Kurdistan Region’s young entrepreneurs share private sector experiences with PM
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with a number of young entrepreneurs in the autonomous region to hear their ideas and suggestions for more effective government support of enterprising youth and their small to medium-sized businesses.
A number of entrepreneurial business owners across the Kurdistan Region’s four provinces attended the event to make their views known.
Barzani said that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)’s ninth cabinet puts particular emphasis on developing the private sector, adding that he was eager to hear from the business owners themselves because their “experience as individuals can benefit all people in Kurdistan.”
During the meeting, various participants laid out the challenges of entrepreneurship they regularly face in the Kurdistan Region, including bureaucratic red tape and lack of clear legislation governing digital commerce.
“Our vision is to open up a cotton farm in the next three years,” said one local businessman who produces hoodies with customized printing.
A female entrepreneur told Premier Barzani during their meeting, “The government will not give me a permit because my project is too small.”
The leader responded, “I will look into these issues properly and I will consult with my team and even at the Council of Ministers meeting to find solutions.”
Barzani's administration has championed strengthening the partnership between the public and private sector to provide a more competitive environment for companies, often through efforts to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on hydrocarbon sales.
“It is a special feeling of course,” said another female participant, of her chance to meet with the prime minister. “You feel like you are listened to and your issues are considered and you are an important individual.”
She continued, “I was listened to by the prime minister at this young age and I had the chance to show my brand.”
Editing by John J. Catherine