Erbil – The UAE’s Foreign Trade Minister Sheikha Lubna al Qasimi, Ambassador and several Emirate companies yesterday participated in a trade forum in Erbil to explore business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region. As he opened the conference, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Prime Minister Barham Salih emphasised the role of the international community, including the UAE, in contributing to development in the Kurdistan Region and throughout Iraq.

Sheikha al Qasimi said that the United Arab Emirates is committed to investing in the reconstruction and development of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. She commended Kurdistan’s progress and security, and assured Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials that she would continue to promote trade and foreign investment.

The delegation, which was accompanied by the UAE Ambassador to Iraq Sheikh Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Shehhi, also met President Masoud Barzani at his office in Salahaadin. President Barzani outlined the progress and growth achieved in the Kurdistan Region, which provides a base for companies to later expand to Iraq-wide operations. He briefed the visiting delegation on the KRG policies and legislation to attract foreign investment and invited UAE firms to explore trade opportunities.

The Trade Forum began with a video presentation and keynotes speeches from KRG Prime Minister Salih, UAE Foreign Trade Minister al Qasimi, and the Chairman of the Iraqi Investment Commission Dr Sami Al Araji. Dr Al Araji offered his full support to the visiting Minister and her delegation, complimenting the Kurdistan Region on its development and economic success. Mr al-Nowais, Chairman of Rotana Hotels and Board Member of Dana Gas, said that businesses need security and stability in order to invest, and the delegation felt secure in the Region.

Several ministers and business representatives took questions from the audience regarding travel promotion, trade and investment procedures and laws, the Memorandum of Understanding signed between UAE and federal Iraq, and the role of the private sector in stimulating development in the Kurdistan Region.

The delegation was given a tour of both old and new sites: Erbil’s ancient Citadel, the old bazaar, the hillside resort of Shaqlawa, Majidi shopping mall and the new airport. On his visit to the UAE in February, Prime Minister Salih met several government officials, including Minister al Qasimi

The speakers at the conference included Trade Minister Sinan Chalabi, Chairman of the Investment Board Chairman Minister Herish Muharam, Minister Al Araji, UAE Foreign Trade Ministry Director-General Mr Abdullah Ahmed al-Salih, Chairman of Rotana Hotels and Board Member of Dana Gas Mr Nasra al-Nowais, and the Head of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry M. Mohammad Al-Hawili.

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