Category Archives: Economy

Why aren’t managers in Kurdistan more successful?

By Nabaz Shwany: Managers run organizations. There are some skills and behaviors that they should possess in order to be successful. When managers lack these basic skills, they cannot accomplish their objectives. In Kurdistan, managers confront many difficulties and obstacles to their organizational goals. Although some say managers in Kurdistan are on the right track, in…

Kurdistan opposition boycotts budget vote

News and Comment by KT: The Kurdistan Region’s 2012 budget was passed by parliament this weekend. This followed a strong campaign by opposition parties who boycotted the vote in protest against the budget papers’ many irregularities and unjustifiable expenses for officials. The opposition went on strike from parliament on Friday and Saturday, against a background of…

PUK blames Gorran for obstructing the KRG budget‏

News and Comment by The Kurdistan Tribune: For the last two months, Iraq’s turmoil has developed into deadlock. Talabani has told reporters that he has not received enough signatures to withdraw confidence from the Maliki government. He has also indirectly told Kurdistan president Barzani that, as president of Iraq, he must stay neutral and cannot…

KRG’s economic crisis – who will save them?

News and Comment by the Kurdistan Tribune: The economic and political instability in the Kurdistan Region has driven prime minister Nechirvan Barzani and other ministers to make several visits to Turkey over the past two weeks.  As the battle of nerves between Baghdad and Erbil continues, business morale has plummeted in the south of Kurdistan….

Rapid growth in 2012 forecast for the south of Kurdistan

By Mufid Abdulla: In parts of the world, economies seem to be melting away, while in others – especially the emerging markets – economies are doing fantastically well. The south of Kurdistan saw a 60% economic expansion between 2005 and 2010. This compares to a mere 5-10% growth for many developed economies over the same…

Iran crisis: High oil prices can plague the global economy

Oil

By Rauf Naqishbendi:  Due to the global economic slowdown, the demand for oil has been dwindling, resulting in an over-supply of oil. The supply-and-demand economic fundamental is seemingly imbalanced as the oil supply exceeds demand, and yet oil prices are on the rise. Conspicuously, this shows how geo-political events can override economic principles: in this…

Cash only: Why the messy banking sector endangers Iraqi development

Shwan Zulal

By Shwan Zulal: This article first appeared on Niqash Iraq could be one of the richest countries in the world. Yet over three quarters of Iraqis do not have bank accounts. So where do they keep that wealth? And can the Iraqi banking system be dragged into the 21st century? Bookmark on Delicious Recommend on…

Why has the PUK in Sulaymani blocked the Reber Quick internet provider?

News and Comment by The Kurdistan Tribune: For the  past 13 days, by order of the governor of Sulaymani, Reber Quick – the biggest internet provider in the region, which is owned by Newroz Telecom Ltd – has been blocked from providing services on the pretext that it has no license. Bookmark on Delicious Recommend…

Property boom: A burst housing bubble could leave Kurdish region in tears

Shwan Zulal

By Shwan Zulal: This article first appeared on Niqash In Iraqi Kurdistan, locals are enjoying a property boom. As demand outstrips supply, buying off-the-plan is more popular. But if this housing bubble bursts, the region could face severe economic and political consequences. In the semi-autonomous state of Iraqi Kurdistan, an area that is generally more…