Turkey Seeks to Expand Trade with Kurdistan Region
Both sides exchanged views on mechanisms to enhance trade facilitation and improve logistics for businesses operating between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A senior Turkish delegation visited the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing on Tuesday to discuss expanding trade and facilitating cross-border movement between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region.
Turkish Delegation Visits Border Crossing
Bürol Ekeci, the governor of Shrnakh, accompanied by Mehmet Yarka, the mayor of Shrnakh, and Osman Gelis, the head of the city’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, met with Hamid Ali, the director of the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing.
According to a statement from the border authority, both sides exchanged views on mechanisms to enhance trade facilitation and improve logistics for businesses operating between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey. The discussions also highlighted the need to streamline border procedures, boost trade volume, and ease travel for tourists between the two sides.
Strong Economic and Tourism Ties
Economic and tourism relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region have played a key role in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Trade between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region has witnessed significant growth in recent years. Kamaran Bajgar, deputy head of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce, stated that approximately 1,900 Turkish companies are currently operating and investing in the Kurdistan Region.
Between January and October 2024, the total trade volume between Iraq and Turkey reached $9.6 billion, with 30% of that—roughly $2.88 billion—accounting for trade with the Kurdistan Region.
Boosting Tourism Cooperation
The Kurdistan Region has emerged as a key tourist destination, attracting visitors from across Iraq and neighboring countries, including Turkey. Known for its stunning landscapes and mild climate, the region has become particularly popular during the summer months.
In September 2024, Turkey’s Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, Erman Topçu, met with Duhok Governor Ali Tatar to discuss ways to facilitate tourism and strengthen bilateral ties in the sector.
