Kurdistan Economy

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Kurdish wheat farmers

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources has informed farmers in the Kurdistan Region that they must complete new information forms within 45 days in order to receive financial compensation from the Iraqi government for the pending sale of their harvest

This KRG effort is aimed at addressing the issue of marketing and receiving wheat from farmers within the framework of the Kurdish region’s annual receipt plan, in coordination with Iraqi trade officials.

The Kurdish agriculture ministry, in collaboration with farmers' unions and village councils, forms field committees that visit farmers' lands and record information.

Once received, the Kurdish wheat is milled into flour by Iraqi trade and agriculture ministries, whereafter is it used as part of the federal Public Distribution System (PDS), a subsidy program that provides monthly rations of wheat flour, rice, sugar and vegetable oil to qualified citizens.

On July 16, KRG Spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani announced that all wheat from Kurdistan Region farmers was received in silos on the order of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

The Kurdistan Agriculture Export Initiative, launched in 2022, is central to the KRG’s progressive reform agenda to diversify the economy and boost the agricultural sector of the Kurdish region.

Under this initiative, for the first time in the Kurdistan Region’s history, pomegranates and potatoes were exported to Gulf markets, with future plans for figs, grapes, and apples to be exported as well.

Iraq is a net food import country that heavily relies on other countries to feed its population. With the exception of Kurdish wheat in the north, the country almost exclusively imports its wheat, a problematic situation that has been exacerbated by the Russo-Ukrainian War, involving two countries that provide more than a quarter of the global wheat supply, according to a Dec. 2022 United Nations report.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/33 ... to-Baghdad

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KRG to Export Apples to UAE

Apples from the Kurdistan Region's Kani Mase district in Duhok province are set to be exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the near future, a Kurdish official said on Sunday

As the apple season nears its conclusion, apples suitable for export are now housed in warehouses, with only the packaging process remaining. "The rest will be used for other items, and once the process is completed, we will export directly," Ahmad Jamil, the Director of Agriculture in Duhok, told Kurdistan 24.

This move comes as part of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) ninth cabinet's extensive focus on the agricultural sector. The KRG has been working to transition from an import-heavy approach to an export-oriented one. The move is expected to involve diplomatic efforts to open export routes for Kurdistan's products to foreign markets, boosting domestic production.

Earlier in January, Jalil Salihi, the supervisor of the pomegranate export project in the prime minister's office, highlighted that the upcoming strategy will include the establishment of an institution for agricultural products. This institution will facilitate the export of Kurdish agricultural goods to the Gulf countries, European Union, and the UK.

The official noted at the time that other than pomegranates, the KRG was also gearing up to export apples, grapes, and honey. Plans are in motion to further support farmers and streamline the process of exporting their produce to international markets.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/829239

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Pomegranates to European Markets

Kurdistan Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources on Wednesday announced the export of 100 tons of domestic pomegranates to European markets, marking the first stage of exports, with plans for further shipments

The Ministry said in a statement that local pomegranate products from Zakho and Halabja were meticulously packaged into special boxes and sent to French and British markets. The initial phase involved shipping 100 tons, with projections to export over 1,000 tons of pomegranates to the European Union.

In the previous year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources exported 2,000 tons of pomegranates to the Gulf Arab countries, indicating a growing demand for Kurdistan Region's agricultural produce in various international markets.

Hiwa Ali, a spokesperson for the Ministry, explained to BasNews that the Kurdistan Region's pomegranates, along with other products, are highly sought after in both Arab countries and Europe.

Delegations frequently visit to obtain product samples and establish production, storage, and export conditions. Once these requirements are met, exports are initiated. The key agricultural products currently being harvested and prepared for export include honey, apples, and grapes.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/829599

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Water and Infrastructure Projects

The Governor of Erbil, Omed Khoshnaw, was received by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Baghdad on Monday, discussing Baghdad’s support for a number of infrastructure projects in Erbil

The meeting primarily focused on service projects in Erbil province. Khoshnaw addressed concerns about climate change, emphasizing its impact on Erbil, including water shortage problems and groundwater depletion. He highlighted various projects submitted to the Presidency of the Federal Council of Ministers to address these issues.

The Governor briefed Prime Minister Sudani on a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, where Erbil officials discussed the initiation of the fourth sewerage line project. This strategic project aims to significantly alleviate water scarcity in Erbil. Khoshnaw noted that Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide a loan for the project, with all procedures completed, awaiting the prime minister's consent.

During the meeting, Sudani expressed his respect for Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and assured full support, cooperation, and facilitation to address the mentioned challenges. The Iraqi premier pledged to assist in finding solutions to the pressing issues raised by Governor Khoshnaw.

Khoshnaw, leading a delegation, arrived in Baghdad on Monday with a proposal for several Erbil projects totaling 14 billion dinars. During a news conference, he highlighted the ongoing efforts to address Erbil's crucial water and infrastructure needs, seeking collaboration and support from the Iraqi government. The meeting between Erbil officials and Prime Minister Sudani marks a step toward addressing these pressing challenges.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/830137

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Govt's Development Projects

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday called on all political parties in the Region to stand behind the government so that they can deliver on their promise of better and moder public services

"In order to develop the economic sector, we need to connect markets in the Kurdistan Region. And this is viable when we have good roads to ease travel and reduce travel duration," the Kurdish leader said during remarks he made in Zakho while laying the foundation stone for an industrial complex and a recycling factory.

In recent years, we have worked on this aspect of the economy. We now have modern roads connecting cities and towns in the Kurdistan Region."

On the recycling factory, the prime minister stressed that the plant is designed to create good paying jobs and contribute to ongoing efforts to protect the environment.

He also urged all political parties in the Kurdistan Region as well as friends and allies to support the development agenda of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to deliver better public services.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/830728

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KRG / Baghdad Budget Talks

A high-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is due to visit Baghdad on Monday to meet with federal authorities on budget issues

The KRG delegation will be led by the head of the Diwan, Omed Sabah, Kurdistan 24 reported today.

They will be meeting with Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to push for lasting solutions to outstanding problems between Erbil and Baghdad, including to Kurdistan's financial entitlements and necessary amendments to the budget law to ensure a smooth budget flow to the Region.

Recently, Erbil has encountered difficulties in ensuring timely salary payments to its civil servants due to Baghdad persistently violating the Iraqi constitution and financial entitlements of the people of the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdistan Region is seeking enduring solutions to address these ongoing issues in its relationship with Baghdad within the framework of the country's constitution and standing agreements between the two.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/831452

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Japan’s rich experience

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region could benefit from Japan’s experience and success story, as the nations share a similar history of war and destruction as well as resilience, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said

The premier on Tuesday morning in Erbil attended an event, highlighting the projects of Japan’s flagship development agency JICA – standing for Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Describing Japan as “one of the biggest and most modern countries in the world,” Barzani said the Asian country’s “successful experience” is worth taking lessons from in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in investing in human capital and educating a new generation on innovation, respecting time, love for the homeland, protecting national identity.

The premier said both nations have gone through wars, destructions, and conflicts, adding Japan emerged as a modern country following the Second World War only through the power of “human capital”.

Barzani extended his gratitude to the people and government of Japan as well as JICA which had helped the Kurdistan Region in various sectors, particularly in water and sewage projects, electricity, and agriculture.

The Asian development agency has also provided capacity-building training for KRG employees in various sectors. The premier hoped that the public servants who had been trained by JICA to use the gained skills in developing the Kurdistan Region.

"I hope the cooperation [between Japan and Kurdistan Region] to expand, so it can support the comprehensive reform program that we have embarked on," Barzani said.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/33 ... PM-Barzani

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Construction of Duhok Airport

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The construction of Duhok International Airport has resumed after an indefinite halt, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)

The airport is to be built on about 1,000 hectares of land

Duhok Governor Ali Tatar said, "The old design of the Duhok International Airport, which was previously installed, has been changed on the orders of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and a new design has been installed."

The Ministry of Transport and Communications will implement the construction of the airport in two phases.

Dilan Rashad, spokesman for the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, said: "The project will go through two phases, the first phase is to review the master plan and design of the project, and the second phase will involve constructing the airport, [...] which costs $12.8 million.

In the past, work on the Duhok International Airport project has been intermittently halted due to financial crises. However, in Sep. 2021, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani visited the site and said: "Work on the project should be resumed."

Initially conceived in 2012, oversight of the airport's construction has often been redelegated and stuck in a quagmire, with Lebanese and Korean companies unable to come to terms with KRG leadership on the direction of the project.

Duhok is the second-largest province in the Kurdish region and has a population of over 1.2 million. The province is known for its mountainous scenery and ancient archaeological sites.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/33 ... rt-resumes

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Kurdistan to Export Honey Abroad

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani unveiled plans to export the region's honey to international markets in a video released on Wednesday. Building on the success of exporting pomegranates and potatoes, the Prime Minister personally supervised the honey export process, anticipating entry into markets in Canada and Europe

Prime Minister Barzani emphasized the region's commitment to diversifying the economy and supporting agriculture, recognizing the superior quality of Kurdistan honey. The ninth cabinet's vision involves reducing dependence on oil revenues and actively engaging the private sector to enhance the export process within the Kurdistan Region.

After rigorous testing in UAE laboratories, Kurdistan honey has earned global recognition for its exceptional quality. With a 2022 production nearing 1,100 tons, efforts are underway to meet external demand, aligning with the ninth cabinet's goals to further diversify the region's economy and decrease reliance on oil revenues

Collaborations with local private sector companies are driving marketing initiatives for Kurdistan honey. Major purchasers, including Carrefour-Iraq, Talabat Iraq, and international buyers like Qatar, have already made substantial commitments. Ongoing discussions with the UAE and Jordan indicate a sustained interest in receiving Kurdistan honey exports.

Razgar Hamad, an advisor in the Ministry of Agriculture, underscored Kurdistan honey's triumph in international competitions, particularly in France, Italy, Greece, and Saudi Arabia. The honey's exceptional quality, characterized by its color, aroma, taste, and low sugar content below world standards, positions Kurdistan favorably for future expansion into global markets. Continuous efforts are underway to broaden export reach into additional European countries.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/831853

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Kurdistan Honey Export to Qatar

In a move aimed at diversifying its economy, supporting local farmers, and bolstering the private sector, the Kurdistan Government (KRG) has commenced the export of high-quality honey to Qatar

Two tons of this golden produce arrived in Doha on Wednesday, November 29, marking a pivotal step in realizing the objectives outlined by the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

The export initiative, under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Prime Minister's Office, and the private sector, involves over 200 beekeepers.

This endeavor is expected to generate around 100 jobs and foster new relationships with vendors and markets not only in Qatar but across the Gulf region.

The honey, originating from various regions within the Kurdistan Region, has already seen success in the local markets of Kurdistan and Iraq. The availability of this high-quality honey in local markets next month is anticipated to provide a boost to Kurdistan's beekeeping community.

Prime Minister Barzani, expressing his satisfaction with the venture, emphasized the importance of economic diversification, farmer support, and private sector strengthening. In a Facebook post, he affirmed, "Economic diversification, supporting farmers, and strengthening the private sector are the promises we will fulfill."

He also highlighted the significance of honey as a national product and celebrated the successful export of more than two tons of honey to Qatar by air. Acknowledging the substantial participation of over 200 beekeepers in this export campaign, he reiterated the KRG's commitment to finding domestic markets within the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

This milestone in honey export not only signifies economic growth for the Kurdistan Region but also establishes a foundation for future exports and trade opportunities between the Kurdistan Region and Gulf countries.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/831863