Today's Exclusive Columns
A New President, Now What?
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Mosireen Empowers Citizen Journalists
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Mideast Arts & Culture
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Shohreh Aghdashloo, From Tehran To Hollywood
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Reza Aramesh on Bringing His Images of Violence to NYC Nightclubs
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Vote4Zahra: A Virtual Candidate for Iran’s Elections (Part Two)
This is part two of our interview with Zahra’s Paradise author and co-creator Amir Soltani. Click here (arts-culture/mideast-art/21339-vote4zahra-a-virtual-candidate-in-iran-s-upcoming-elections-part-one) to read part one. Aslan Media contributing writer Roxanne Rashedi recently had a...
The Use Of The Written Word In The Art Of Shirin Neshat & Lalla Essaydi
While often perceived as a purely aural element, the word is as important a visual tool in politically-motivated art. Shirin Neshat and Lalla Essaydi, two artists known for their use of calligraphy,...
‘Indecent’ ballet? Egyptian Islamist lawmaker angers dancers
An Islamist member of Egypt’s Shura Council has stirred controversy for describing ballet dancing as “the art of nudity,” prompting objections from a number of dancers. Council member Gamal Hamed, of...
NEWSDESK
The Economic Kurdish Spring
- Details
- Written by Content Manager
- Category: Featured Partner: elan Magazine
For the past few years the Kurds have been portraying their land as ‘the other Iraq’, a safe and secure environment for foreigners.
As Baghdad continues to battle with the suicide and car bomb attacks, the last attack in Kurdistan was back in 2004. While the rest of Iraq averages 4 hours of electricity a day, the Kurds are enjoying 20 hours. Life is generally better, with new malls, international hotel chains and brands building up a presence.
With a $13bn budget this year, the government is keen to spend and rebuild the region and attract foreign investors to continue its economic boom.
But it is still Iraq. Kurdistan has a long way to go, economically, socially and culturally. While many investors and returning expats have come to make a fortune and establish businesses, there are many drawbacks.
There is a skills shortage, crippling corruption and bureaucracy. There’s not much to do leisure-wise and it has little to offer the young, particularly female expats.
It’s a frustrating state of affairs especially for those better familiar with working in the West. And frustration is a feeling that must be forgotten in order to make it in Kurdistan.
By Triska Hamid, Elan MagazineThis content is provided courtesy of Elan Magazine
*Photo Credit: Jan Sefti
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