The Netherlands ready to foster trade, investment ties with Kurdistan Region: Dutch trade minister

Barzani, in turn, thanked the Dutch delegation for the support the Netherlands has provided the Kurdistan Region.

Kurdistan 24 2022/04/28 18:59

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (right) during his meeting with the Dutch trade minister, Liesje Schreinemacher in Erbil, Apr. 28, 2022. (Photo: KRG)

Kurdistan Krg Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Netherlands is ready to strengthen trade, investment, and agricultural ties with the Kurdistan Region, the country's trade minister told Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday, according to a statement.

The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher arrived in Erbil on Wednesday, where she was received by the Kurdistan Region's foreign relations officials.

Barzani and Schreinemacher discussed a wide range of topics, including economic and revenue diversification, strengthening the banking system, supporting small businesses, and the impacts of climate change, according to a statement from the prime minister's office.

“We have an important relationship with the Netherlands,” Prime Minister Barzani tweeted after the meeting.

“They train our Peshmerga; empower startups and entreprenuers, and now help increase agriculture production and investment.”

“I thanked @LSchreinemacher for their support in our reform and diversification agenda.”

We have an important relationship with the Netherlands. They train our Peshmerga; empower startups and entrepreneurs, and now help increase agriculture production and investment.

I thanked @LSchreinemacher for their support in our reform and diversification agenda. pic.twitter.com/h9vcdBNpO9
— Masrour Barzani (@masrour_barzani) April 28, 2022

The Dutch official expressed her country's willingness to develop trade, agricultural, and investment ties with the Kurdistan Region region, the statement added.

Later in the day Schreinemacher tweeted that they discussed cooperation in agriculture and water management during the meeting.

Moreover, she said the Dutch government supports “the development of the private sector in this region to create jobs and income.”

Barzani thanked the Dutch delegation for the support the Netherlands has provided the Kurdistan Region.

The minister conveyed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's greetings to his Kurdish counterpart.

The Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation @LSchreinemacher met with PM @masrour_barzani. Discussions were about the important Dutch role in agriculture and supporting entrepreneurs, whereby diversification of the economy and a safe and stable #KRI are important. pic.twitter.com/brpL0nU2iu
— Hans Akerboom (@jtmakerboom) April 28, 2022

The Dutch Ambassador to Iraq and consul general also attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Barzani visited the Netherlands in late 2020 and met with his Dutch counterpart to discuss bilateral ties between the Kurdistan Region and the Netherlands.