Close gate and curfew continues hurting Iraqi Kurdish economy

Habur gate of Turkey to Iraq has been remained close for straight 18 days due to a curfew implemented by Turkish government.
It has been reported that around 12000 trucks were struck at the Habur gate, with 10,000 of them held in Iraq, unable to cross into Turkey, media outlets reported on Thursday. Local trade unions have said the estimated loss in exports to Iraq since the beginning of December was $450 million.
An average of 6,000 trucks used to drive through the Habur gate before the curfew, responsible for 45 percent of land transportation between Iraq and Turkey.
In a statement, Turkey's Ministry of Customs and Trade said that around 400 trucks had entered Iraq via Turkey's Gürbulak border gate with Iran. The ministry said it looked at options to diversify routes for Turkish trucks to Iraq.
On Thursday, sporadic gunfire was still heard in various parts of the southeastern provinces. Four southeastern towns that have seen heavy fighting since Dec. 14 remained under curfew, with Diyarbakır's historic Sur district entering its 28th day under the ban.
Local trade and business unions have lamented the lingering instability in the region, fearing worse to come. Diyarbakır Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (DİSİAD) Chairman Burç Baysal said that many small business owners were unable to earn money for more than two weeks and are on the brink of bankruptcy.
He added, “Producers, retailers cannot deliver goods to the market and the banks are reluctant to give out loans.”
In a statement, Diyarbakır Governor's Office said that Prime Ministry allocated TL 1.75 million in financial aid to 603 businesses in Sur.
According to Federation of Eastern and Southeastern Businessmen's Associations (DOGÜNSİFED) President Şah İsmail Bedirhanoğlu, at least 10,000 business owners and entrepreneurs in Diyarbakır are seriously affected by the ongoing clashes in the city.