Photostory: Prime Minister Masrour Barzani Tours HITEX 2026

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani opened the seventh HITEX International Technology Exhibition in Erbil on Tuesday morning, touring its stands and meeting young innovators presenting new technologies from the Kurdistan Region and abroad.

The exhibition, held at the Erbil International Fairground in Sami Abdulrahman Park, brings together more than 150 technology companies and startups and is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors during its four-day run from Oct. 6 to 9.

After officially opening the event, Prime Minister Barzani moved through different sections of the exhibition, examining technological products and speaking directly with young people about their ideas and innovations.

Artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, fintech, telecommunications, the Internet of Things and consumer technology are among the main areas represented at this year’s exhibition.

The event also features humanoid robots, specialized drones for firefighting and mine detection and clearance, as well as other technologies developed for practical and commercial use.

For Prime Minister Barzani, however, the strongest impression appeared to come from the young people behind the technology.

"I am pleased to see that Kurdistan’s future will be in the hands of people like these," he said.

"Undoubtedly, Kurdistan’s success and progress can already be seen in their eyes."

The Prime Minister said he was particularly pleased to hear directly from young innovators about how their ideas had developed and what inspired their work.

"I was therefore very pleased to speak with them about their innovations, to learn what they have developed and where their ideas came from," he said. "It is a source of pride."

HITEX 2026 includes participants from more than 15 countries, along with over 30 startups and more than 40 expert speakers.

The exhibition also hosts panels, seminars, workshops and discussions on subjects including artificial intelligence, foreign investment, Iraq’s digital economy, government technology partnerships, cybersecurity, data and digital identity.

For startups and smaller companies, the event provides space to present products, meet potential investors and build connections with regional and international businesses.

Since its launch in 2019, HITEX has grown into an annual platform bringing together technology companies, entrepreneurs, startups and investors in Erbil.

This year’s edition places particular emphasis on artificial intelligence and digital transformation, while also giving local innovators an opportunity to present their work alongside international companies.

Tuesday’s opening offered a visual snapshot of that mix: robots and drones, startup displays, technology demonstrations and groups of young innovators explaining their work directly to the Prime Minister.

For Prime Minister Barzani, the exhibition’s significance was ultimately tied to the people behind those displays.

His message during the tour was that the technology on show matters, but the young people creating and developing it matter even more.