An American trade and investment delegation has arrived in Erbil to evaluate opportunities in non-oil sectors. The delegation plans to meet with Prime Minister Mesrur Barzani to discuss large-scale projects and commercial cooperation in the Kurdistan Region.
Muhammed Shukri, Chairman of the Kurdistan Region Investment Board, stated that the delegation represents a major American company operating in 18 countries. Shukri emphasized that the visit is part of efforts to attract new capital to the region and that American investments are seen as a key element of this strategy.
Priority Sectors
Shukri identified urban development, health, and tourism as priority sectors. He conveyed that the Prime Minister wants global companies to assess the conditions on the ground and implement strategic projects in the future.
The official also announced a special economic forum to bring together the Kurdistan Region and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, scheduled for next July in Washington. This forum is intended to be part of the goal to attract foreign capital and strengthen bilateral economic relations.
Presence of U.S. Companies in the Region
According to official company registration data, there are currently 169 American companies registered in the Kurdistan Region. Of these, 155 operate in Erbil across various commercial sectors.
Economic contacts between Erbil and Washington have increased recently. Last October, a high-level delegation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, including representatives from companies such as Google, IBM, Visa, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola, visited the Kurdistan Region.
During that visit, Mesrur Barzani outlined the economic reform agenda and stated that the region is working to create a more attractive investment environment. He also highlighted that the Kurdistan Region’s young workforce and strategic location could serve as a gateway for American companies to the Iraqi and broader Middle Eastern markets.
The American delegation reviewed strategic investments such as the Erbil Emergency Water Project and visited the information technology unit to observe the government’s digital transformation efforts. Steps toward a paperless administrative system were noted to particularly attract the interest of technology companies.
Steve Lutes, Vice President for Middle East Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, described the previous visit as a strong indicator of the Kurdistan Region’s economic potential. Wendy Green, U.S. Consul General in Erbil, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships for sustainable economic growth.
The arrival of the new American delegation demonstrates the Kurdistan Region’s ongoing efforts to attract international investors and become a regional economic hub.
