KURDISTANKURDISTAN

The land of KurdsThe land of Kurds

When & Why the Division?When & Why the Division?• Kurds have been living in Kurdistan from as early as 2400 Kurds have been living in Kurdistan from as early as 2400

B .C. The first Kurdish empire was known as the Media B .C. The first Kurdish empire was known as the Media Empire (900-500 B.C.). Empire (900-500 B.C.).

• Due to geographical, dialectic and feudal factors, Due to geographical, dialectic and feudal factors, Kurdistan was then divided into number of Kingdoms Kurdistan was then divided into number of Kingdoms each ruled by a tribe.each ruled by a tribe.

• Kurdistan was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century Kurdistan was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century and converted into Islam.and converted into Islam.

• While being a part of the Islamic Empire, the Kingdoms While being a part of the Islamic Empire, the Kingdoms kept their independence.kept their independence.

• Historically the Kurds lived on this area four thousands of Historically the Kurds lived on this area four thousands of years and they were famous when it comes to plantation years and they were famous when it comes to plantation and animal breeding Kurdistan is well known for it’s rich and animal breeding Kurdistan is well known for it’s rich agriculture and natural resources the excavations agriculture and natural resources the excavations showed that Kurdistan people were the first who showed that Kurdistan people were the first who practiced agriculture in a village called practiced agriculture in a village called jermojermo where the where the remains of wheat and barley crops cultivation had been remains of wheat and barley crops cultivation had been found.found.

When & Why the When & Why the Division?Division?

After the collapse of After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire the Ottoman Empire following the World following the World War I, the Kurds were War I, the Kurds were promised to gain an promised to gain an independent state independent state according the Treaty according the Treaty of Sevre 1920; yet of Sevre 1920; yet this part of the Treaty this part of the Treaty has not been ratified. has not been ratified.

Even the Treaty of Even the Treaty of Lausanne (1923) Lausanne (1923) didn’t mentioned the didn’t mentioned the right of kurds to have right of kurds to have an independent state. an independent state.

Consequences of the Consequences of the DivisionDivision

The issue of Kurdish autonomy was a The issue of Kurdish autonomy was a source of conflict and political source of conflict and political instability in those countries with instability in those countries with large Kurdish communities. large Kurdish communities.

Continuous RevoltsContinuous Revolts Declaration of the Republic of Declaration of the Republic of

Kurdistan in 1945 in Iran which Kurdistan in 1945 in Iran which lasted for 11 monthslasted for 11 months

Uprising in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1991.Uprising in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1991.

Geography & Geography & WeatherWeatherGeography

• Kurdistan is almost mountainous green region.

• Watershed of many rivers and lakes.

Weather• Climate varies:

Summer: Hot and dry winter: cold, rainy, and snow

PopulationPopulation

Kurdistan of Turkey : about 23 to 25 Kurdistan of Turkey : about 23 to 25 millions.millions.

Kurdistan of Iran : about 9 millionsKurdistan of Iran : about 9 millions Iraqi Kurdistan: about 7 millionsIraqi Kurdistan: about 7 millions Kurdistan of Syria : 2 millions. Kurdistan of Syria : 2 millions. About 2 millions in Georgia, Armenia, About 2 millions in Georgia, Armenia,

Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. TotalTotal: 40 to 45 millions. : 40 to 45 millions.

LanguageLanguage The Kurdish The Kurdish language language belongs to belongs to Indo-European Indo-European language , language , close to close to Persian and Persian and Romanian Romanian languages. It is languages. It is fundamentally fundamentally different from different from Arabic and Arabic and Turkish .Turkish .

ReligionReligion The Kurds are mostly Sunni The Kurds are mostly Sunni

Muslims and few Shi’as, Muslims and few Shi’as, Christians, Jews, Yezedians. Christians, Jews, Yezedians.

Kurdistan FlagKurdistan Flag

Iraqi Kurdistan Iraqi Kurdistan Under Under

Saddam’s RegimeSaddam’s Regime During the decade of During the decade of

1980, Saddam 1980, Saddam massacred about 182000 massacred about 182000 Kurds through an ethnic Kurds through an ethnic campaign policy called campaign policy called Anfal and (8000) civil Anfal and (8000) civil Barzanian.Barzanian.

In 1988, Halabja (the In 1988, Halabja (the Kurdish city )was Kurdish city )was attacked by Ba’ath’s attacked by Ba’ath’s regime with chemical regime with chemical weapons and 5000 civil weapons and 5000 civil innocent people were innocent people were killed . killed .

Iraqi KurdistanIraqi Kurdistan Since 1991, the three Since 1991, the three

Northern cities Northern cities Hawler, Sulemani Hawler, Sulemani and Duhok have been and Duhok have been under the control of under the control of the Kurds the Kurds themselves.themselves.

After free elections, After free elections, the first Kurdish the first Kurdish Parliament was Parliament was established which established which proposed Iraq to be a proposed Iraq to be a Federal Country. Federal Country.

Iraqi LiberationIraqi Liberation

Iraqi Kurds Iraqi Kurds welcomed the welcomed the American American forces to land forces to land in their region in their region after they were after they were not allowed by not allowed by Turkey. Turkey.

Peshmerga Peshmerga took part in took part in Iraq liberation. Iraq liberation.

Kurdish police and Kurdish Kurdish police and Kurdish Army (Peshmarga) are Army (Peshmarga) are keeping the security of the keeping the security of the region.region.

KurdistanKurdistan

Iraqi President Iraqi President

Now, Jalal Now, Jalal Talabani, a Talabani, a Kurd leader , Kurd leader , is the is the President of President of Iraq. Iraq.

Kurdistan region Kurdistan region

Iraqi Kurdistan PresidentIraqi Kurdistan President

MASUD BARZANIMASUD BARZANI

The Big Dream isThe Big Dream is

ONE INDEPENDENT KURDISTANONE INDEPENDENT KURDISTAN

Iraqi KurdistanIraqi Kurdistan

Iraqi Kurdistan can be the pioneer.Iraqi Kurdistan can be the pioneer.

Now a days, the Iraqi Kurdistan is a good Now a days, the Iraqi Kurdistan is a good pattern of Democracy, strong Government pattern of Democracy, strong Government institutions and Freedom in the middle institutions and Freedom in the middle east. Try to make a tour in the Region and east. Try to make a tour in the Region and you will see different aspects of modern you will see different aspects of modern life, high buildings, bridges, hotels, modern life, high buildings, bridges, hotels, modern super markets, international airports, and super markets, international airports, and many other public services which are under many other public services which are under construction. Here, we might not forget the construction. Here, we might not forget the role of Zaytoon Division in rebuilding our role of Zaytoon Division in rebuilding our Region and keeping the area secured and Region and keeping the area secured and stable as much as possible.stable as much as possible.

"Indeed, almost all ordinary "Indeed, almost all ordinary Kurds would like to see Kurds would like to see complete independence.” complete independence.” However "They don't want to However "They don't want to bite off more than they can bite off more than they can chew.” Specifically, the chew.” Specifically, the Kurdish leadership would like Kurdish leadership would like to avoid antagonizing the to avoid antagonizing the Americans, who have been Americans, who have been their allies.their allies.

The Industry in The Industry in Kurdistan:Kurdistan:

The experts of Ministry of Industry have begun The experts of Ministry of Industry have begun to prepare the five year Industrial Strategic to prepare the five year Industrial Strategic Plan for Kurdistan region.Plan for Kurdistan region.

According to the last available statistics, the According to the last available statistics, the population of Erbil Governorate is estimated population of Erbil Governorate is estimated around 4000,000 and the percentage of around 4000,000 and the percentage of population of 16-60 years is around 58%.population of 16-60 years is around 58%.

About 1000,000 are employment25%,while About 1000,000 are employment25%,while 34% of population are students or employers 34% of population are students or employers in private sectors.in private sectors.

Total numbers of issued industrial plants and Total numbers of issued industrial plants and factories are about 2500 and there are near to factories are about 2500 and there are near to 20000 industrial employees. In other words, 20000 industrial employees. In other words, the total percentage of industrial employees the total percentage of industrial employees is within 2% of total employment.is within 2% of total employment.

Ministry of Industry has a main role Ministry of Industry has a main role and responsibility to develop and responsibility to develop industry beginning to prepare an industry beginning to prepare an industrial plan to solve recent and industrial plan to solve recent and future problems.future problems.

They‘ve collected the necessary data They‘ve collected the necessary data and clarified recent statue of region and clarified recent statue of region Industries and identified some Industries and identified some principles , goals , also obstacles principles , goals , also obstacles and suggestions . This report is and suggestions . This report is describing some of their approach.describing some of their approach.

1. Installation of new industrial plants in 15 sectors 1. Installation of new industrial plants in 15 sectors with regard to existing possibilities, abilities and local with regard to existing possibilities, abilities and local resources. resources.

2. To supply 50% of necessary foods by establishing of 2. To supply 50% of necessary foods by establishing of Agro-Industries and coordinating with Agriculture Agro-Industries and coordinating with Agriculture Ministry to produce strategic agricultural products by Ministry to produce strategic agricultural products by training and supporting of the farmers.training and supporting of the farmers.

3. To supply 70% of home and office furniture by 3. To supply 70% of home and office furniture by establishing of new plants by private sector and establishing of new plants by private sector and assisting them to improve their ability and assisting them to improve their ability and technology.technology.

4. To supply 80% of building materials by establishing 4. To supply 80% of building materials by establishing necessary plants by private sector and’ natural necessary plants by private sector and’ natural resources Ministry’ to explore and identify the new resources Ministry’ to explore and identify the new mineral resources.mineral resources.

5. To supply 3500 new jobs especially for women in 5. To supply 3500 new jobs especially for women in handicrafts active facilities through training and handicrafts active facilities through training and financial supports.financial supports.

6. To establish several Industrial zones. 6. To establish several Industrial zones. To support foreign & local investors MOI corporate To support foreign & local investors MOI corporate

and deal with projects & activities according to the and deal with projects & activities according to the law of investment no 4 of 2006 .law of investment no 4 of 2006 .

Kurdish Kurdish children'schildren's

The Agriculture of The Agriculture of Kurdistan:Kurdistan: The climate is considered to be mild and the rain system is The climate is considered to be mild and the rain system is

very much effected by the Mediterranean sea that divide very much effected by the Mediterranean sea that divide the whole region into three levels of raining that ranges the whole region into three levels of raining that ranges from 250 – 1200mm. from 250 – 1200mm.

The majority of the Kurds are depending on agriculture. The majority of the Kurds are depending on agriculture. There was a war of genocide inflicted upon them where There was a war of genocide inflicted upon them where hundreds of thousands were exterminated, they were hundreds of thousands were exterminated, they were deported and forced to immigration. In 1988, with the deported and forced to immigration. In 1988, with the "Anfal" unjustified operations by the government in "Anfal" unjustified operations by the government in Baghdad, over 4800 Kurdish villages were leveled to the Baghdad, over 4800 Kurdish villages were leveled to the ground and destroyed forcing its people to flee, Also nature ground and destroyed forcing its people to flee, Also nature had its share of exploitation and destruction. Water had its share of exploitation and destruction. Water resources and rives were ruined or damaged. Forests were resources and rives were ruined or damaged. Forests were burned and gracing lands were totally destroyed along with burned and gracing lands were totally destroyed along with agriculture areas. As if this was not enough, millions of agriculture areas. As if this was not enough, millions of landmines were planted instead, these mines are still landmines were planted instead, these mines are still constitute danger to this very day. After the second Gulf constitute danger to this very day. After the second Gulf war march 1991 and the rebellion of the people in war march 1991 and the rebellion of the people in Kurdistan, plans were drawn to take people back to their Kurdistan, plans were drawn to take people back to their villages and rebuilt life their. Projects were laid out and villages and rebuilt life their. Projects were laid out and even today the program of encouraging farmers to return to even today the program of encouraging farmers to return to their villages is going ahead.their villages is going ahead.  

Today the strategy of MOA/KRG is as follows:Today the strategy of MOA/KRG is as follows:  1- The major concerns of MOA are the transition from relief, 1- The major concerns of MOA are the transition from relief,

rehabilitation and reconstruction to sustainable agricultural rehabilitation and reconstruction to sustainable agricultural development.development.

2- Insuring food security for the people through increasing 2- Insuring food security for the people through increasing agricultural and animal Products using up-to-date methodsagricultural and animal Products using up-to-date methods

3- Give full support to private investors and encourage them to 3- Give full support to private investors and encourage them to participate in establishing factories and other production participate in establishing factories and other production centers. .centers. .

4- Activate the Agriculture bank and offer finance to peasants and 4- Activate the Agriculture bank and offer finance to peasants and farmers to increase their income.farmers to increase their income.

5- Make complete and full use of agricultural land with emphasizing 5- Make complete and full use of agricultural land with emphasizing on obtaining Good quality in every field. Purchase agricultural on obtaining Good quality in every field. Purchase agricultural crops and animal product from      the farmers, and establishing crops and animal product from      the farmers, and establishing storages and silos.storages and silos.

6- Encouraging the people to return to their villages and their places 6- Encouraging the people to return to their villages and their places of origin. This will demand regional and international support, of origin. This will demand regional and international support, especially organizations that work in agricultural fields.especially organizations that work in agricultural fields.

7- Open seminars and training centers to educate farmers on both 7- Open seminars and training centers to educate farmers on both local and international levels to help them enlarge their local and international levels to help them enlarge their capabilities and allow them to have sort of skills on agricultural capabilities and allow them to have sort of skills on agricultural matters.matters.

8- Adoption of advanced technologies, new cultivation methods…8- Adoption of advanced technologies, new cultivation methods…9- Enhance marketing system9- Enhance marketing system10- Efforts to catch up with the rest of the world and to open doors 10- Efforts to catch up with the rest of the world and to open doors

with developed counterparts and companieswith developed counterparts and companies11- Reduction of rural poverty.11- Reduction of rural poverty.

Tourism of Kurdistan: Tourism of Kurdistan: the attractive weather of the region in all seasons, the attractive weather of the region in all seasons,

varying environment and a treasure consisting of varying environment and a treasure consisting of woods, water and mountains, the authorities know that woods, water and mountains, the authorities know that the fantastic nature is not enough to attract the fantastic nature is not enough to attract tourists ,but there should be availability of tourist tourists ,but there should be availability of tourist services , travel facilities, banking services, and services , travel facilities, banking services, and security; therefore, we try seriously to renew these security; therefore, we try seriously to renew these facilities and polarizing foreign to develop the tourist facilities and polarizing foreign to develop the tourist foundations in accordance with the set goals to convert foundations in accordance with the set goals to convert this sector to a main source of our budget. In addition this sector to a main source of our budget. In addition to the provision of all natural tourist requirements, we to the provision of all natural tourist requirements, we have to concentrate on the provision of security in a have to concentrate on the provision of security in a country where the people are well known of their good country where the people are well known of their good hospitality which is part of the Kurds daily life who are hospitality which is part of the Kurds daily life who are very pleased to have visitors.very pleased to have visitors.

Tourism has been selected as the most important one Tourism has been selected as the most important one to compensate the shortage of the petroleum fortune. to compensate the shortage of the petroleum fortune. Economy decision makers of Kurdistan were aware of Economy decision makers of Kurdistan were aware of the importance of their country which is the cradle of the importance of their country which is the cradle of ancient civilizations and junction of various religions ancient civilizations and junction of various religions and cultures. Hence, it has been realized that tourism and cultures. Hence, it has been realized that tourism is our everlasting treasure not the petrol which is is our everlasting treasure not the petrol which is obsolescence. obsolescence.

To reach the set goals, the government has set a new To reach the set goals, the government has set a new vision based on three points :vision based on three points :

1- Tourism could be one of the basic pillars of the 1- Tourism could be one of the basic pillars of the economy.economy.

2- Tourism should be a bridge between civilizations 2- Tourism should be a bridge between civilizations and a means of dialogue and communication with and a means of dialogue and communication with the world.the world.

3- Tourism could be a means of regional development.3- Tourism could be a means of regional development.The ministry also studies the wishes of the investors The ministry also studies the wishes of the investors

and tries to improve investment formulas, and and tries to improve investment formulas, and provide additional facilities in the areas of tourism provide additional facilities in the areas of tourism attraction through providing integral tourist areas attraction through providing integral tourist areas and lands ready for investment in all provinces of and lands ready for investment in all provinces of the region.the region.

The trade of Kurdistan:The trade of Kurdistan: The ministry of trade has been established by the new The ministry of trade has been established by the new

cabinet in the mid of the year 2006. the decision is cabinet in the mid of the year 2006. the decision is made after the reaching to the satisfaction of the made after the reaching to the satisfaction of the necessity establishing the trade ministry.necessity establishing the trade ministry.

In the ministry of trade many huge and important In the ministry of trade many huge and important tasks as following:tasks as following:

1- Facilitating the internal and external commercial 1- Facilitating the internal and external commercial activities.activities.

2- supporting the private and mixed sector.2- supporting the private and mixed sector.3- supporting the foreign & local investment.3- supporting the foreign & local investment.4- Participating in the activities that give benefits to the 4- Participating in the activities that give benefits to the

transparency to promote the experiences and transparency to promote the experiences and qualifications of the people.qualifications of the people.

5- Cooperation with foreign commercial delegations and 5- Cooperation with foreign commercial delegations and trade representatives of the neighbor and the other trade representatives of the neighbor and the other countries in the region to reach to the best mutual countries in the region to reach to the best mutual understanding in future. understanding in future.

There are wide-scale projects in various fields There are wide-scale projects in various fields and wide spread in the Kurdish cities. Some of and wide spread in the Kurdish cities. Some of them are going to be finished in near future and them are going to be finished in near future and others will begin at soon after they have been others will begin at soon after they have been put into the range of the investment strategic put into the range of the investment strategic projects. The enterprises in Erbil alone are projects. The enterprises in Erbil alone are more than 170 commercial projects (smalls & more than 170 commercial projects (smalls & medium size) the case is same in Suleimaniya & medium size) the case is same in Suleimaniya & Duhok.Duhok.

Regarding trade there is brisk consumer Regarding trade there is brisk consumer market in the region; following is a small market in the region; following is a small importing movement.importing movement.

The investment in The investment in KurdistanKurdistan

Basically depending upon the existence and Basically depending upon the existence and availability of the investment members and availability of the investment members and presence of high security living levels in Kurdistan presence of high security living levels in Kurdistan region a law for Investment No.4 on 2006 with a region a law for Investment No.4 on 2006 with a board of investment has been established .The law board of investment has been established .The law deals with foreign investors as locals . deals with foreign investors as locals .

In the law , the following facilities are issued :-In the law , the following facilities are issued :- Land preparation .Land preparation . Taxes & custom fees exception .Taxes & custom fees exception . Insuring infra structure facilities to the project Insuring infra structure facilities to the project

boundary.boundary. Foreign investor free to transfer capital anywhere .Foreign investor free to transfer capital anywhere .

Thank youThank you