Erbil, June 26 (AKnews) - After reevaluating all investment ventures in the region the Kurdistan Regional Government has revoked the licenses for 238 of them, the minister for municipalities and tourism said today.
Samir Abdullah told Aknews that a number of other projects are being considered for scrapping.
The moves are seen as an effort to improve the government's record on corruption. The many unfinished buildings lining the streets of the capital of the region, Erbil, a testament to the problems development of the region faces. Unscrupulous business men often secure funding for projects and siphon the money off to different bank accounts causing the venture to grind to a halt.
Government officials have been implicated in corruption and one of the main demands of protesters who took to the streets in February was that the government clean up its record in this account. Some observers have said that this latest move is part of an attempt to quench the current political crisis and bring the opposition back into the political process.
The construction of tourist facilities, industrial complexes and housing are among those that have had their licenses revoked, Abdulla said.
© AK News 2011
