Kurdistan Economy

[Anthea]

Potato Boom in Duhok:

Exports Planned to Gulf and Southern Iraq

The Directorate of Agriculture in Duhok announced on Thursday that the province is on track to achieve a record-breaking harvest of 600,000 tons of potatoes this year, following the successful cultivation of 48,000 hectares of farmland.

Ahmed Jameel, Director of Agriculture in Duhok, told Kurdistan 24 that this year’s output marks a significant milestone in the province’s agricultural productivity. “We have planted 48,000 hectares with potatoes across Duhok, and we estimate the total harvest to reach around 600,000 tons,” he said.

With a government-imposed import ban in place, Duhok’s potato reserves have been fully consumed by domestic demand, making local production the sole supply source. “The quantities currently in storage are only sufficient for the ongoing season,” Jameel confirmed.

As local market demand has now been met, the Directorate is turning its attention toward international exports. Jameel revealed that surplus produce will be shipped to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and southern Iraq.

Thanks to sustained support from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Duhok’s potato exports have grown year by year. “Each year, with government backing, we export potatoes to various countries. While shipments to the Gulf are made by air, the majority of our produce is transported to southern and central parts of Iraq,” Jameel explained.

In 2024, Duhok exported approximately 5,000 tons of potatoes within Iraq—a figure expected to increase significantly this year as production reaches new heights and market access widens.

As one of the Kurdistan’s leading agricultural zones, Duhok continues to solidify its status as a strategic center for food security and regional trade. With record yields and expanding export networks, the province is playing a growing role in Iraq’s broader agricultural landscape.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/882420

[Anthea]

Erbil to Host Region’s Largest Tourism Expo

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Erbil is set to host the largest tourism exhibition in the Middle East as the Middle East Tourism Exposition (METEX) returns to the city for its third edition, starting Tuesday at the Erbil International Fairgrounds in Sami Abdulrahman Park

The three-day event, which has grown into a major regional platform for tourism and investment, is being closely overseen by Kurdistan’s Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism. Minister Sasan Awni visited the site on Sunday to inspect final preparations and reaffirm the Ministry’s full support for ensuring the success of the exhibition.

"We are committed to providing all necessary assistance to make METEX a success and to highlight the growing potential of the tourism sector in the Kurdistan Region," Awni stated during his tour.

The exhibition will feature a wide range of tourism-related projects and services, with participation from major tourism companies as well as public institutions. Among the participants are the General Directorates of Tourism for Erbil and Sulaimani, and the Erbil Municipality.

METEX 2025 aims to attract local and international stakeholders and strengthen Erbil’s position as a key tourism and investment hub in the Middle East.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... metex-2025

[Anthea]

PM Barzani urges shift from tragedy to tourism

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday called for a renewed focus on showcasing the Region’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, moving beyond its historical narrative of tragedy. He delivered the remarks at the Middle East Tourism Expo (METEX2025), held in Erbil with the participation of around 200 companies from 11 countries

“For years, our efforts to introduce Kurdistan to the world centered on our national identity through the lens of suffering,” said PM Barzani, adding that “Kurdistan has much more to offer… It is a place of deep history, rich culture, and peaceful coexistence among diverse religious and ethnic communities.”

“Kurdistan’s beauty lies in its diverse nature and how hospitable and friendly its people are, which is a common trait throughout Kurdistan, to make our guests feel at home.”

PM Barzani also emphasized the strategic importance of strengthening the tourism sector.

“Improving our tourism sector will help us introduce Kurdistan to the world so that more people come and visit us and get to know our people and the different parts of our Region better,” he said.

“We must continue to develop services so that more people, whether from Kurdistan or abroad, benefit more from this sector.”

PM Barzani underscored the role of events like METEX2025 in elevating the Kurdistan Region’s profile as a key tourist destination.

“One of the factors that will help us introduce Kurdistan to the world more effectively is our focus on the tourism sector,” the premier said, stressing that “by working together and with the [Kurdistan Regional] Government’s [KRG] support, such events can serve all of the Kurdistanis.”

The Kurdistan Region premier additionally stressed the importance of restoring and renovating historical sites and cultural relics across the Region “as each possesses its own unique natural and cultural beauty.”

According to the Kurdistan Region’s Tourism Board, nearly eight million tourists visited in 2023, primarily from Iraq’s central and southern provinces.

For its part, the KRG in March 2024 announced that 1.7 million tourists had visited the Region in the first three months of that year.

Geographically, the Kurdistan Region is characterized by predominantly mountainous terrain, offering particularly striking natural landscapes in its northern and northeastern areas, especially along the borders with Turkey and Iran.

In addition to its breathtaking natural scenery, the Kurdistan Region is rich in cultural and historical heritage, positioning it as a significant part of ancient Mesopotamia

The Region is also home to a wealth of archaeological sites, ancient cities, and religious landmarks that bear witness to thousands of years of continuous civilization. These include remnants from the Sumerian, Assyrian, and Median eras, highlighting the Region's deep historical roots.

At the heart of this archaeological landscape stands the Erbil Citadel, widely regarded as the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement. Dating back to 6000 BC, the Citadel serves as a symbolic and cultural centerpiece of the Kurdistan Region’s enduring legacy.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/060520252