WASHINGTON Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A high level delegation from the
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) participated in a two-day conference in
Washington this week promoting investment and increased economic activity
between Iraq and the United States.
The Iraqi delegation, headed by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, included
strong representation from the KRG, including Chairman of the Kurdistan Board
of Investment Herish Muharam; Minister for Planning Osman Shwani; Minister for
Electricity Hoshyar Siwaily; Minister for Water Resources Tahsin Qadir; and
the three governors Tamar Ramadan (Dohuk), Nawzad Hadi (Erbil) and Dana Ahmed
Majeed (Suleimania).
"The Kurdistan Region is open for business and should be considered a gateway
for any investors doing business in Iraq," Mr. Muharam of the Investment Board
told the conference. "Participation in conferences like this gives us an
opportunity to highlight the investor-friendly climate of the Kurdistan Region
and discuss all the business potential that exists." He added, "We cannot do
this alone."
The conference's keynote address was delivered by U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton who outlined the priorities the U.S. has in Iraq: "First,
working to aid the Iraqi Government in its efforts to promote national unity
and resolve political conflicts, such as disputes over Kirkuk. Second, we will
support Iraq's efforts to build strong relationships with its neighbors in the
region. Third, we will promote the return and resettlement of Iraqi refugees
and internally displaced people, a critical step for healing society. And
fourth, we will support Iraq's economic development and full integration into
the global economy."
The U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference (USIBIC), co-hosted by the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Investment Council of Iraq, is part
of broader U.S. policy to normalize relations with Iraq and strengthen
economic partnerships as a way to foster democracy and federalism. The
conference focused on 12 industry sectors: agriculture, banking and finance,
defense, electricity, health, education, telecommunications, housing and
construction, industry, oil and gas, tourism, and transportation. During
breakout sessions, members of the KRG delegation provided detailed overviews
of particular sectors and discussed the investment needs.
Erbil Governor Hadi said, "The success of Kurdistan Region to rapidly develop
its infrastructure and business community reinforces the necessity for
federalism in Iraq, which should clearly be strengthened to encourage further
prosperity and opportunity for all."
More than 900 companies participated in the conference from October 19 to 21
in Washington. In addition to Secretary Clinton, speakers included Prime
Minister Maliki and U.S. National Security Advisor General James Jones. The
Iraq delegation included several ministers from the federal and regional
governments, including the KRG and other provinces, and members of the Iraqi
parliament.
"Business-to-business relationships form the foundation of enduring bonds
between nations and are particularly important for the future of our
relationship with the U.S.," said Qubad Talabani, KRG Representative to the
U.S. "Indeed, increased economic development will only serve to ensure the
sacrifices made by Americans in Iraq will lead to a free and prosperous
country."
The Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region in federal Iraq. With a
population of currently around 4 million and rapidly increasing, the three
governorates of Duhok, Erbil and Suleimania cover approximately 40,000 square
kilometers--four times the area of Lebanon and larger than that of the
Netherlands. The Kurdistan Region is considered to be the safest, most stable
Region in Iraq, and it is host to an ever expanding number of commercial and
trade initiatives.
For more information, please visit www.krg.org.
This has been distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the
Kurdistan Regional Government. More information is available at the US
Department of Justice, Washington, DC
SOURCE Kurdistan Regional Government
Renate Geerlings, +1-202-255-2744, rgeerlings@qorvis.com, for the Kurdistan
Regional Government
