The first economic conference between Kurdistan and Italy started today in Erbil. During the next two days, about 50 Italian businessmen and 30 Kurdish merchants will discuss future cooperation.

The conference is also attended by Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Water Resources, the Deputy Governor of Erbil, and the Italian Consul in Erbil. "The Italians want to strengthen bilateral economic relations and open branches in the Kurdistan Region," said Dara Jalil Khayat, head of Kurdistan Region’s Commerce Chamber. "Many of the companies come to the region for the first time." Mr Khayat claimed that this conference is the first of its kind between Kurdistan and Italy.

However, Mr Khayat had already announced a very similar "Kurdish-Italian Trade Conference" in Erbil in early June. This time, the members of the conference plan to found a Kurdish-Italian organization, assigned to develop economic relations. After the two-day conference the delegation is planned to meet Kurdistan Region's President Massoud Barzani, Prime Minister Barham Salih, and Parliament Speaker Kamal Kirkuki.

©Aknews