My Iraq: Kurdish businessman

Delsoz says doing business in Kurdistan is easier since 2003

Delsoz Sherwani is the CEO of Zagros Group, which started life as a construction company 15 years ago.

He is 51 and is based in the Kurdish capital, Irbil.

The group has diversified into air travel, bringing Kurdistan closer to the outside world.

We are in the top three companies in Kurdistan; we employ 400 people.

Zagros Air was the first airline to be registered in Kurdistan after the liberation. We registered in 2004, after Irbil International Airport was opened.

We fly direct from here to Dubai, Istanbul and Vienna several times a week.

Most of the passengers are foreigners coming to do business in Kurdistan - especially those people flying from Austria.

Or they are Kurdish people living abroad who are visiting home.

We started this airline when we saw Iraqi Airways could not provide what we wanted.

Foreign investment

It's not been simple; we have invested a lot of time and money.

Actually, many, many companies are now starting up in Irbil. Some are in partnership with foreigners.

There's a lot of construction - housing and factories. Lebanese, UAE and American companies are investing in housing here.

Since 2003 we have diversified into IT, the medical sector and telecommunications

Many start with their HQ in Irbil and then follow up other activities in other parts of Iraq.

They choose Irbil because of the security and because it is the governmental capital.

They are also investing in Suleimaniya and Dohuk.

It is all growing faster than we imagined, actually.

Back in 1991 we started by helping our regional Kurdish government in construction projects: buildings, water projects.

Since 2003 we have diversified into IT, the medical sector and telecommunications.

Construction work in Irbil: the Kurdish capital is relatively safe

Before 2003 all businesses suffered from the banking system - there wasn't one.

We had to take our currency to neighbouring countries.

Now, we have an international system which meets international standards. It's easier for us because we can operate from Irbil.

People can reach Kurdistan easily now.

So, things are improving here. But we are not happy because other parts of Iraq are suffering.

We hope every part of Iraq will be secure.

For me, I feel secure in Kurdistan.