Russian Consulate Opens in Kurdistan
A consulate of the Russian Federation opened yesterday in Erbil, the administrative center of Iraqi Kurdistan, where, unlike the rest of the country, the government is in full control. The Russian consulate joins those of Iran, Great Britain and South Korea, and others will open soon in the rapidly developing city. “We were ready to open last year, but several insignificant situations prevented us,” Russian Ambassador to Iraq Vladimir Chamov said. The search for premises was one of those problems. The Russian general consul in Erbil is Vagif Garaev. The necessary equipment to issue visas should be installed at the consul at the beginning of the year.
Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Nechirvan Barzani said at the opening of the consulate that “Support from abroad is extremely important to us now to restore the economy and create new industries.” Kurdistan, the three northern provinces of Iraq, is probably the safest part of Iraq now. There are direct flights between Erbil and Stockholm, Frankfurt, Amman, Istanbul and Dubai. A Moscow-Erbil flight is also planned. More than 2000 foreign companies operate in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Oil is driving the regional economy. About 20 companies have reached agreements with the regional authorities on oil production. A subsidiary of Alfa Group will begin geological exploration in the area next year. Agricultural enterprises are also emerging in the region and a construction boom is in full swing as more and more Iraqis come, looking for a peaceful life. The cost of housing has risen by ten times in the last ten years as a result, and there is still a housing shortage.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 29, 2007
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