Kurdistan Region could benefit from Japan’s ‘rich experience,’ says PM Barzani

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region could benefit from Japan’s experience and success story, as the nations share a similar history of war and destruction as well as resilience, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said.

The premier on Tuesday morning in Erbil attended an event, highlighting the projects of Japan’s flagship development agency JICA – standing for Japan International Cooperation Agency. 

Describing Japan as “one of the biggest and most modern countries in the world,” Barzani said the Asian country’s “successful experience” is worth taking lessons from in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in investing in human capital and educating a new generation on innovation, respecting time, love for the homeland, protecting national identity.

The premier said both nations have gone through wars, destructions, and conflicts, adding Japan emerged as a modern country following the Second World War only through the power of “human capital”.

Barzani extended his gratitude to the people and government of Japan as well as JICA which had helped the Kurdistan Region in various sectors, particularly in water and sewage projects, electricity, and agriculture. 

The Asian development agency has also provided capacity-building training for KRG employees in various sectors. The premier hoped that the public servants who had been trained by JICA to use the gained skills in developing the Kurdistan Region. 

"I hope the cooperation [between Japan and Kurdistan Region] to expand, so it can support the comprehensive reform program that we have embarked on," Barzani said. 

Japan Ambassador to Iraq Futoshi Matsumoto and JICA Chief Representative in Iraq Gen Yoneda similarly attended the event along with numerous KRG officials and members of the civil society.