Main content

Can Erbil cope?

Peace and relative security has made Erbil in Iraqi Kursdistan an attractive place for shoppers and refugees. But now it's struggling to cope.

Peace and security has made Erbil in Iraqi Kursdistan an attractive place for shoppers and holiday makers from Baghdad and other Iraqi cities facing security issues. A leading property agent in the city, tells Ed Butler that businesses have also relocated there, drawn by this so-called safety dividend. But it鈥檚 also attracted refugees from the region escaping the advances of Islamic State. And now the collapse in the oil price and a budget dispute with Baghdad is leading to rising unemployment and an exodus of foreign investors.
(Photo: Erbil market, Credit: Ali Al-Saadi/AFP/Getty Images)

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Fri 3 Apr 2015 07:32GMT

Broadcast

  • Fri 3 Apr 2015 07:32GMT

Business Daily Podcast

Download every programme.

Podcast