Kurdistan Region Delegation Visits Czech Republic to Boost Agricultural and Water Cooperation
Senior KRG officials and private-sector representatives seek Czech expertise, technology and investment opportunities in water management, dam construction, livestock and agricultural development
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — A senior Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation, accompanied by representatives of private-sector companies, is visiting the Czech Republic to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, water resources and livestock development, as the Kurdistan Region seeks international expertise and investment to modernize its agricultural sector.
The visit, which began following an official invitation from the Czech Ministry of Agriculture, aims to expand bilateral cooperation, encourage technology transfer and establish partnerships between companies from both sides.
Speaking to Kurdistan24 on Tuesday, November 3, Sarkawt Khoshnaw, director of relations at the KRG Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, told Kurdistan24's Lavin Omar that relations and coordination between the two sides have a long history, with cooperation gaining momentum following the opening of the Czech Consulate in Erbil in 2007.
Khoshnaw said the Czech Republic has considerable expertise in designing and constructing dams and managing water resources. In agriculture, he added, the country places particular emphasis on technology transfer and developing agricultural industries.
He stressed that, given the agricultural sector's development in the Kurdistan Region in recent years, strengthening connections between local investors, private-sector businesses and international companies is increasingly important to benefit from Czech experience and technological capabilities.
The delegation includes the prime minister's adviser for water affairs and directors-general responsible for water resources, dams, livestock and veterinary affairs. Representatives of several Kurdistan Region companies operating in agriculture, water management and livestock are also participating.
During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to hold official meetings with the Czech minister of agriculture and participate in an Agriculture Business Forum bringing together companies from both sides.
The forum will provide opportunities for direct business-to-business (B2B) meetings, allowing companies to explore potential partnerships, discuss mutual interests and identify future investment opportunities.
The program also includes field visits to ponds, dams, livestock facilities and veterinary centers to examine advanced management practices and technologies that could be adapted to the Kurdistan Region.
The initiative comes as the KRG seeks to strengthen agricultural production, improve water management and reduce structural challenges facing the sector, particularly the need for modern irrigation systems, improved livestock services and greater investment in agricultural infrastructure.
With water scarcity and climate-related pressures posing continuing challenges to agriculture across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, cooperation with countries possessing expertise in water infrastructure and agricultural technology could provide opportunities to improve resource management and strengthen long-term production capacity.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources aims to use the visit to deepen bilateral relations, expand trade, create new employment opportunities and attract investment to support the Kurdistan Region's agricultural and water sectors.