdistan Region.

The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region as a political,administrative, and legal institution was promulgated bythe Kurdistan Parliament in 2005 under Law 1, Article 1.

At national and international levels, the presidentrepresents the people of the Kurdistan Region, overseesrelations between the Region and the Iraqi federalauthorities, and represents the Region at Iraq’s PoliticalCouncil for National Security, which includes the IraqiPresident, the two Vice Presidents, the Iraqi Prime Minister,and the Speaker of Iraqi Council of Representatives.

To secure the rights of the people of the Kurdistan Regionin the Iraqi Constitution, the President represents theRegion when conducting negotiations and consultationswith other parties in Iraq and will oversee coordinationbetween the Kurdistan Regional authorities and the Iraqifederal authorities.

The President approves the Prime Minister’s applicationsfor special appointments and promotions.Any laws passed


The Presidency of theKurdistan Region

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by the Kurdistan Parliament must be ratified by thePresident before they are enacted.The President has thepower to return any law passed by parliament for furtherdebate.This must be done within ten days of the passageof the law.The decision of the parliament after the referralis final.

According to the Law of the Presidency, the President ofthe Region has a Deputy. Through a session of theKurdistan Parliament, Mr Kosrat Rasul Ali was elected asthe Deputy President of the Kurdistan Region.The DeputyPresident assists the President in his or her duties and inthe President’s absence is the acting President. ThePresident also has the right to delegate some of hispowers to the Deputy.

The President’s administration is called the Diwan, and isheaded by the Chief of Staff who has ministerial rank.

For more information and news please visit the Presidencywebsite, www.krp.org

community in terms of trade and foreign direct investment• Infrastructure development throughout the Region, andgreater delivery of public services• Capacity building and human resource training across avariety of sectors• Concentration on human rights, particularly the rights ofwomen and children• Formation of an independent judicial body as an equalbranch of government• Establishment of a programme to enhance goodgovernance and transparency in the KRG

The coalition government consists of 27 ministries andnine ministers without portfolio. Female ministers andministers from religious minorities and smaller politicalparties ensure the character of a truly representativegovernment.The government is based in Erbil, the capitalof the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdistan Parliament

The Kurdistan Parliament is the Kurdistan Region’sdemocratically elected parliament. The KurdistanParliament consists of one elected chamber comprising111 members.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) exercisesexecutive power according to the Kurdistan Region’slaws, as enacted by the democratically electedKurdistan Parliament.

The Government coalition consists of several politicalparties. The coalition reflects the ethnic and religiousdiversity of the Region’s people.

Until the unification agreement of 21 January 2006, thegovernorate of Suleimaniah was governed by a PatrioticUnion of Kurdistan-led (PUK) administration, while thegovernorates of Erbil and Dohuk were governed by aKurdistan Democratic Party-led (KDP) administration.

In line with the wishes of the people and their owndesire for a more efficient and united government, thepolitical parties of the Region signed the historicUnification Agreement.

The Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region serves as thehead of the regional government. Since the unification ofthe two administrations, Nechirvan Barzani has filled thisrole. Prime Minister Barzani has emphasised a number ofstrategic objectives and social reforms, both in terms ofdomestic activity and relations with the internationalcommunity. In April 2009 Imad Ahmad Sayfour wasapproved by Parliament as the Deputy Prime Minister.Achievements over the last few years include:

• Enhanced relationship with the Republic of Turkey• Greater cooperation with members of the international


Structure of the KRG

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using the ranking order of candidates on its list.To ensurerepresentation of all groups, one seat is allocated for anArmenian representative, five seats for Chaldean-Assyrian-Syriacs and five seats for Turkmen.

Structure of the Kurdistan Parliament

There are 111 seats in the Assembly (as stipulated in LawNo. 1 passed by the Kurdistan National Assembly (KNA)in 1992). There is also a legal requirement that at least30% of the parliamentarians must be women.The Speakerof the Parliament is Adnan al- Mufti.

Committees

The Kurdistan Parliament has a number of committeeswhich work on the following areas:

• Legal affairs • Finance and economic affairs • Internal affairs • Agriculture and irrigation • General and higher education • Health and social affairs • Culture • Religious endowments and affairs

Functions of the Kurdistan Parliament

• to examine proposals for new laws;• to scrutinise government policy and administration;• to debate the major issues of the day.

Founding principles

The founding principles of the Parliament are liberty,pluralism, accountability, openness and the representationof all peoples in the Kurdistan Region.

By 15 July 1992, the Kurdistan Parliament had promulgatedLaw No. 1, the first law passed by the assembly, establishingit as the Region’s legislature.

Elections

Elections for the Kurdistan Parliament are held at leastevery four calendar years, (as stipulated in Article 8 of theKurdistan Electoral Law).

The last Assembly election was on 30 January 2005, and thenext Assembly election is to be held on 25 July 2009.

Anyone aged 18 or over who is a citizen of the KurdistanRegion and is on the electoral register is eligible to vote ina direct, universal and secret ballot. Elections for theParliament are based on a party-list proportionalrepresentation system. Electors vote for a party’s list ofcandidates, rather than for an individual candidate. Afterthe election results are announced, each party is allocatedseats in proportion to the number of votes it has received,

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• Signif icantly increasing prison sentences for thosecommitting so-called honour killings (offenders werepreviously given minimum sentences.)

Judicial Council

The Judicial Council is the independent judicial authority ofthe Kurdistan Region. The Council is autonomous, withboth administrative and budgetary autonomy. The KRGhas emphasised the need for highly-trained, capableofficials to administer justice transparently, fairly, and withconstant attention to the letter and spirit of the law.

The Judicial Council operates under the leadership of theChief Justice of the highest court in the Kurdistan Region -the Court of Cassation. The Council is responsible forapplying and reviewing new laws, in coordination withcourts throughout the three governorates. The Court ofCassation has the competence to hear judicial appeals.

The recent establishment of the Judicial Council was amajor achievement for the Kurdistan Region. A primaryfocus now will be to provide necessary training andcapacity-building programmes to ensure that this branch ofgovernment can be as effective as possible.

• Transport, communication and municipalities • Industry, energy and minerals • Peshmerga • Human rights • Housing and reconstruction • Women’s rights • Kurdistan Constitution

The Parliament shares legislative power with the federalauthorities in these areas, but priority is given to theKurdistan Parliament laws in the following areas:

• Customs • Electric energy and its distribution • General planning • Internal water resources

In addition, under Article 121 of the Iraqi federalconstitution the Parliament has the right to amend theapplication of Iraq-wide legislation that falls outside of thefederal authorities’ exclusive powers.

Landmark legislation passed by the Kurdistan Parliament

The Parliament has passed several laws that havecontributed to the Region’s social and economic progress.These include:

• Passing a modern and open investment law;

• Passing a progressive hydrocarbons (oil and gas) law forthe Kurdistan Region;



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• Economic and Cultural Section – Embassy Office,Hellenic Republic of Greece

• Honorary Consul, Kingdom of Denmark

• Honorary Consul, Kingdom of Sweden

The Kurdistan Region places a high priority on developingand maintaining ties to foreign governments andinternational bodies within the Constitutional structure ofa Federal Iraq. As of June 2009, the Kurdistan Regionof Iraq hosts 16 consulates and trade offices operating inErbil. The list appears below, beginning with the firstdiplomatic office to open.

• Commercial Section - Embassy Office, Republicof Austria

• Regional Reconstruction Team, United States of America

• Embassy Office, Republic of Korea

• Trade Embassy Liaison Office, Italian Republic

• Embassy Office, United Kingdom of Great Britain andNorthern Ireland

• Consulate General, Federal Republic of Germany

• Trade Embassy Liaison Office, Czech Republic

• Consulate General, Russian Federation

• Consulate General, Islamic Republic of Iran

• Consulate General, Republic of France

• Honorary Consul, Kingdom of the Netherlands

• Honorary Consul, Kingdom of Spain

• Honorary Consul, Japan


Foreign representation inthe Kurdistan Region of Iraq

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“The KRG values its strongrelations with foreigngovernments and internationalfirms. Ensuring that wecontinue to develop andstrengthen friendships is animportant priority.”Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir,Head of the Department of Foreign Relations


Kurdistan Region -an emerging democracy

Another crucial contribution to stability has been theunderstanding that Kurds have a future in Iraq as adistinct nationality. This is enshrined in article 117of the 2005 Iraqi constitution, which recognises the KRGas a principal component of a Federal Iraqi state, withtwo official languages, Arabic and Kurdish.

The Kurdish people have constituted a distinct ethnicgroup in the Middle East for almost two millennia withtheir own language and deeply-rooted cultural traditions.They are proud people with strong traditionsand are an excellent example of self governance indifficult times.

Their history of fierce defiance against overwhelmingodds has been one of struggle and endurance, and onewhich has often evoked the cry over the centuries thatthe Kurds have no friends but the mountains.

Kurdish communities, lived in isolation for much of theirhistory. The people of the Kurdistan Region have takenfull advantage of the freedom and economic opportunityacheived by the 2003 liberation from the previousregime. KRG Officials consider their region as a modelfor the rest of Iraq. It has functioning democraticinstitutions, with secular government and a rapidlyexpanding economy.

Stability has been a result of the smooth functioning ofthe KRG, a reconciliation between the two primaryKurdish political parties, cooperation with theGovernment in Baghdad, improved economic conditionsand minimal foreign interference.

High-ranking Kurds serve in the Federal Government inBaghdad, including - President Jalal Talabani, DeputyPrime Minister Barham Salih and Foreign MinisterHoshyar Zebari.

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The autonomous Kurdistan Region is seen as a model forthe rest of the country with respect to theadministration’s culture of tolerance and commitment togood governance.

The KRG is unwavering in its support for federalismand the Iraqi constitutional process - the best guarantorof safety and security for Kurds and other minorities.

KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani is steadfast in hisgovernment’s commitment to a democratic Iraq that isat peace with its neighbours, and to the development ofan Iraqi state that abides by its constitution, based on afederal model with clearly delineated powers for itsregions. He has stressed that his government’sendeavours will remain within the framework ofKurdistan’s constitutional rights.

The Prime Minister emphasises that a strict compliancewith the country’s constitution is following internationalexamples. “We in the KRG pride ourselves on ourculture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. This is afeature of our success and we hope that all parts of Iraqwill one day be able to assure its people of peace,security and a prosperous future regardless of ethnicityor religion.”


Kurdistan Region -an emerging democracy

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“We in the KRG prideourselves on our culture oftolerance and peacefulcoexistence.This is a feature ofour success and we hope that allparts of Iraq will one day be ableto assure its people of peace,security and a prosperousfuture regardless of ethnicityor religion.”

prevent violence against women by emphasising itscommitment to the rule of law.The KRG believes everyonehas the right to live under a fair, impartial, and equallegal system.

The society of the Kurdistan Region is a bright example forthe rest of the country - a country in which all individualscan live in dignity, with security and universal acceptanceand protection of their ethnic identities and religious rights.This is in accordance with the Constitution of Iraq, whichhas enshrined democracy and plurality as cornerstones forthe well being of Iraqi citizens.

In 1948, the UN General Assembly proclaimed theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights to promoteuniversal rights and freedoms, and stated that the UNwould spare no effort to implement the Articles ofthis Declaration.

However, in the Kurdistan Region’s modern history andafter the proclamation of the Declaration, Kurds weredenied many basic rights and suffered severe human rightsabuses including genocide. This has made the KurdistanRegional Government all the more determined to improve,promote, practice and respect the implementation of thishistoric document.

The people of the Kurdistan Region remember theirpainful history and use it to consolidate and strengthensupport for the protection of human rights, and protectionof the oppressed.

The Kurdistan Regional Government has taken concretesteps to better implement the relevant laws in this areaand to protect the rights of women and children, andhuman rights in general in the Kurdistan Region. Beyondlegislative amendments and the issuance of new laws, theKRG has also tried to include the principles of human rights,a culture of tolerance, and respect for others in itseducation curricula.

The KRG is committed to actively working, through therelevant ministries, to promote gender equality and


Focus on improvinghuman rights

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investor gets a gross profit share after cost recovery ofaround 10-12%.

In addition to overall revenues from oil and gas, localcommunities benefit from the presence of oil and gascompanies. These companies help provide powergeneration, new refineries, skills training, transfer oftechnology and new jobs.The firms also help to build newroads and schools, support local health care institutionsand provide other needed infrastructure projects.

For example, Talisman Energy, a leading Canadian oil andgas company, made a capacity building contribution of$220 million US dollars to the KRG that will be used torebuild critical infrastructure in the vicinity of TalismanEnergy operations.

Increased oil revenues will provide much-needed revenueto all the people of Iraq and serve as a source ofprosperity and stability. The Kurdistan Region has provided a successful example for the rest of Iraq,proving that market-driven policies are crucial in thecountry’s recovery.

The Kurdistan Region has significant proven petroleumand gas reserves which offer considerable benefits to thewhole country. In 2007, the Kurdistan Parliament passedthe Kurdistan Oil and Gas Law, granting the KRG Ministryof Natural Resources the authority to negotiate and agreeto long-term oil contracts. Over 35 companies from20 different countries have signed exploration anddevelopment contracts with the KRG.

Exports of crude oil from the Kurdistan Regioncommenced on 1 June 2009.The export from the fields inTawke (operated by Norway’s DNO) and Taq Taq(operated by Turkey’s Genel Enerji and Canada’s AddaxPetroleum) represents a landmark accomplishment for theKurdistan Region that will bring in much needed revenuesfor the people of Iraq.

The addition of exports from the Kurdistan Regionwill increase Iraq’s total oil exports by 100,000 barrels perday. By the end of 2010 it is expected that oil exportsfrom the Kurdistan Region alone will reach 450,000barrels per day.

Creating a commercial and legal environment andproviding logistic support in order to maximize the benefitof oil and gas resources is an essential task of the KRG andthe Federal Government.

Oil and gas companies that sign agreements with the KRGare rewarded for spending less and achieving more. The


Developing the region’senergy potential

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• Foreign investors and capital are treated on an equalfooting with national investors and capital.

• KRG will provide services (water, electricity, sewage,public road, telecommunications, etc.) to the boundary ofthe project.

• Import of raw materials for production is tax exemptfrom custom duties for five years.

• Additional incentives for projects in “less developedareas” and “joint projects” between Kurds and foreigners.

• Foreign and/or domestic insurance of project allowed.

• Supremacy of Kurdistan Law (Art. 115 of Iraq’sConstitution): “If there is any contradiction (between thislaw and “other relevant laws”), the provision of this lawshall be applicable.”


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• Total ownership of project land is allowed, thoughinvestors may not own land containing oil, gas ormineral resources.

• Does not explicitly prohibit investment in these areas,but the Supreme Council for Investments may allowinvestment in any sector it chooses other than thoseexplicitly listed in the law’s categories (eg. hotels,transportation and services).

• Full repatriation of project investment and profitsare allowed.

• Project income is tax exempt for ten years from dateproduction commences or offer of services; no provisionfor extension of income tax exemption.

• Import of spare parts is tax exempt up to 15% ofproject costs.

• Hotels, hospitals, universities, schools and touristinstitutions are granted tax-exempt import of linens,carpets, furniture and other renovation items everythree years.

• Employment of foreign workers is allowed, providedno capable Iraqis available; foreign workers mayrepatriate earnings.

• Vehicles, equipment, instruments, etc. are tax exemptfrom duties, taxes and import licenses, provided they areimported within two years of approval granted byInvestment Commission Chairman.

Kurdistan RegionInvestment Law

Signs of success are clearly visible. In Erbil, three-quarters ofthe buildings in the city are new or recently renovated, suchas hotels, residences, offices and government buildings.Theyhave transformed the city into a vibrant commercial centre.

Some $2 billion US dollars of construction work alone hasbeen carried out from 2003 to 2007. Around 1,200companies have been active in building and renovatingairports, roads, schools and universities.

The Government has established the Kurdistan RegionInvestment Board to provide support for firms participatingin the reconstruction of the Region.

Under-utilised land resources are also available for thedevelopment of agriculture and agro-industries. The KRGregion has substantial reserves of copper and gold andother exploitable minerals, enough to elicit the attention ofUK/Australian resources giant Rio Tinto.

The Kurdistan Region is being used as a launching pad byseveral investors and firms. By creating an operational basein the Region, they are well placed to expand to the rest ofIraq when security conditions permit. Non-Kurdish Iraqiinvestors enjoy the security of the Region as they establishtheir business operations

The Kurdistan Regional Government has continued to be aregional business leader, largely due to its commitment to aclassic Singapore-style open investment climate.

The KRG passed a generous investment law in 2006 thatexempts foreign companies from tax and import duties for10 years and allows them to repatriate their profits, bring intheir own workers and own land.This is in contrast with therest of Iraq, where land can only be leased.

The business-friendly environment is proving highlysuccessful, attracting entrepreneurs who can sense long-term potential. According to the Kurdistan Region Board ofInvestment, private sector investments in a wide range ofsectors throughout the Kurdistan Region now total morethan $16 billion US dollars.

Growth forecasts of the Region’s economy have stimulatedincreased interest. Stability, security and governmentalsupport for investors through tax relief and otherincentives have further catalyzed commercial activity.

The development of banking and financial services,executive grade accommodation and the new ErbilInternational Airport are further encouragement to theestablishment of new businesses and support services.

An $85 million US dollar housing complex known as EnglishVillage has been completed in Erbil. Many internationalcompanies working in the KRG have located offices thereand other similar projects are coming to fruition.


Tremendous investmentopportunities beckon

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Tremendous investmentopportunities beckon

five-star property. The hotel management team is veryexcited about the opportunity.”

The first stage of Dubai real estate developer Bonyan’sSuleimaniah City development is expected to start nextyear. The mega real estate project comprising residentialand commercial towers, villas, shopping malls and twohotels will be developed over an area of one millionsquare metres.

Bonyan also has plans for additional projects in the Regionand is examining further investment opportunities in Erbiland Dohuk.

The British company Anglo-Kurdistan is set up to exploitenergy projects and also plans to build 25,000 housesacross the Suleimaniah governorate.

Throughout the Region there is evidence of acceleratingeconomic growth and development. Vast potential andvaluable opportunities for investors remain. Companiescan depend on a favourable business environment and will be supported by a government dedicated to therenovation of infrastructure, expansion of business andindustry, the creation of an environment conducive toenterprise and entrepreneurship.

Herish Muharam Mohammed, Head of Kurdistan’sInvestment Board advises companies to make a base inthe KRG area and then invest in the rest of Iraq. More thanhalf of the 5,000 companies registered in the region arenon-Iraqi.

KRG officials maintain that the terms of their investmentlaw have been accepted by the Federal Government.Hayder Mustafa Saaid, Director General of the KRG Boardof Investment, “according to the federal Constitution, theRegion has the right to make its own laws - so long as theydo not contradict Iraqi national laws. The InvestmentBoard enjoys a friendly relationship with the SupremeInvestment Board of Iraq.”

The Kurdistan Region has witnessed phenomenalexpansion and rejuvenation as a result of rising Iraqi andforeign private sector investment, notably from Turkey aswell as from Lebanon and the Gulf States.

There is increasing interest as the Kurdistan Regionbecomes a focus of international investment. France,Germany, Iran and the Russian Federation have allestablished full consulates in Erbil. Several other countrieshave representation in the Region and the diplomaticpresence in the Region continues to increase.

The Grand Rotana and Le Royale hotel developments inErbil are among the prestigious projects currently under-way. The CEO of Rotana Hotel “the company is proudto have been chosen to manage the spectacular new

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The KRG is therefore collaborating with the United NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)to draw up a comprehensive database of archaeologicalremains in the Region.

The KRG has invested in upgrading the quality of city lifethroughout the Region, particularly by allocating land forparks and athletic fields. For example Sami Abdulrahman Park,named after the late Kurdish politician Sam Abdulrahman, is asprawling oasis of trees and flowers situated across the streetfrom the Parliament and Council of Ministers.

Scenic and leisure tourism is also on the agenda. HajOmaran can be developed into a ski resort. Gali Ali Bag isthe highest waterfall in the Middle East. Lebanon’s KhatibandAlami engineering consultancy has already prepared amasterplan to develop the 20-square kilometre Mount Sefinarea near Shaqlawa and is looking for developers to helpcreate the resort.

The KRG realises that the hospitality industry is a sector thatcarries tremendous potential for economic development.So far the Board of Investment has granted licences to some34 visitor related projects with a potential value of $6.8billion US dollars.

With its rich and varied heritage of ancient sites andspectacular scenery, the Kurdistan Regional Government iseager to scale-up the capacity of its tourism sector.

The rugged mountains that make up much of the Regionare already a popular destination for Iraqis seeking to escapethe intense summer heat. Thousands of Iraqis travellednorth to the Kurdistan Region for vacation last summer.

The aim now is to also accomodate a wider range ofinternational visitors apart from those travelling to theRegion for business purposes. Stability and improvedinfrastructure have led American, British and Frenchcompanies to begin organising and promoting tours to theKurdistan Region.

Some of the most important areas for development includethe region’s archaeological sites, including Babylonian eraruins as well as rare forms of Islamic architecture and earlyChristian churches.

The footprints of history are everywhere to be found.Archaeologists believe that the Citadel of Erbil is the longestcontinually inhabited place on earth. It is a unique,living piece of history in the heart of the city. Outside ofErbil is the site of the famous battle, Gaugamela, foughtbetween Alexander the Great of Macedonia and KingDarius of Persia.

Many civilisations have come here and left their mark on theregion.The KRG is working to identify these sites and makethem more accessible and attractive to visitors.


Tourism potential:domestic, cultural, heritageand adventure tourism

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Tourism potential:domestic, cultural, heritageand adventure tourism

Tourism Minister Nimrud Baito Youkhana believes thatrebuilding roads and securing electricity supplies must be thepriority in order to facilitate more investments. He isconfident that tourism will be a mainstream priority withinfour to five years.

Air Travel to and from the Kurdistan Region

• A new airport in Erbil is expected to open by the end of2009, capable of handling 2.75 million passengers per year

• The new runway will be the fifth longest in the world andbe able to accomodate long-range wide body airliners suchas the A380

Austrian Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Iraqi Airways, Atlas Jet andnumerous charter airlines connect Erbil and Suleimaniah tolocations throughout the Region and the world.

To find more information regarding Erbil or Suleimaniahairports, visit:

www.sulairport.com www.erbilairport.net

Conventions and Conferences in the Kurdistan Region

• The Kurdistan Region has many facilities for hostinginternational conferences and conventions

• The Martyr Saad Palace for Conferences and Meetingsin Erbil has over 200,00 squares metres of space, equippedwith state-of-the art facilities

• A new conference centre in Suleimaniah is expected toopen soon

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To find more information regarding conference centres, visit:

www.saadpalace.com www.sulygov.com

Other important dates

1 March:Commemoration of Mustafa Barzani’s Death (1979)

8 March:Women's Day

16 March:Halabja Day, commemoration of chemical weaponsbombardment of Halabja (1988)

20 March:Liberation of Kirkuk City (1991)

1 April:Assyrian New Year

14 April:Commemoration of Anfal genocide against the Kurds (1988)

14 July:Republic Day – End of Iraqi monarchy (1958)

3 October:Iraqi Independence Day – independence from Britishrule (1932)

Ministries and government offices are closed. Businesses mayalso be closed.

1 January:International New Year’s Day

6 January:Iraqi Army Day

5 March:Uprising Day (Liberation of Ranya City)

11 March:Commemoration of the Autonomy Agreement of 1970

14 March:Mullah Mustafa Barzani’s Birthday

21 - 23 March:Newroz - Kurdish New Year

9 April:Baghdad Liberation Day (fall of Ba’ath regime)

1 May:Labour Day

Eid-al-Fitr (end of Holy month of Ramadan) *

Eid al-Adha Feast (Islamic New Year) *

Ashura (Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday)*

Al-Arbaeyniat al Hussein (commemoration of the deathof Hussein)*

* These holidays follow the Muslim calendar


National Holidaysobserved by KRGCouncil of Ministers

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General information about travelling tothe Kurdistan Region

Please see the Travel Fact Sheet on www.krg.org, whichincludes information about flights, hotels, travel insurance,organised tour operators, overland entry, assistance forjournalists, and sights of interest.

Doing business in the Kurdistan Region

Please see the Doing Business in the Kurdistan Region FactSheet on the government website, www.krg.org, forinformation about the Kurdistan chambers of commerce,applying for investment licences, registering a company ora branch, organised trade missions to the KurdistanRegion, and trade exhibitions.

Currency

The local currency is the Iraqi Dinar.The Kurdistan Regionas well as the rest of Iraq is still very much a cash society.Credit cards are hardly ever accepted, and there are

Security

The security situation in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq isvery different from the rest of Iraq.There are only some200 US soldiers stationed in the Kurdistan Region and nota single coalition soldier has been killed in the Region sincethe start of the 2003 conflict.

The official Regional guard, the Peshmerga forces, arehighly trained and experienced in providing security. Tomaintain the level of peace in the Kurdistan Region, thereare checkpoints on the borders and city perimeters.

Some visitors use private foreign or local security firms,some prefer to be accompanied only by their localcontacts, and some prefer to use taxis and walk.

Separate advice must be sought for travel outside of theKurdistan Region.

Flights to the Kurdistan Region in Iraq

International and domestic flights operate to and fromErbil International Airport and Suleimaniah InternationalAirport. Most flights operating from Europe and theMiddle East fly directly to the Kurdistan Region, withouttravelling via Baghdad. In addition to flights from Vienna toErbil operated by Austrian Airlines, several charteroperators also fly to the Region. Regular direct flights toand from Dubai, Istanbul, Amman, Beirut, and Viennacurrently guarantee easy access to the Kurdistan Region.


Practical informationfor visitors to theKurdistan Region

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Dress

Kurds tend to dress smartly and conservatively, and it isadvisable for visitors to do the same. Skirts should fallbelow the knee and shoulders should be covered, andsuits or smart dress should be worn at business meetings.There is no need for women to wear headscarves, andmany Kurdish women do not. Men are advised not towear shorts or vests.

almost no ATMs. Please bring enough cash to cover yourexpenses. US Dollars are accepted in most places, and canbe converted into Iraqi Dinars at most hotels.

Internet connection and mobile phones

Many hotels in the Kurdistan Region offer internetconnection in the rooms and/or in their business centres,and a few also offer wireless.

Several local Internet service providers offer internetconnection to offices and homes for a monthly fee. Thespeed is slower than normally experienced, butconnections are fairly reliable.

As many international mobile operators have roamingagreements with Kurdistan Region’s operators, foreignmobile phones work. Please check with your mobileoperator for call and text charges. It is advisable to buy alocal SIM card (if you wish to save on local call charges)and insert it into an unlocked handset, and buy mobilecredit top-up cards.

Social and working customs

Greetings and farewells are important rituals for people inthe Region, and are carried out formally. It is expected forindividuals to take time to introduce themselves andexchange pleasantries, and at the end of a meeting taketime to say farewell and shake hands.


Practical informationfor visitors to theKurdistan Region

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welcome to the kurdistan region of iraq · e dukon and sur rounds. welcome to the kurdistan region...

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