Japan to continue, broaden development projects in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Including ongoing projects that provide essential services, Japan is considering sharing its agricultural expertise with the Kurdistan Region to modernize the latter’s lagging sector, said the newly-appointed ambassador to Iraq, Naofumi Hashimoto.

The statement was made during a meeting between Hashimoto and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, in Erbil.

Japan “holds Kurdistan in high regard, and we have tried to implement strategic projects” in the region and are now “providing aid in the areas of water, dams, sewage, and electricity in Kurdistan, and will work to also have projects in [the] agricultural [sector],” according to a statement the office of Barzani released on Monday.

In June, the Netherlands revealed their country’s plan to share their international expertise in agricultural and water management practices with a number of Middle Eastern states, including the Kurdistan Region.

In the meeting, Hashimoto recognized the Kurdistan Region as “an important center for peace and stability,” adding that his country is willing to further develop its relations in all aspects as the aforementioned qualities are attractive to Japanese investors.

The region’s “security and stability encourage investment, and we will work” to further develop its welcoming business atmosphere.

On his end, Barzani declared his readiness to provide any and all assistance available required for the success of these projects and expressed his support for the strengthening of relations between the Kurdistan Region and Japan.

The two nations also spoke extensively about the formation of the new Iraqi government and the upcoming regional parliamentary election, due to be held on Sunday.

Editing by Nadia Riva