A delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government participates in the Kurdistan Region-UK joint trade forum
News : 6/14/2023
A delegation of
the Kurdistan Regional Government consisted of Kamal Muslim minister of Trade
and Industry of the Kurdistan Region, Ms. Amal Jalal Head of the Tourism Board
and a number of Kurdistan Region’s businesses, Karwan Jamal Tahir KRG UK High Representative
to the UK, and Muhammad Jafar Al-Sadr ambassador of the Federal Republic of
Iraq to the United Kingdom participated in the Joint Trade Forum between
Britain and Kurdistan which was organised by the Kurdistan-British Council in cooperation
with West London Chambers of Commerce.
During the forum which was attended by a number of representatives of British
and Kurdistan companies, business institutions and investors, the KRG’s Minister
for Trade and Industry highlighted the importance of strengthening the trade
relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom, and how to further
develop these links, and prepare special plans and programs to gain benefit from
British expertise and technology to implement them in KRG’s strategic projects.
He thanked the UK for its continuous support and asked for more assistance in
the future. He also highlighted opportunities for investment in the fields of
trade and industry and called on British companies to invest in the Kurdistan
Region.
Ms. Amal Jalal Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Tourism
Board highlighted the opportunities for investment in tourism sector
and said that in addition to the charming nature of Kurdistan, there are many
other tourism spots that can attract tourists, including religious and
archaeological relics. She said the Kurdistan Regional Government provides all
the facilities, and assistance for companies and investors to invest in tourism
field and take advantage of the big opportunities in this sector.
During the
conference several workshops were held on the sectors
of trade and tourism and how to invest in the
Kurdistan Region, and also the importance of the Kurdistan Region for British businesses
and companies. They also shed light on the KRG's incentives for the foreign
companies and investors to come and invest in Kurdistan and to also have the
opportunity to enter the Iraqi market.
Meanwhile, a dinner
reception was organised by the British-Kurdish Business Council. In a speech, Nadhim
Zahawi MP said his country's government wants to have a strong relationship
with the Kurdistan Region and wishes to strengthen the partnership between both
sides. He stressed that investment opportunities are high for British companies
in the Kurdistan Region, especially for the British industry which can play a major role in the Kurdistan Region.
Mohammad Jafar
al-Sadr ambassador of the Federal Republic of Iraq to the United
Kingdom delivered a speech and said that the federal
government supports British and international companies to invest in Iraq and Kurdistan
Region. On the other hand he reiterated the
federal government's agenda to resolve all the issues between Erbil and Baghdad
and enhance the stability to promote the country's economy, and highlighted the
rate of investment between Britain and Iraq that has increased by 50% compared
to the previous year.
During the
reception, Karwan Jamal Tahir KRG UK High Representative delivered a speech to
the audience in which he highlighted the long history between Iraq, the
Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom. He said that further cooperation is
expected by the UK to strengthen trade and economic relations between the two
sides. He also mentioned that the KRG is constantly reviewing the rules and
reform the laws and regulations to further improve the economy, noting the
digitisation of the registration of foreign companies. He added that this step
would further encourage them to work in Kurdistan. He also highlighted the
importance of establishing the Kurdish-British Business Council, particularly
focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises, and said that small and
medium-sized enterprises are the key to economic growth of each country. He
told the British companies that there are many opportunities and a good environment
for investment in the Kurdistan Region and called on the British government to
encourage more British companies to invest in the Kurdistan Region.
London
14th June 2023