Turkey’s Consul in Kurdistan: Ties with the Region Are Strong, Erbil Is Rapidly Evolving
“Our relations with the Kurdistan Region are good. Erbil has significantly developed and changed over the past few years,” Topçu told Kurdistan24, adding, “We are working to further strengthen our ties.”
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkey’s Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, Erman Topçu, reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations between Ankara and Erbil, praising the Kurdistan Region’s capital as a city that has “greatly advanced and transformed” in recent years. His remarks came on Tuesday, during a cultural event held as part of Turkish Cuisine Week, jointly organized by the Turkish Presidency and Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
“Our relations with the Kurdistan Region are good. Erbil has significantly developed and changed over the past few years,” Topçu told Kurdistan24, adding, “We are working to further strengthen our ties.”
Expanding Commercial Engagement
Topçu’s comments coincided with a delegation visit from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), which held meetings in Erbil aimed at enhancing bilateral trade. The delegation, which represents over 150,000 companies across Turkey, met with Kurdish business leaders in coordination with the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Turkish delegation’s objective, Topçu noted, was to expand the volume of trade between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region, particularly in key sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and agribusiness. The visit underscored Ankara’s growing interest in leveraging the Kurdistan Region’s strategic and stable investment climate.
Kurdistan: An Anchor of Economic Stability
The timing of the delegation’s arrival is emblematic of broader regional trends, as investors increasingly turn to the Kurdistan Region as a beacon of political stability and economic opportunity amid rising geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.
“Kurdistan has distinguished itself through security, sound legal frameworks, and a sustained commitment to reform,” said Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations, during a press briefing on Apr. 9, 2025. “Investors naturally seek environments free of conflict and unpredictability—Kurdistan has proven to be such a place.”
Dizayee’s remarks echoed those of Dr. Mohammed Shukri, Chairman of the Kurdistan Board of Investment, who revealed that over $2 billion in UAE capital is currently active in the Region, with more than 200 Emirati companies operating across diverse sectors.
A Forward-Looking Vision
The KRG’s strategic push to attract foreign capital is part of a broader policy vision endorsed by Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. During his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates for the 2025 Sustainability Week Summit, President Barzani reaffirmed that both the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are committed to forming a new cabinet swiftly, to maintain governance momentum and advance economic reforms.
In Abu Dhabi, President Barzani also launched the “Visit Kurdistan” platform, aimed at enhancing tourism and investment promotion. His discussions with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan included the unprecedented proposal to appoint a UAE special envoy for investment in Kurdistan.
The Turkish delegation’s visit, paired with ongoing interest from Gulf states, reflects the Kurdistan Region’s increasing importance as an economic and diplomatic hub. As Kurdistan transitions into a new economic era, officials are relying on legal modernization, commercial outreach, and diplomatic engagement to reinforce the Region’s role as Iraq’s economic gateway.
