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Prime Minister’s speech at engineers conference

WED, 28 MAY 2008 16:58 | KRG.org

Erbil, 28 May 2008

Speech by KRG Prime Minister
Nechirvan Barzani

Engineers Conference: Kurdistan Contracting Engineering and Design Organisations (KCEDO)

Distinguished guests and attendees,

Good morning and welcome to this important conference. I am very pleased to be here and to have the opportunity to participate in discussions on this crucial subject: The development of human resources and the economy of the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) places social development and strengthening of the economy on the top of its priority list. We give special attention to he advancement of human and technical capabilities on the one hand, and the development of our natural resources on the other.

Our vision to build a progressive, prosperous and stable society in the Kurdistan Region starts with the development of our capabilities. We in the KRG have allocated considerable financial resources to this, but we need increased efforts in the private sector, in the form of local and international investors, to secure the success of our efforts.

By observing the experiences of successful nations in the world, we know that we must implement fundamental changes. These changes will allow us to transform from a model of under-development, to one where we can encourage the growth of our indigenous human resources to change to a model based on participation.

Each nation may choose its own methods and path to make these changes. We see three aspects within the Kurdistan Region that need specific focus.

First, we must, generally speaking and at all stages, develop our education system in the Region in order to have a strong system particularly in the areas of higher education, engineering and sciences.

Second, we need to establish national scientific centres and institutions for research and analysis in the fields of industry, agriculture, construction and information technology so that they act as the catalyst for our progress in the Kurdistan Region

Third, we must benefit from the opportunities of transferable technologies at the international level. We need to achieve the ability to connect ourselves to that network.

Ladies and Gentleman,

We are now part of the global economy that is shaped by WTO rules, competition laws, private property protection laws, and standard and quality control rules. World trade is now dominated by manufacturing and products with high science and technology inputs. Our ability to interact productively with this world depends to a great extent on our ability to achieve progress in the field of learning and in mastering technologies.

In order to be part of that world of production, we need to succeed in the area of training, self-learning and other paths to acquiring technological expertise.

We all must work hard to acquire and use this technology so that it becomes a part of our basic policy and the cornerstone of all programmes.

This is the main theme of this gathering because it is the construction industry, contracting companies, engineering and design companies that can acquire and have much to gain from new technologies.

As you have learned from your experiences, acquiring technology and interacting with it cannot be successful on an individual basis or with a single company. It needs the right environment, existing institutions and infrastructures, enabling systems and the right policies to support and develop such capabilities.

The three sectors of engineering, construction and design are key elements in developing our service infrastructure, and therefore the development of our capabilities in these three areas are the main areas of attention for the KRG.

In addition to this effort many others have been started:

• Industry - in the preparatory stages
• Review and reform of the education system
• Establishing a technical industry within our colleges and universities
• Establising a strong exchange programmes with international education institutions

Our region and our people have a rich culture and much knowledge in the construction field, with expert masons and capable and experienced engineers. A considerable number of competent and skilled people have chosen the engineering profession, and we in the KRG now rely on them to help rebuild infrastructure that will in turn contribute to developing other sectors.

Other government departments and institutions must work closely and in partnership with experts to overcome what was a highly organised policy by the former regime to destroy our social, cultural and economic values, executed through the destruction of villages and the resettlement of villagers in collective camps.

Our people were transformed from an active and productive society, to a passive consumer society. The culture of dependency, laziness and low or zero productivity used to be alien to Kurdish society. The former regime resorted to this plan in order to undermine our people.

We as the Kurdistan Regional Government are proud of our Region’s people. We want all individuals, who are our greatest asset and resource, to rely on their talents and unlimited capabilities, and stay away from this culture that was once imposed on them by force.

We want to serve our people in the best way and for this purpose we want all to participate in carrying out their specific duties and obligations.

Civil servants must carry out all their work sincerely and faithfully to accomplish their duty, not just watch the hands of the clock and wait for the day’s end. They must feel responsible for the land, the people and the future of this Region.

Workers must carry out their work steadfastly and earnestly, and comply with high standards rather than becoming negligent.

Contractors have a great responsibility on their shoulders, and need to work conscientiously and faithfully to fulfill their obligations. Those awarded project contracts must stay committed to the standards and legal requirements specified in the contract

Contractors, and all who participate in the implementation of the process, must work with maximum transparency and openness, and present all outcomes of their work to the public.

Engineers have to be examples of honesty and loyalty, and must bring trust to their work. If negligent when supervising projects for the government, it not only adds to a learned trend of laziness, but provides opportunity for corruption and reflects negatively on the people and the Region itself.

We are working to rehabilitate and develop a nation which has faced destruction since its beginnings.

Industrial talent and capabilities have been dispersed. Using the capabilities that we have, we have to focus on advances in science and technology, develop our ability to progress further, and reconstruct our nation.

It is clear that this conference is a good start so that our continued steps will be scientific and practical, relying on proposals raised by experts like all of you attending this conference.

We know that throughout the world, corruption and obstruction are taking place on all scales. When a bridge collapses for no apparent reason, or when a road is constantly buckling and cracking, negligence and corruption exists. We in the Kurdistan Region face a greater duty than those with complete peace and stability.

A few years is a short period of time to rebuild a country which has faced destruction on all fronts. This is especially apparent within the Kurdistan Region.

The outcome of unprofessional work, waste of national wealth, and non-compliance with international standards in implementing projects, had a negative impact on the economy and our self-reliance. Our budgets and national resources are the property of every individual in our society and they should only be used to serve the best interests of the Kurdistan Region and its people.

Here I would like to ask every individual to feel responsible for the natural resources of the Kurdistan Region and at the same time for everyone to oversee the way these resources are used. It is clear that collective action of groups and organisations is the key to having good results.

I want to ask civil society organisations, the press and all media outlets for their cooperation in ensuring transparency, to disclose all cases of negligence and shortfalls, and to watch the construction activities in the Kurdistan Region.

Each one of us, based on our own duties, is responsible for the advancement of our society, and all must play a role in the process of change. Progress cannot take root when everyone waits for the government to act and no individual initiative is taken. In order to progress, we must all work together.

This conference is the first step in the process that should be implemented in order to successfully establish a strong engineering, construction and design industry in the Kurdistan Region.

We in the KRG will carefully consider and study the views, propositions and recommendations that will be formulated from this conference.

Additionally, we will formulate more policies and will establish financial institutions to support more programmes. We believe that contracting, engineering and design companies will be the most effective tools for increasing the benefits for more local and foreign investment into the region.

These companies will be an important link to connect the Kurdistan Region with world progress in the areas of science and technology and will also be effective foundations to strengthen and activate the economy, promote sustainable development, and improve the living conditions of the people.

Once again I welcome you and I wish you and this conference much success.

I hope you succeed in your efforts and I specially thank those who have travelled a long way to be with us today.

Thank you.

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