Iraq opens airport aimed at tourism

Multi-billion dollar project brings airport to southern city of Najaf.

Nouri al-Malaki
Al-Maliki said that he hoped otherprovinces would open new airports [AFP]

“There must be competition among other provinces when it comes to rebuilding their regions,” he said.

The shrine of Iman Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed, is in the southern city, and other religious sites are nearby.

Developers say that 9 million pilgrims visit the locations each year.

Planners hope that the new airport will increase the number of visitors by 10 per cent annually.

Al-Aqeelah, a Kuwaiti investment firm, has led the multi-billion dollar project. The firm also plans to build thousands of new homes and hotels in Najaf.

Kuwait has a large Shia minority.

Maliki and other government politicians are attempting to promote investment in the country.

Violence in Iraq is at a four-year low following the US-led invasion of the county in 2003.

The UN said that foreign direct investment in Iraq was $272 million in 2006.

Source: News Agencies