Kurdistan Region to Host Major Economic Forum with Türkiye, Azerbaijan
Hundreds of businessmen and investors expected in Erbil as officials seek to expand trade and land-based commercial links
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Hundreds of businessmen and investors are expected to gather in Erbil this month for a joint economic and investment forum aimed at strengthening trade and economic ties between the Kurdistan Region, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, particularly through land routes.
Preparations are underway for the trilateral economic and investment forum, which is scheduled to be held in Erbil on September 20, according to Ibrahim Agha Gardi, a member of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Gardi told Kurdistan24 that the forum will focus on expanding economic and commercial relations among the three sides and creating greater opportunities for trade and investment.
He said around 130 participants from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s central and southern provinces are expected to attend, alongside approximately 150 businessmen and company owners from Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
The Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry member said the Kurdistan Region is seeking through the forum to increase land-based trade with Azerbaijan.
“The land route between the Kurdistan Region and Azerbaijan takes only seven hours, and we can expand trade further in the future,” Gardi said.
Economic and diplomatic relations between the Kurdistan Region and Azerbaijan have expanded significantly in recent years, particularly following several official visits by senior Kurdistan Region officials to Baku and meetings with Azerbaijan’s president.
The growing relationship has opened new opportunities for greater commercial cooperation between the two sides, including transportation and trade through land routes.
Türkiye, meanwhile, remains the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s largest trading partner, with annual bilateral trade reaching several billion dollars.
The planned forum is expected to provide a platform for businesses from the three markets to explore new investment opportunities, strengthen commercial partnerships and improve regional trade connectivity.