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Wanted: Viable economic policy
Prepared By : By Rebwar Fatah
Soma paper: Issue No.34 Monday, November 24, 2008

If Kurdistan’s economy is to really take off, the essential prerequisites are stability, prosperity and – most crucially – independence. Although Kurdistan is small, it has the potential to become a major economic and financial player, both regionally and internationally. After all, Israel is a prime example of a powerful state whose global clout belies its small population. Economic prosperity strongly contributes to the well-being of a population, helping to drive down negative factors such as crime and contributing to improvements in the health sector. Kurdistan has all the natural and human resources to build a viable economy. Perhaps what is missing is a viable strategy that will facilitate the correct harnessing of its human resources into an effective overall framework.

Today Kurdistan is a consumer market for foreign goods that are mainly imported from around the region. Even the yoghurt we eat is not a Kurdish product anymore. This must be changed. Kurdish society must be weaned away from consuming imported goods and start developing towards an industrial bent. As producers and exporters of goods, the Kurds will be able to prosper.

As Kurdistan comes out of the long years of destruction and sanction, the ability to construct a viable infrastructure is a prerequisite to moving ahead. This may include tackling large infrastructure projects such as constructing roads and bridges, investing in mass transportation, and nurturing the existing utilities.

The infrastructure needs a plan that takes long-term development into account while ensuring coordination between different service providers, such as telephone, water, electricity and fuel. This coordination will ensure minimum disruption caused from repeatedly digging-up of the road network and will incorporate the future expansion of residential and industrial areas into a greater master-plan even as it takes into account the concomitant population increase. If Kurdistan continues to develop along its current, haphazard model, it shall inevitably face crises within a few years’ time.

Where industrial plants and business centres currently mushroom in the heart of residential areas, a strict system of separation must be instituted between industrial and suburban areas. Aside from improving air-quality, such a move would bring about a plethora of other advantages, like the freeing-up of residential areas from industrial traffic. This could pave the way for the eventual pedestrianization of city centres which would reduce the risk of traffic accidents and contribute to a decrease in noise-pollution. At the same time, it would lessen the occurrence of certain types of disease afflicting children, the elderly and pregnant women. Natural resources such as oil will not last forever, which is why other industrial sectors such as agriculture, farming and tourism need to be developed to guarantee long-term economic stability.

Kurdistan is agriculture rich and its vast expanses of rich, arable land must not be over-looked. Cementing over fields in order to build houses or factories is a dangerous mistake. The current generation bears a heavy responsibility towards their descendants and they must ensure that Kurdistan’s breadbaskets be developed rather than destroyed. At the same time, steps must be taken to modernize the region’s agriculture industry. Although attracting tourists to Kurdistan may still be some time off, steps towards preparing for a day when foreign visitors come to the historical monuments and verdant Kurdish countryside must also be taken.

Beauty spots such as river-banks, mountains and lakes must be developed even as their natural beauty is preserved. These spots must not be surrendered to encroaching modernity. Historical sites – whether public or private – need to be listed and protected by law. Land development Properties and land developments must be carried out only after they have received planning permission from the local councils in a move that will help ensure the region’s beauty and its safety. Even traces of the oppression of the Kurdish people, can become tourist attractions. Examples of destroyed villages and towns, prisons and torture chambers can become museums, thus encapsulating an era in Kurdish history that needs to be commemorated and respected.

The quality of the human resources currently available needs to be considered because they require development. No industrial society can be built without a knowledgeable and qualified workforce that possesses experience. This puts in question the current education system and indicates that it must emerge from the dark ages and be employed in facilitating the preparation of a modern and experienced workforce. The school and university curricula must be updated to facilitate the arrival of an industrial society. Research must be directed towards the knowledge gaps that our society is suffering from. Kurdistan is lucky in that it has well qualified and experienced human resources available throughout its widespread diaspora. They must be encouraged to return to Kurdistan or be utilised as Kurdistan’s global economic outreach because they possess the technical knowledge and know-how to deal with international markets.

The safety of the workforce in the working environment needs to be taken very seriously with training and safety equipment being provided to workers if they are to minimize the chances of causing themselves harm. An equal opportunities employment system needs to be put in place that eliminates favoritism and nepotism. More importantly, a suitable economic model needs to be created that is better-adapted to Kurdish society. Certainly, the model developed by Middle Eastern totalitarian regimes such as Saddam’s, must be avoided. It is now essential that a combined public and private sector must be developed that will contribute to the nourishment of an independent private sector. The only way to achieve these two would be to depoliticise the economy and finance sectors. Politicians and statesmen must not control the economy and financial markets.

Concepts such as “conflict of interest” and “transparency” need to become law. Politicians’ wealth must be transparent and visible to the population. The days have passed when Kurds sought to further their interests through weapons. Today they need to advance their cause by employing a more contemporary mentality and the benefits of modern technology.

The writer is director of the London-based Kurdishmedia.com