A major livestock project is set to open in Erbil after three years of construction, officials announced, with plans to create around 1,000 jobs for local residents.
The Megal Project, built on one million square meters along the Erbil-Gwer road, about 20 kilometers from the city center, is designed to meet international standards. It has the capacity to slaughter 3,000 sheep and 400 goats per hour, according to Bargasht Akraiy, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Board of Investment.
The project includes multiple facilities, such as factories for repairing animal hooves, storing and tanning skins, and cleaning stomachs and intestines. “All health and environmental standards have been fully considered,” Akraiy added.
Costing $100 million, the Megal Project aims to become a modern trade hub for importing, exporting, selling, and buying livestock—including sheep, goats, and cattle—not only in Kurdistan but across Iraq. The inauguration will be attended by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
The investment is part of the KRG’s broader strategy to develop the agricultural sector and reduce dependence on oil revenue. Currently, the Kurdish market relies heavily on imported animals from Iran and Syria, as well as foreign dairy products to meet local demand.
By establishing a large-scale, modern livestock and trade facility, the Megal Project is expected to strengthen food security, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the Kurdistan Region’s economic diversification.