http://basnews.com/en/News/Details/...vest-in-Kurdistan-Region/23124.British Companies and Banks to Invest in Kurdistan Region
13.06.2014
Shwan Barzinji
BasNews, Erbil
A number of British companies and banks are planning to invest business and money in the Kurdistan Region. There are also preparations underway to open a direct flight between Kurdistan and Britain.
Kurdish delegates traveled to London at the end of May following a formal invitation from British officials. The delegates, who included many Kurdish officials, were led by Kurdish PM Nechirvan Barzani. The Minister of Housing and Reconstruction, Kamaran Ahmed, told BasNews that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has signed important economic agreements with Britain.
Ahmed mentioned that many of the British companies interested in coming to Kurdistan specialize in investment and banking. Britain officials also met with the Kurdish Minister of Natural Resources Ashti Hawrami to discuss oil affairs.
Ahmed believes that European countries like the United Kingdom are paying closer attention to the Kurdistan Region due to the important role their economy is beginning to play in Europe. “The stability and economic development of the Kurdistan Region are important for Britain. They want to form strong economic ties because of oil and other factors,” said Minister Ahmed.
He noted that both sides have happily agreed on opening direct flights between Britain and the Kurdistan Region. Few preparations are left before the flights can begin.
British officials are also planning to carry out a massive housing project to build homes for lower-income families, Ahmed said. The project will begin after the new Kurdish cabinet has been formed and it can be signed by the new Kurdish minister.
“British banks have decided to begin widening the banking system here in Kurdistan. They want to offer more services and possibly open branches of their banks here,” added Ahmed.
When asked about Britain’s relation with the Kurdistan Region, Minister Kamaran Ahmed stressed that: “we feel they are ready to have better and direct relations with the Kurdistan Region. They have told us that Britain respects all the decisions the KRG has made, and they respect the decisions the KRG will make in the future. Their delegates were high officials, and for a country like Britain, it means a lot for the Kurdistan Region to strengthen our relationship.”