Erbil received a high-level United Arab Emirates delegation to strengthen political and commercial relations.
The delegation, led by Saeed Mubarak Rashid Al Hajeri, UAE Minister of State and Special Envoy for Kurdistan, was welcomed by Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw and Head of KRG Foreign Relations Safin Dizayee.
The visit highlights over $3.3 billion in Emirati investments and follows a recent KRG delegation trip to the UAE. This reciprocal engagement signals a growing partnership and stronger regional economic ties.
During the visit, the delegation will hold meetings with senior KRG officials to discuss opportunities in industry, tourism, agriculture, construction, and renewable energy. The discussions also aim to enhance job creation and economic diversification beyond hydrocarbons.
Pana Niazi, Head of the Marketing Department at the KRG Foreign Investment Attraction Unit, said Emirati investors will receive full support to expand operations. She confirmed that this effort is the first step in a four-year strategy to attract Gulf investors and other international partners.
The UAE is already one of Erbil’s largest trading partners, with more than 120 companies operating in the region, including 15 large-scale enterprises. Joint ventures have contributed approximately $420 million in additional investments, covering 461 dunams across multiple sectors.
These investments have created over 150,000 job opportunities in the Kurdistan Region over the past four years. Authorities credit the growing UAE commercial presence with reinforcing local economic stability and encouraging further foreign capital inflows.
This visit follows recent developments that underscore Erbil’s rising reputation as an investment hub. A U.S. business delegation, representing 32 companies, also visited the region recently, signaling confidence in its stability and business potential.
The KRG’s ninth cabinet has prioritized attracting foreign investment as a key pillar of its economic strategy. Through strategic outreach, high-level delegations, and supportive policies, Erbil continues to position itself as a reliable destination for international capital.
The UAE envoy’s visit, combined with ongoing investment initiatives, signals a new era of strengthened economic cooperation, sustainable development, and regional prosperity.