Erbil will host a major trilateral economic and investment forum on September 20 to strengthen regional commercial partnerships. Hundreds of investors and corporate leaders will gather in the regional capital to discuss expanded trade and investment opportunities.
Ibrahim Agha Gardi, a board member of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry, detailed the preparations for the event. Organizers expect around 130 business representatives from the Kurdistan Region and southern Iraqi provinces to attend.
In addition, approximately 150 commercial leaders and company executives from Türkiye and Azerbaijan will participate in the discussions. The gathering will provide a platform for establishing direct corporate partnerships across multiple economic sectors.
Regional organizers are prioritizing the expansion of land-based commercial transport links connecting the Kurdistan Region with Azerbaijani markets. Direct overland transit routes between the Kurdistan Region and Azerbaijan currently require approximately seven hours of travel.
Bilateral diplomatic and commercial engagement between Erbil and Baku has expanded significantly following high-level political visits in recent years. Moreover, meetings between senior regional officials and Azerbaijan’s presidency have created new opportunities for cross-border investment.
Türkiye remains a major trading partner for both the Kurdistan Region and broader Iraq. Annual bilateral trade between the neighboring economies reaches several billion dollars across various commercial sectors.
Hosting the trilateral forum aligns with regional strategic goals to establish northern Iraq as a major trade crossroads. Moving forward, participating corporate delegates will explore new infrastructure, logistics, and industrial manufacturing projects across the three markets.