China’s Acting Consul General Hails Zakho Auto KD Project

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - China’s acting consul general in the Kurdistan Region, said on Sunday that the Jetour KD project in Zakho marks a leap for Chinese automotive brands from import and sales to localized operations in the Kurdistan Region. Zhang Jianxin made the remarks at the inauguration of the Golden Global Development Project, where Harlem Group and Jetour Auto signed an MOU.

Zhang said it was a pleasure to visit the city of Zakho for the occasion. Addressing Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the guests, he said he had come to witness the MOU signing and the laying of the foundation stone for Motorplex.

“It is a great pleasure to come to this beautiful city of Zakho in this golden autumn season to witness the signing of the MOU between Harlem Group and Jetour Auto on the Jetour KD project, as well as laying the foundation stone for Motorplex,” Zhang said.

On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Erbil, he congratulated both sides on the two occasions. He also thanked Prime Minister Barzani and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

“I would like to extend my warm congratulations on both occasions and express my sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the Kurdistan Regional Government for their long-standing support for Chinese companies,” he said.

Zhang described Jetour as an automotive brand under China’s Chery Group. He said it had grown rapidly in the Kurdistan Region in recent years and become one of the leading brands in its automotive market.

“Nowadays, we can see more and more Jetour cars on the roads,” Zhang said. He added that he had told the Prime Minister about his own purchase: “After I came to Erbil in April this year, I myself bought a Jetour car.”

Zhang said Harlem Group and Jetour Auto were launching the first and largest automotive KD project in the Kurdistan Region.

“Today, Harlem Group and Jetour Auto are joining hands to launch the first and largest automotive KD project in the Kurdistan Region, marking a leap for Chinese automotive brands from import and sales to localized operations,” he said.

“It is a milestone in the development of the Kurdistan Region automotive industry and another new achievement of practical cooperation between China and the Kurdistan Region.”

He said Chinese automakers were coming to the Kurdistan Region for more than sales. “Chinese automakers come to the Kurdistan Region not only to sell products, but also to share technology, build production capacity, and cultivate talent together with local partners,” Zhang said. He expressed confidence in the project’s impact on jobs and skills.

“I am confident that the KD project will train more local technical talents, create more jobs, and inject new momentum into the Kurdistan Region’s industrialization and economic diversification,” he said.

Zhang said the signing was also an example of the results of Belt and Road cooperation between the two sides.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to point out in particular that today’s signing is also a vivid example of the fruitful results of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between our two sides over the years,” he said.

“Since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed more than a decade ago, it has upheld the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. It has become a popular international public good and a platform for international cooperation.”

He said China was committed to its role in the region’s development and listed the sectors where it was ready to cooperate.

“China is firmly committed to being a trustworthy partner in the Kurdistan Region’s development,” Zhang said.

“We will continue to expand high-standard opening up. Guided by high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, we will share development opportunities and outcomes with the Kurdistan Region. We stand ready to advance practical cooperation in infrastructure, building materials, telecommunications, new energy, electronic manufacturing, AI, as well as in other fields, so as to deliver greater benefits to the people of both sides.”

Zhang closed by wishing success to both the Jetour KD project and Motorplex, and by looking ahead to wider cooperation between China and the Kurdistan Region.

“In closing, I wish the Jetour KD project and Motorplex every success,” he said. “May cooperation between China and the Kurdistan Region in all fields bear more fruitful results.”