SOUTHFIELD — Too often, positive news about Iraq is underreported or ignored, as the media focuses widely on the violence plaguing various parts of the country. 

As Iraq works to recover from a devastating war that spanned over a decade, many people remain optimistic about its future. 

During an interview with The Arab American News, Al Manhal Al Safi, the Consul General of the Republic of Iraq in Detroit, discussed investment opportunities in Iraq, the country’s upcoming elections and its blooming tourism industry. 

“You don’t see it on television, but, actually, people are traveling to Iraq, people are building new houses…You won’t see that it’s normal in the media, but when there is a car bomb, or whatever, they put it on the news,” Al Safi said. “There is so much good news coming out of Iraq that no one really sheds light on.”  

Al Safi assists Iraqi Americans with various consular services in the states that fall under his jurisdiction, including Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Michigan has the highest concentration of Iraqis among all the states. 

Over the last few years, efforts have been made to increase exports from Michigan to the Middle East and introduce Michigan-based companies to investment opportunities in the region. 

Safi.

In 2010, Iraq reportedly had one of the largest markets in the Middle East. “The country needs everything, starting with the infrastructure, investments, housing, medical treatment, hospitals, education, schools, and many aspects of life in Iraq,” Al Safi said  

While his office doesn’t handle investments, it can help lead people, who are interested in learning more about how to start the process, in the right direction. 

“It is not our responsibility, technically. We have our embassy in Washington that deals with it, and our ambassador is doing a good job,” Al Safi said.   

Al Safi’s office has been approached by many Iraqis, who want to invest in their homeland in areas, like housing, building hospitals, water treatment and more. It can help potential investors by granting them business visas to travel to and from Iraq. 

Much of the country’s infrastructure has been devastated by war. 

Iraq’s 2013 budget was estimated at $113 billion; 69% of which is operational. 

Al Safi says the average income for Iraqis has increased, because of the budget and more jobs are now available in the government and private sector.  

“The government is investing in mass projects around the country,” he said.

Safi (L) speaks with a local Iraqi-American at his office in Southfield.

Al Safi says that it’s important for Iraqi youth around the world to get involved in giving back to the country. 

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the ground in Iraq are working to enhance living conditions for civilians. He says that the youth can get in touch with an NGO and take part in humanitarian efforts, aimed at helping orphans, elderly people, widows, children and women.  

Al Safi hopes that local Iraqis take part in the upcoming Iraqi elections, which are expected to take place in March 2014. Anyone who is of Iraqi decent can vote.  

“I’m encouraging all Iraqis, both Christians and Muslims, to participate in the upcoming elections. Their vote is very vital and it will be counted,” he said. 

He says it’s important for mosques and churches to inform worshipers about the elections and push them to participate. 

“The upcoming election is vital to the future of Iraq.  A lot of people in the Middle East are actually fighting for this right and once it is there, they don’t participate. You don’t have to go back to Iraq to vote.  You can vote here,” Al Safi said. 

He says gatherings will be held around metro-Detroit, where people can vote. There has been much concern over Iraqi Christians not having adequate representation in Iraq’s government. Christians are expected to take part in the upcoming elections as candidates. 

“The Christian presence is very, very important in Iraq,” Al Safi said. 

Iraq is also becoming a tourist destination for many people. Al Safi says that even some soldiers, who fought in the war, are now returning among the tourists. 

 He explains that the country has many tourist attractions. He cited a museum in downtown Baghdad that he visited last year which was newly renovated as a great tourist attraction. 

“It is marvelous and beautiful, and it has been done by an Italian firm that deals with museums. It is really a tourist attraction,” he said. 

Iraq has been a tourist haven to many. Kurdistan is one of the safest regions. The Kurdistan Investment Authority has pushed for significant developments around the area. Religious tourism has also been popular in Iraq. 

“Iraq survived thousands of years and it will continue to survive. It has great civilizations and great people. Life goes on.  There are still beautiful things in Iraq, but you cannot judge it while you are away, or through a TV, or a newspaper.  Be courageous and go and see,” Al Safi says. “You have the opportunity to go back, see and contribute to your country.”

For more information on the Iraqi consulate office in Detroit, call 248.423.1250. To learn how to contribute to the rebuilding of Iraq, visit: www.cabinet.iq.