Jobs, wealth drive Basra's autonomy bid

Basra: Many Iraqis are hoping the southern region of Basra will become an autonomous region.

They are keen to see the transformation of a historic city into a modern city. If the local airport becomes an international one, it would attract investors from all around the world.

The airport in Basra still maintains tight security after the British forces withdrew and the road to the airport is scattered with checkpoints manned by the Iraqi security forces.

To make Basra an autonomous region would mean to create an atmosphere without such imposing security. A return to normalcy would be a vital component to Basra's future economic prosperity.

Referendum

"Basra is inching towards declaring itself an autonomous region. A referendum is being arranged within the first quarter of next year," Mohammad Bosbih Al Waeli, the governor of Basra told Gulf News.

Basra needs about $25 billion (Dh91.75 billion) dollars to sustain its development of oil fields, its port, and the agriculture of the land to export its products to European and Asian markets.

"The establishment of Basra into an autonomous region will provide almost a half a million jobs by 2012 in the sectors of oil, agriculture, and port services and this is an important gain," Maher Al Abbadi, a professor of economics said. "The president will have broad powers to negotiate with foreign investors and governments, and there are a number of economic guarantees from the UAE, Kuwait, the US, and the EU to support the region of Basra," he said.

Salem Hanoun graduated from the University of Basra with a degree in economics and management and said he still has not found work with the government or the private sector.

"There are hundreds of graduates like myself that face the same problem. There is a lack of projects and economic movement in the province despite its enormous wealth in oil, agriculture and ports," he said.

Many residents say that the move to make Basra an autonomous region has become a movement to escape the prevailing economic, social, and political difficulties that Basra currently faces.

Dispute

"Making Basra into an independent region will give hope for more prosperity, but this also feeds into talks of the division of Iraq. Also, it can create an environment of dispute over oil wealth among the different governing parties which could ultimately lead to its destruction," Ahmad Al Feraji, a resident of Basra said.

"What is important is to avoid a catastrophe by ensuring the leaders will operate intelligently."