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

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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

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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

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Kurdistan Delegation Attends SelectUSA
Investment Summit in Washington

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A delegation of 46 business leaders from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region is participating in the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit, held from November 11 to 14 in Washington, D.C., the US Embassy in Baghdad announced on Sunday

The delegation, which has already arrived in the United States, represents a broad array of sectors, including technology, cybersecurity, tourism, hospitality, food and beverage, trade, agriculture, construction, investment, pharmaceuticals, real estate, and oil and gas. Their participation underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen economic and investment ties between Iraq and the United States.

The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the largest US event dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment. Organized by the US Department of Commerce, it brings together international investors with representatives from US state and local governments to explore business opportunities and streamline the investment process.

The US Embassy highlighted the importance of the initiative in supporting Iraqi entrepreneurs and business leaders in identifying opportunities for growth and partnership in the US market.

Earlier in April, more than 100 members of the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry took part in a major business forum in Baghdad, reflecting the deepening commercial engagement between the two nations.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... nomic-ties

[Anthea]

Cement Plant Gateway to
Broader Economic Growth

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Dabin Cement Factory and Power Station in Erbil, framing the project as a symbol of industrial ambition, environmental responsibility, and the Kurdistan Region's economic transformation

Standing on the very site where the foundation stone had been laid less than two years ago, PM Barzani lauded the completion of the complex on schedule, crediting the combined efforts of local engineers and international partners for turning vision into reality. The project, a joint initiative between Dabin Group and Power China, is now one of the largest industrial installations in the region.

"It is truly commendable that work of this nature and quality has been completed so quickly," the Prime Minister declared. “It is a source of pride and honor to see local capabilities, together with the cooperation of our friends from abroad, able to establish the industrial sector in Kurdistan in this way."

With an annual production capacity exceeding two million tons of cement, the Dabin factory is expected to meet a significant share of both regional and Iraqi market demand. The adjacent 52-megawatt power station ensures energy self-sufficiency for the facility while contributing to the local power grid.

Barzani paid special tribute to the project's adherence to environmental standards, praising the installation of advanced smoke and gas filtration systems. “I commend the project implementers for considering environmental protection,” he said. “I hope that all other places will take this into consideration and make it a fundamental part of their work—how we respect our nature and protect our environment.”

Beyond industrial output, the project has already created over 1,200 jobs for local residents, aligning with the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) wider economic policy of supporting the private sector and expanding employment opportunities. “This is another part of the KRG’s promise,” Barzani said, “that, with the support of the private sector, we provide job opportunities for the people of the Kurdistan Region.”

Barzani’s speech also pointed to broader economic development plans, referencing the nearby Gomespan Dam tourism project as evidence of a multi-sectoral strategy encompassing agriculture, tourism, and industry. He emphasized that the KRG’s long-standing policy of revenue diversification and economic infrastructure development was proving both correct and necessary.

“These are the initial steps,” Barzani stated. “Kurdistan is very rich and there is more potential for us to focus on developing economic infrastructure in all other parts of Kurdistan, in every city and town.”

The Prime Minister also reiterated the importance of maintaining political stability and regional security as preconditions for sustained economic progress. “As long as stability and security continue in the region, Kurdistan will undoubtedly take more steps toward progress,” he said.

Barzani closed his address with a message of optimism and national pride, thanking Dabin Group and Power China for their contributions and expressing hope for more large-scale development projects across Kurdistan. “We look forward to similar projects being implemented in other parts of our beloved Kurdistan, God willing. May Kurdistan always prosper.”

Transcript of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's speech:

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Distinguished attendees, honored guests, you are very welcome, and I am very pleased that today we are participating with you in the opening ceremony of this large company. It was at this site, two years ago, that we came and laid the foundation stone for the cement factory constructed by Dabin Group and Power China, who both designed and undertook the implementation.

Less than two years ago we were here, and now, on schedule, we see the results. It is truly commendable that work of this nature and quality has been completed so quickly. It is a source of pride and honor to see local capabilities, together with the cooperation of our friends from abroad, able to establish the industrial sector in Kurdistan in this way, marking the beginning of even greater steps in the future.

What is especially pleasing is seeing the great importance given to environmental protection here, with filters for all the smoke and gases that would otherwise become an environmental problem. This issue has been resolved. I commend the project implementers for considering environmental protection, and I hope that all other places will take this into consideration and make it a fundamental part of their work - how we respect our nature and protect our environment.

The production of this factory is more than two million and nearly 100,000 tons of cement annually, which will undoubtedly meet a large portion of the Kurdistan Region's needs and at the Iraqi level as well. There are several other similar projects in the Kurdistan Region. This indicates that Kurdistan is a suitable place for developing the industrial sector. We will continue to encourage, support, and back the private sector in implementing such projects that serve the people of Kurdistan.

What is gratifying, as we have heard again, is that more than 1,200 job opportunities have been created for the local people. This is another part of the Kurdistan Regional Government's promise that, with the support of the private sector, we provide job opportunities for the people of the Kurdistan Region. I commend you for the excellent work you are doing.

Right next to this project, there is another large tourism project, the Gomespan Dam. Therefore, the promises made by the Kurdistan Regional Government for developing the agricultural, industrial, and tourism sectors are gradually being realized, and many of them are being implemented. But this is just the beginning, these are the initial steps. Kurdistan is very rich and there is more potential for us to focus on developing economic infrastructure in all other parts of Kurdistan, in all other places, in every city and town. Where needed, we give importance to the industrial sector, and where needed, we focus on the tourism sector. As you know, for the agricultural sector as well, we have been investing considerably for some time and have encouraged our farmers to continue developing the agricultural sector.

All these sectors together remind us once again that the Kurdistan Regional Government's policy for diversifying and expanding the Kurdistan Region's revenue and developing economic infrastructure has been correct and legitimate. We will continue to enhance our relations with friendly and neighboring countries and abroad to further focus on Kurdistan's development, so that prosperity in Kurdistan continues to advance day by day. As long as stability and security continue in the region, Kurdistan will undoubtedly take more steps toward progress, and our hope is that our people, the people of Kurdistan, and those who visit Kurdistan, can live in peace, security, and confidence, looking toward a brighter future.

Once again, I commend the implementers of this major project. I commend Dabin Group and Power China, and I hope they will always be successful. We look forward to similar projects and other projects being implemented in other parts of our beloved Kurdistan, God willing.

Once again, well done, thank you for your attendance, and may you always be successful. May Kurdistan always prosper.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/839887/this-is-just-the-beginning-pm-barzani-sees-cement-plant-as-gateway-to-broader-economic-growth

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Kurdistan and US Multi-Billion Dollar Energy Deals

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — “A new phase of Kurdistan-USA ties begins as we sign two multi-billion dollar deals with HKN Energy and WesternZagros Resources. These deals will power millions, create jobs, and strengthen the foundation of Kurdistan’s economy,” Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani declared Tuesday on X, unveiling two historic energy agreements between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and American firms HKN Energy and WesternZagros

Signed in Washington, D.C. during a high-profile ceremony hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the agreements mark a pivotal development in Kurdistan’s economic strategy and deepening partnership with the United States. The event brought together senior U.S. officials and business leaders, including Steve Lutes, Vice President of Middle East Affairs at the U.S. Chamber, to witness what PM Barzani hailed as a “milestone in U.S.-Kurdistan relations.”

“These agreements underscore Kurdistan’s commitment to peace and progress through economic development,” Barzani said in his keynote remarks. “Both HKN and WesternZagros have long operated in our region and have played a vital role in driving growth that benefits not only the people of Kurdistan but all of Iraq.”

Barzani emphasized the importance of the deals as part of the KRG’s broader reforms in the energy sector, aimed at solving long-standing electricity shortages, decreasing dependency on fuel imports, and enabling future exports of surplus power. “Our government is focused on long-term, sustainable energy solutions. These new investments are critical for realizing that vision,” he added.

Billions in Value, Power for Millions

The first agreement, signed with Miran Energy—a joint venture between HKN Energy and ONEX—targets the development of the Miran gas field, which contains an estimated 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas. According to Acting Minister of Natural Resources Kamal Mohammed, initial production is expected to range between 50 to 70 million standard cubic feet per day (scf/d) following an 18- to 20-month exploration phase. This production is intended to be integrated into the Kurdistan power grid, relieving pressure on electricity generation facilities and reducing reliance on imported fuel.

The second agreement, signed with WesternZagros, focuses on the development of the Topkhana field, containing 5 tcf of gas and an estimated 9 million barrels of oil. This will further enhance Kurdistan’s energy output and help fuel industries that are currently reliant on less efficient black oil.

Minister Mohammed explained that Kurdistan’s actual electricity generation hovers between 4,000 to 4,500 megawatts (MW), despite having an installed capacity of 8,189 MW. The region’s gas-based power plants require around 1.1 billion scf of gas daily, yet current output from fields like Khor Mor and Khurmala only supplies approximately 650 million scf/d. The new deals are expected to significantly close this gap.

“This is not just about powering homes,” Mohammed said. “It’s about fueling our cement, steel, and manufacturing sectors. It’s about building an economy rooted in local resources.”

$110 Billion in Untapped Potential

The combined estimated market value of the Miran and Topkhana fields is around $110 billion—$40 billion for Miran and $70 billion for Topkhana. While these figures are preliminary, they underscore the vast potential these resources hold for transforming Kurdistan’s economy.

Beyond domestic supply, surplus gas could be routed to southern Iraq or even exported regionally, creating long-term economic benefits and further anchoring the Kurdistan Region as a key energy player in the region.

Political and Economic Strategy

These agreements come at a critical time. Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region have faced delays due to legal and financial disputes with Baghdad. Although over 11.8 million barrels of Kurdish oil have been delivered to the Iraqi Oil Ministry over the past five months, the KRG has yet to receive payments or reimbursement for company entitlements and regional dues.

The deals also symbolize a strategic pivot in U.S.-Kurdistan relations—one that builds on a shared legacy of security cooperation and now evolves toward economic partnership. “This marks the beginning of a new era for our region,” Barzani said. “Economic development and energy investment are powerful tools that can deepen our relationship and strengthen our bonds.”

Looking Ahead

As Kurdistan looks to the future, these investments are poised to generate thousands of jobs, stabilize electricity for millions, stimulate industrial growth, and reinforce the KRG’s autonomy in managing its natural resources.

Prime Minister Barzani closed the Washington ceremony by thanking the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and expressing optimism about future cooperation. “I congratulate the people of Kurdistan and Iraq, as well as our American partners. This is a great achievement—for all of us.”

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/84 ... ergy-deals