Kurdistan Region Wins First Place at UAE’s 2026 AIM Investment Awards
Iman Wishyar Ismael, head of marketing and communications at Invest Kurdistan, told Kurdistan24 on Monday, that the Kurdistan Region won first place in the international projects category at the annual investment congress.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region secured first place among more than 180 countries at the UAE’s 2026 Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress in Dubai on Monday, with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Investment Board also announcing that foreign investment projects have created nearly 75,000 direct jobs for local workers and youth.
Iman Wishyar Ismael, head of marketing and communications at Invest Kurdistan, told Kurdistan24 on Monday, that the Kurdistan Region won first place in the international projects category at the annual investment congress.
Wishyar said the award followed the KRG Investment Board’s submission of an industrial-sector project carried out by a UAE investor. The project, which received an investment license in the Kurdistan Region last year, was selected as the world’s top project in the category.
Kurdistan Region representatives attended the award ceremony in Dubai wearing traditional Kurdish clothing and carrying the Kurdistan flag.
Agriculture, tourism among investment priorities
Wishyar said the KRG has prioritized several sectors for attracting foreign investment, with agriculture placed first under the ninth cabinet led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, followed by tourism, technology, artificial intelligence, and industry.
“In light of the achievements of the ninth cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the agricultural sector has been placed at the forefront, followed by tourism, and then technology, artificial intelligence, and industry,” she said.
She added that the Kurdistan Region’s fertile land and favorable natural conditions provide strong incentives for foreign investors to explore opportunities in agriculture and tourism.
Nearly 75,000 jobs created
Wishyar revealed that investment projects in the Kurdistan Region have so far created nearly 75,000 direct jobs for local workers and young people.
She also highlighted the Region’s political and security stability, saying it has helped establish the Kurdistan Region as a peaceful and trusted hub for major international companies.
According to Wishyar, the KRG is continuing efforts to position the Kurdistan Region as a key gateway for trade and economic development across the wider region.
About the AIM Investment Awards
The AIM Investment Awards are presented annually during the Annual Investment Meeting Congress and recognize Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) for successful efforts to attract foreign direct investment.
Launched in 2013, the awards have developed into an international platform recognizing major foreign investment projects facilitated by IPAs. The awards focus on investment promotion strategies, innovation, sustainable economic growth, national development, and long-term value creation.