Iraq is set to embark on an ambitious job creation plan it hopes will result in work for as many as five million Iraqis in the next five years as it spends US$275 billion (Dh1.01 trillion) of cash earmarked for development.
"Between 2013 and 2017, these investment projects will bring four to five million job opportunities, some of which will be public sector positions and others will open up at private and foreign companies operating in Iraq," said Abdel Zahra Al Hindawi, the official spokesperson at Iraq's ministry of planning.
Iraq's unemployment rate is among the highest in the Middle East at 16 per cent. That compares with 18.1 for Tunisia and is above Egypt at 12.6 per cent.
"Iraq's high unemployment rate is one of the main reasons why we see breaches of security, terrorism, as people on the edge feel more and more marginalised," Mr Al Hindawi said.
"We plan to tackle this problem with a three-pronged approach, through investment by government, private sector and foreign investors to kick-start these projects," he said.
"The more jobs open up as these developments come online, the more we will see a more stable Iraq."
The development projects will focus on housing, tourism, higher education, industries and agriculture, he said.
Ahmed Shakir, a recent graduate with a bachelor of science from the University of Baghdad said he had spent almost a year looking for a job with no avail.
"I have applied everywhere," he said. "For two years I have been working at one ministry, from 7am to 3am, with no pay in the hope that one day they will consider hiring me."
The United Nations International Labour Organisation this month warned thta jobless rates among young people were expected to rise in North Africa and the Middle East, to above 25 per cent and possibly more.
The high rate of unemployment means "even a quick acceleration in growth may not provide sufficient job opportunities in a short period of time", the ILO report said.
Iraq's record budget of $100.5bn for this year, based on an estimated oil price of $85 per barrel, accounted for the addition of only 100,000 new jobs this year, indicating it has a long way to go to reach the planned five million in such a short time.
In a country with a population of 32 million, more than 80 per cent of Iraqis work for the government or state-related entities, while the private sector is considered very small and weak.
In this year's public budget only $30bn went into investment projects.
That would mean either Iraq would have to depend on growing oil revenues, or on further foreign investment.
High levels of corruption and inefficiency, particularly in government departments, also led experts to question whether Iraq would be able to deliver on its ambitious job-creation plan.
"Iraq's government targets are ludicrously optimistic, especially when it comes to their potential to deliver infrastructure projects," said Toby Dodge, an Iraq expert at the London School of Economics, who has advised oil companies in Iraq.
"That is part of the propaganda of state for population, 'Hurrah! good times are around the corner, you are going to see the final seed of crazy bonanza.' The great danger is that won't happen, institutions are too weak and do not have the capacity to oversee the spending, to direct where it should go, or oversee that it is being spent in the right way."
The anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International ranked Iraq 175th out of 182 countries in its Corruption Perception Index last year.
halsayegh@thenational.ae
The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
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Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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What are the regulations?
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
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Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
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Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Continental champions
Best Asian Player: Massaki Todokoro (Japan)
Best European Player: Adam Wardzinski (Poland)
Best North & Central American Player: DJ Jackson (United States)
Best African Player: Walter Dos Santos (Angola)
Best Oceanian Player: Lee Ting (Australia)
Best South American Player: Gabriel De Sousa (Brazil)
Best Asian Federation: Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
