We have shared the economic dynamics of Northern Iraq in our first part of the article. We will continue with it and provide more details of it.

It is paid attention that there are great number of Turkish businessman in Erbil investing and doing business continuously. Following US invasion to Iraqi in 2003, the reestablishment and investment in the region has started. Erbil status naturally boosts the investment in the region. Moreover the relations with Turkey and the relations between Turkish and Kurdish population due to marriage, business and other reasons accelerate the commercial activities. Almost in every street or neighbourhood, you might come up with a Turkish restaurant, boutique, furniture store and grocery easily.

Besides tradesman, almost all housing business belongs to Turkish investors. Moreover, there are Turkish hotel brand operating in Erbil. Those not only contribute in touristic economy but also train the Kurdish youngster to develop the economy.

Beside this, there are major logistics Turkish companies operating. Oil sector operations involves the business such as equipment & material supply and technical support and business administration. Turkish firms are essential in Erbil business life.

It is very kind to meet with people once you mention that you are a Turk. They come beside you and start talking with you with simple words that they know in Turkish. This is very kind but also emphasizes the approach the people have to Turkey.

However we have to mention that after ISIS activities in the region, most of the investment are halted and have not mainly started. This has a big impact in the regional economy.

Kurdish society hold majority in the ethnical distribution. Once travelling from Erbil to Sulaymaniyah, the Kurdish and English traffic labels are easily recognized. There are no other language other than those two. The society mostly talks in Kurdish and Arabic. Almost all Turkmens also talk in Kurdish. The Kurdish is the main language in the education system. There are schools give the education in English, French and German language. The Turkmens and the Christians are the monority of the society. The Christians are living in a separate neighbourhood. However, Kurds and Turkmens are living in the same neighbourhood. There are also considerable number of Turks living in Erbil with a valid work permit.

In Erbil and Kirkuk the majority of the population is Kurdish. There are also Alavi population in Suleymaniyah. Once driving out of the biggest cities, you may see the Kurdish population dominating the rural areas.

Let’s look at the political environment…

There is a regional parliament working in Erbil. The distribution of the parliaments are related the distribution of the population. Basically is directly related with the ethnical population distribution. This distribution dictates the number of member of parliament.

This construes that the people are not voting for the service or ideas but for the ethnic identity. This demonstrates that the democracy is not established in the region yet. The politics is established around the ethnic identity.

There is military group called Peshmerga. The service withstands on voluntariness. However there is a salary engages with service duration. However it is hard to say that this military group is very much disciplined and has reached an army order.

In our forthcoming analysis, we will analyse the underlying reasons that compel Kurdish leaders to take a shot with referendum.

Mustafa Çekirge