A UAE government delegation arrived in Erbil today, Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., led by Saeed Mubarak Alhajri, Minister of State and Special Envoy for Business in the Kurdistan Region. They were warmly welcomed in Erbil. Moreover, the visit reflects a mutual desire to strengthen commercial relations and investment cooperation. Consequently, the trip highlights growing economic engagement between the UAE and Kurdistan.
Following the visit, the President of Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, stated: “I’m glad to have welcomed Saeed Al Hajeri, the UAE Minister of State and Special Envoy for Economic Affairs to the Kurdistan Region. I extend my sincere appreciation to the leadership of UAE for their support to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. His appointment is a significant step that affirms the UAE’s commitment to our strong ties. We discussed our long-standing relationship and ways to expand cooperation, with a shared commitment to expanding investment and partnership opportunities.”
The visit follows the President of Kurdistan’s April 2025 trip to the UAE, where he participated in Abu Dhabi’s annual investment forum. At that time, he met Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the UAE. Furthermore, Barzani emphasized the UAE’s commitment to creating investment opportunities in Kurdistan and across Iraq. Additionally, he noted that the Special Envoy for private investment is part of efforts to facilitate UAE investors in the region. Therefore, the delegation’s visit builds on ongoing high-level diplomatic and economic engagement.
Simultaneously, a delegation of Kurdistan investors visited the UAE. This delegation represents the Kurdistan Region’s investment sector and seeks to attract more UAE investment into local projects. Moreover, the visit allows local investors to study the UAE’s experience in business, tourism, and economic development. Additionally, it encourages strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange between the two regions. Consequently, both sides aim to boost trade, investment, and sectoral growth.
The UAE remains one of the largest investors in Kurdistan, with around 150 companies operating in oil, gas, and agriculture. Moreover, the region hopes to benefit from the UAE’s expertise in tourism, given the country attracts over 14 million visitors annually. Additionally, lessons from UAE development can support Kurdistan’s economic diversification and infrastructure projects. Therefore, the exchanges strengthen Kurdistan’s business environment while offering growth opportunities for UAE investors.
Finally, the visit highlights long-term economic collaboration between the UAE and Kurdistan. Moreover, it strengthens bilateral trade and investment ties, ensuring a stable and prosperous partnership. Consequently, these initiatives support sustainable development, increased investment flows, and stronger regional cooperation.
