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Building the Assyrian economy in the Nineveh Plain
By: Ashur Sada. Jan. 15, 2008
 


To maintain it and make it viable for its inhabitants, the Nineveh Plains will have to have its own self-sustaining micro economy. An economy within an economy. An economy where such things as employment, banking, currency and other matters of significance to the financial well-being of the people, are managed and well taken care of. The Nineveh Plain as a legal entity doesn't exist yet. But that doesn't mean we can't start to build its foundation, and it doesn't hurt to start with a good economy.


Jobs and Employment

First and foremost, the local Nineveite economy has to be able to offer the people of the region jobs. Lots of jobs. It is simple: the more job, the better the living conditions for the people of the region. And the better the living conditions, the less likely it is that these people would want to leave. The region wouldn't be what is today without the people. How do we create these jobs? for one, we have to be able to attract foreign investment. We have to give companies from the outside, a reason to come to the region and build factories and job markets. Whether it is safety, skilled labor force, lower business costs, there should be reasons for them to invest in our economy. But with jobs come the need for better skills and training, and as a result there will be a need a for new work shops and schools to open, to train and develop the local skills in different fields and trades.


Economic Exchange


The Nineveh Plain economy should be able to build economy ties with other local economies in the region, giving priorities to Assyrians. For example, trade with Assyrian businesses to the North in Dohuk and Erbil should be encouraged. Along the same line, special trade agreements should be worked on between the different Assyrian areas in the region, in a way that gives them a reason to trade with one another for the long term. Of course, economic exchange should be maintained with all other regional economies in Iraq and the neighboring countries.


People Power


With the local population being of an Assyrian majority, there is a great chance for this to succeed. Only, and only if people use their power wisely. For one, Assyrians have to buy from their own Assyrians, as much as it is possible. This is something that we have called for, for years, on this website. In fact, this is the easiest income we can get: it is already there, and we just have to make sure that it is spent where it needs to be spent, and not elsewhere. In addition to the local population, Assyrians visiting from the outside can help by spending their money in the local market. An Assyrian from a western country will tend to spend more, so it is another good source of income for the local Nineveite economy. Assyrians coming from the outside may also help by investing their money in the local economy, and opening their own business and employing the locals.


At the end of the day, it is up to the local leaders and people of the plain to make it work. Working together and creating the conditions where a viable economy will prosper and sustain itself, are essential steps towards the creation of such an economy. Not to mention, any expertise we can get, will only make it even better for things to go forward.  It is now time to look for our own Morgan Stanley or Alan Green Span type of economic and financial brains that will make this work.


 

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