Uzbekistan to Open Trade Center in Erbil as Kurdistan Region Seeks Foreign Investment
According to Haji Saeed, German businesspeople and investors have expressed interest in expanding trade relations with the Kurdistan Region and exploring investment opportunities in several sectors.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Uzbekistan is set to open a trade center in Erbil, while the Kurdistan Region is preparing to host an economic and industrial forum with Jordan in mid-December, as part of ongoing efforts to expand international trade and attract foreign investment.
On Tuesday, Gailan Haji Saeed, President of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Kurdistan Region, said Uzbekistan's decision to establish a trade center in Erbil was a direct result of efforts to strengthen the region's economic ties with foreign countries and attract international investors.
These efforts have also included a visit to Germany late last month by a delegation of Kurdistan Region businesspeople led by Haji Saeed. The visit and meetings with German business representatives attracted considerable attention from German media outlets.
According to Haji Saeed, German businesspeople and investors have expressed interest in expanding trade relations with the Kurdistan Region and exploring investment opportunities in several sectors.
"We saw their interest, so we invited them to visit the Kurdistan Region. They want to work in the mining, oil and gas, energy, and automotive sectors," he told Kurdistan24.
Germany's Die Welt newspaper also reported on German businesspeople's interest in the Kurdistan Region, while identifying what it described as a major obstacle to investment: security concerns.
Commenting on the issue, Haji Saeed acknowledged that security remains a major challenge, explaining that many countries assess the Kurdistan Region through the broader security situation in Iraq.
"Unfortunately, in most countries, when you talk about the Kurdistan Region, they see it only within the framework of Iraq's security situation. We told them that security in the Kurdistan Region is protected and that the Investment Law fully supports foreign investors. That is why we invited them to visit the Kurdistan Region and see its security and development for themselves," he said.
Kurdistan Region business delegations continue to visit foreign countries and meet with international investors and business representatives. Haji Saeed said these engagements have been productive, although their results may take time to materialize.
"The results of these visits may not emerge quickly, but we are seeing an increase in the number of foreign investors in the Kurdistan Region. They are now participating in Erbil's international fairs much more than before, which is a positive sign," he said.
According to investment figures, more than 3,660 foreign companies operate in the Kurdistan Region, supported by over $14 billion in foreign direct investment and joint ventures across more than 1,650 licensed projects.
Between 2006 and 2025, more than 1,650 investment projects were licensed in the region, with a combined capital value of approximately $80 billion. Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, the United Kingdom, and the United States are among the leading countries represented by foreign companies operating in the region.
The Kurdistan Board of Investment oversees investment activities through its Foreign Direct Investment Unit and the Invest Kurdistan platform, which aim to facilitate investment and support international businesses.