RE: RE: ...drill at 600 foot mark as of today...Saturday, 29 May 2010, 01:18 EDT
Germany has faith in Kurdistan Region's future
German Deputy Minister for Trade and International Financing Dr. Karl-Ernst Brauner talks to the press during the opening ceremony of the German Commercial and Industry Office in Erbil on May 26. GLOBE PHOTO/ Safin Hamed
The Kurdish Globe
A German Liaison Office for Industry and Commerce has opened in Erbil city, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan Region, to attract German businessmen to work in the region.
Last week, a German business delegation headed by Dr. Karl-Ernst Brauner, German Deputy Minister for Trade and International Financing, arrived in Erbil city to open the German office. "We have economic and political reasons to open this liaison office," said Dr. Brauner. "Regarding economic reasons, we see a good investment opportunity in Kurdistan Region. It is stable and very secure." He added that Kurdistan Region can use its oil and gas for its own benefits.
Regarding political reasons, he said that Germany has strong relations with Kurdistan Region and knows that Kurdistan wants good relations with its neighboring countries. "I am happy to see relations between Kurdistan Region and Turkey improving."
He added: "It is a two-sided effort. First Kurdistan Region stretched a friendly hand to Turkey--for that I thank the Kurdistan Region President and the KRG. As for Turkey, it wants membership into the European Union-which is why it wants good relations with Kurdistan Region.
Dr. Brauner expressed happiness at Kurdistan Region's development since 2003. "When I arrived at the Erbil International Airport, I was excited by the airport and all the good roads that have been built. Erbil is very different from Baghdad and much more developed."
Dr. Brauner met with Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani. President Barzani told Dr. Brauner that "we have a rich country but we lack experience; this is the first time we Kurds have had the chance to govern ourselves, and we need your experience and expertise to help us make the best use of our country's resources."
The German Liaison Office is funded by German Ministry for Trade and International Financing. Its goal is to get German companies, especially middle and small companies, to invest in Kurdistan. On a similar note, the German flagship airliner, Lufthansa, started direct flights from Erbil to Frankfort in April and now operates four flights weekly.