Prime Minister Masrour Barzani Opens Industrial Projects In Zakho
Bateel subdistrict is the only area in all of Iraq and Kurdistan where unemployment has reached zero, with workers coming from other areas seeking jobs there, as Barzani calls on Kurdish investors to form joint ventures with foreign companies to advance the Region's industrial diversification
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani opened three important industrial projects in the automotive sector at the Zakho Autonomous Administration on Sunday including the first vehicle assembly plant in the Kurdistan Region's history, the establishment of Nissan Zakho as the primary distributor of all vehicles imported to Iraq, and the launch of Motor Plex, an automotive industry training and development hub, as he announced that Bateel subdistrict has achieved zero unemployment, the only area in all of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to do so.
The Japanese Consul, the Director of the Chinese Consulate General, and a representative of Jetour company attended the ceremony. Prime Minister Barzani extended special thanks to Mohanned Group and specifically to Ahmed Mushir and Ahmed Rekani for bringing these projects alongside Chinese and Japanese companies.
The Three Projects
The first project is the Jetour assembly facility, a Chinese company that will assemble vehicles in the Kurdistan Region for the first time, making it the first vehicle assembly operation in Kurdistan's history. "Jetour, which is a Chinese company, will be the first example in Kurdistan of connecting and assembling vehicles here in the Kurdistan Region. This advances the automotive industrial sector in Kurdistan and creates more employment opportunities in this area. It also provides knowledge and expertise in this field to our people and particularly our youth," Barzani said.
The second project is the Nissan facility in Zakho, which Barzani announced will serve all of Iraq. "Nissan here will become the primary distributor of all vehicles imported to Iraq and from here they will be sent to all other parts of Iraq. This will create more work opportunities for the people of the Kurdistan Region and particularly this area. Our people will also learn more professions in the private sector."
The third project is Motor Plex, an automotive industry complex that will train young Kurdistani people in vehicle maintenance, the principles, guidelines, and specializations of the automotive industry. "This will also lead to teaching and supporting our youth in how to learn vehicle maintenance techniques and the fundamentals and characteristics of the automotive industry sector," Barzani said.
A Regional Automotive Wave
Barzani placed the Zakho openings within a coordinated Region-wide automotive expansion. "A few days ago a similar project here in Duhok for Toyota was opened and after a few days a similar project in Erbil was opened. God willing this will be a very good beginning for advancing the industrial sector at the Kurdistan Region level and in all of the Region's governorates, administrations, and areas."
Kurdistan's Strategic Position
Barzani articulated the Kurdistan Region's geographic advantage for attracting further investment. "Kurdistan is in a very strategic position that connects several Middle Eastern markets together. This will pave the way for us to advance further and play an effective role in advancing the region's economy and for Kurdistan to become a center that other companies look to for advancing the economy in the region."
He called on Kurdish investors to think more carefully about how to invest in the Kurdistan Region and to form joint ventures with foreign companies when needed. "This is both to advance the Region's economy and to advance scientific methods in the industrial sector," he said.
Zero Unemployment In Bateel
Barzani announced a historic milestone. "I have happily heard that Bateel subdistrict is the only subdistrict at the level of all of Iraq and Kurdistan where the unemployment rate has reached zero. This is a cause for congratulation. I congratulate Bateel subdistrict, the Zakho Autonomous Administration, and all of Kurdistan." He added that there are so many job opportunities in the area that workers from other areas are coming to Bateel seeking employment.
He called on all cities and areas of Kurdistan to take similar steps toward advancing the economy and the private sector within their own boundaries, which he said would assist the KRG. "The government must also put all its capacity into supporting and facilitating the private sector, so that we advance further and the Kurdistan Region's economy moves forward," he said.