The Kurdish north is practically divided into two regions, each with its own local administration and government.
The two administrations are reported to have united but each region is said to exercise some form of self-rule.
Sulaimaniya is under the control of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan headed by Jalal Talabani, currently the President of Iraq.
The other region, including Arbil and Sulaimaniya, is administered by Kurdistan Democratic Party of Massoud Barzani.
Kareem said work on the 5-million square meter zone is expected to start soon.
“Several foreign firms will take part in building the zone,” Kareem said without elaborating.
He said the regional authorities in Sulaimaniya were in talks with the American embassy in Baghdad and central government authorities to exempt goods destined for the zone from taxes and tariffs.
“The project will open up new opportunities for business and commerce with neighboring states and make many new jobs available,” he said.(Source)Azzaman
