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Scottish firms encouraged to help rebuild oil-rich Iraq.
30 Jun 2011
MINISTERS from Kurdistan want Scottish firms to help with efforts to rebuild the economy of the oil rich region of strife-torn Iraq.
Members of the government of the autonomous region held a briefing in Edinburgh that was attended by executives from leading Scottish businesses including Cairn Energy.
The official delegation included Sinan Çelebi, the Minister for Trade & Industry, who said Kurdistan wanted to attract Scottish expertise to help the region as it tries to overcome the troubled legacy left by Iraq’s former President Saddam Hussein.
“We have inherited almost nothing from Saddam’s government except killing and destruction. Now it’s time for building,” Mr Celebi said.
Mr Celebi was keen to allay any concerns that Scottish firms might have about doing business in an area that remains part of Iraq.
“They think the region is in a troubled area but in fact it is one of the safest places in the Middle East,” said Mr Celebi.
Moves to develop the oil and gas industry in the country could create huge opportunities for Scottish firms. Kurdistan has the fourth-biggest reserves of petroleum in the world.
Mr Celebi said Kurdistan wants to build a broad-based economy meaning there will be opportunities for firms and organisations in a range of areas.
“Industry-wise we need everything,” he said.
Samir Abdullah Mustafa, the Minister for Municipalities & Tourism, said the country would need help developing its tourism industry.
There will be huge demand for university level education. Other priority areas include financial services and infrastructure.
The Kurdistan Regional Government has control over many areas but taxation and foreign affairs are the domain of the Iraqi administration in Baghdad.
Cairn Energy previously indicated its interest in the region. It was selected by the authorities to bid for licences in Iraq in 2009 but did not do so.
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30 Jun 2011
MINISTERS from Kurdistan want Scottish firms to help with efforts to rebuild the economy of the oil rich region of strife-torn Iraq.
Members of the government of the autonomous region held a briefing in Edinburgh that was attended by executives from leading Scottish businesses including Cairn Energy.
The official delegation included Sinan Çelebi, the Minister for Trade & Industry, who said Kurdistan wanted to attract Scottish expertise to help the region as it tries to overcome the troubled legacy left by Iraq’s former President Saddam Hussein.
“We have inherited almost nothing from Saddam’s government except killing and destruction. Now it’s time for building,” Mr Celebi said.
Mr Celebi was keen to allay any concerns that Scottish firms might have about doing business in an area that remains part of Iraq.
“They think the region is in a troubled area but in fact it is one of the safest places in the Middle East,” said Mr Celebi.
Moves to develop the oil and gas industry in the country could create huge opportunities for Scottish firms. Kurdistan has the fourth-biggest reserves of petroleum in the world.
Mr Celebi said Kurdistan wants to build a broad-based economy meaning there will be opportunities for firms and organisations in a range of areas.
“Industry-wise we need everything,” he said.
Samir Abdullah Mustafa, the Minister for Municipalities & Tourism, said the country would need help developing its tourism industry.
There will be huge demand for university level education. Other priority areas include financial services and infrastructure.
The Kurdistan Regional Government has control over many areas but taxation and foreign affairs are the domain of the Iraqi administration in Baghdad.
Cairn Energy previously indicated its interest in the region. It was selected by the authorities to bid for licences in Iraq in 2009 but did not do so.
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