Kurdistan on the brink of greatness

Gary Kent organises the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kurdistan and writes in a personal capacity

Whenever I mention I am going to Kurdistan, people usually check whether I mean Kazakhstan or Kirgizstan.

When I explain that it’s in northern Iraq, they usually shake their heads in pity. But they don’t know what they are missing and it’s tempting to keep schtum.

Having travelled extensively there, including twice this year, I am confident Kurdistan will figure increasingly in our political, economic and travel plans.

Its future is bright but history was cruel. Saddam Hussein tried to eliminate the Kurds with chemical weapons, mass graves, concentration camps and scorched-earth tactics. Kurdistan survived, thanks in part to British interventions.

Kurdistan is now easily the safest and richest part of Iraq. Its living standards have risen sharply and its security is top-notch. It has halved illiteracy, eliminated malaria and is keenly opening itself up to the world after decades of isolation.

Its second language is English and many admire the United Kingdom’s traditions, services and goods. Most scholarships are coming here, which is a nice little earner for our universities. Kurdistan’s huge oil and gas riches can drive social progress and their surplus gas could also supply Europe for a century.

As a friend, I am also candid about its problems which include some typical aspects of the Middle East.

Women’s rights are more advanced, with proportionately more female parliamentarians than here, but there are also “honour” murders and female circumcision. The State is too large and powerful while the private sector is small and feeble, plus there is too much corruption.

Discontent emerged recently and several demonstrators and police officers were tragically shot dead.

Media rights and journalism are underdeveloped with some intimidation and some murders. I visited an independent television station that had been burnt down but since rebuilt. All perpetrators need to be prosecuted in order to uphold the law.

It’s important to keep all this in perspective. Most parts of Kurdistan are unaffected and all-party dialogue could put a line under it. Kurdistan’s democratic ambition is strong and its leaders want to modernise while a sizeable Opposition could keep ministers on their toes. Kurds have willingly taken the democratic path and the international community says its elections are free and fair.

They want to learn how our Parliament functions, but visiting MPs say we haven’t got all the answers because democracy is a journey whose final destination is never quite reached.

If it overcomes its problems and deepens its democracy, it will remain a dynamo in Iraq and more widely. Its leaders also know that the oil and gas will run out one day and want to harness agriculture and tourism.

Here Kurdistan has fantastic advantages. Take the long and winding roads between the three major cities and you will see snow-capped mountains, a large lake or two, waterfalls and arable plains that are begging to be harvested. Its pomegranates, honey and grapes are legion and could be profitable if processed properly but this needs foreign investment. Any British companies interested in this and many other opportunities?

As well as these stunning vistas there are ancient cities, caves, archaeology, religious centres and battlefields. Upmarket hotels with decent food are already available.

The local food is plentiful, perhaps too much, and sweet tea will sustain you. It’s hot in the summer but cooler in the spring. You won’t be hassled. Intrepid travellers are making their way there and love it. National Geographic already puts it in the top 20 trips of 2011.

The flight from London via Vienna is pricey for now, but once tourism is better established, direct and cheaper UK flights should follow. More British investment and trade would boost both economies, build lasting relationships and open up tourism.

I may come to selfishly regret encouraging visitors more because its unspoilt nature is a major attraction, but the Kurdish cat’s out of the bag now.