Non-oil investment in the Kurdish region of Iraq totaled more than $12 billion over the last three years, according to the Board of Investors in the Kurdistan Regional Government.

While the rest of Iraq struggled for stability, the Kurdish region saw an influx in development and economic growth. In the words of Kamran Mufti, the director-general of the Board: "We want to inform the companies that we have a situation quite different from that in other parts of Iraq."

Of foreign investment in the region, Kuwait and Lebanon contributed the most, with approximately $3.1 billion, representing a quarter of total investments during the period. Total investments from within Iraq totaled $8.59 billion.

[During a visit to Kurdistan late last year, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki expressed the hope that Iraq will learn from the experience e of Iraqi Kurdistan for attracting foreign investments.]

Source: BusinessIntelligence Middle East, February 21, 2010