A $4.5 billion development in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in northern Iraq, is set to start by the end of the year.
Developers Damac Properties said the first phase will be a 170 million square feet project called Tarin Hills that will include an 18 hole golf course, residential and commercial buildings.
The Dubai based company is confident that the region will attract high end and mass tourism. 'Erbil has great potential to become an attractive destination. We are happy to contribute to the development of a new Kurdistan and believe that this investment will contribute towards the growth phase of the region and a landmark in Iraq development,' said Chairman Hussain Sajwani.
Villas will be intertwined among the golf course and surrounding it to give a community feel. A golf club and spa will be the focus for recreation and leisure along with a water and theme park, arts and craft centre and eventually shops, schools and a business park.
Kurdistan covers large parts of eastern Turkey, northern Iraq, northwestern Iran and smaller parts of northern Syria and Armenia. It includes parts of Zagros and the eastern Taurus mountain ranges.
From a political standpoint, Iraqi Kurdistan is the only region which has gained official recognition internationally as an autonomous federal entity.
Damac is an international company that has expanded rapidly into less well known areas as well as projects in more established markets like Dubai and Egypt.
