Infrastructure, development projects to continue, says PM Masrour Barzani
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) laid the foundation stone for several projects in Soran, emphasizing the government's commitment to development despite economic hardships.
During his visit, Prime Minister Barzani met with officials from the Soran Independent Administration. He inaugurated three significant projects: a city park, a national park, and the Soran gate overpass in the city center.
"Despite the difficult economic and financial situation, our projects to serve our citizens in all regions of the Kurdistan Region will continue," Barzani stated. "We should not only focus on the big cities but also develop smaller cities and towns and revive our villages."
Barzani highlighted Soran's strategic importance, noting its borders with Turkey and Iran and its key roles in agriculture, trade, and tourism. "Soran has the potential to become one of the world's significant tourist areas, creating thousands of job opportunities," he emphasized.
In his speech, Barzani elaborated on the KRG's broader developmental goals and the unique characteristics of the Soran region:
Transcript of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's Speech:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Dear audience, ladies and gentlemen,
I'm glad we'll meet again. We are pleased to be in Soran Independent Administration today to lay the foundation stone of several important projects. Yesterday we were in Raperin to open the Ranya bridge project.
We have tried to continue our projects to serve our citizens in all regions of the Kurdistan Region despite the difficult economic and financial situation.
The KRG's program and plan is not only to pay attention to the big cities, but also to develop the cities and towns and revive our villages.
Soran region is one of the strategic regions of the Kurdistan Region in many ways and has its own characteristics, because in addition to bordering with both Turkey and Iran, in terms of agriculture, trade, and tourism, it has an important position and can play a significant role in economic development. There is a very favorable environment in the field of tourism and we are working on the final stages of planning some tourism projects that will develop this region in such a way that it will be alongside the important tourist areas of the world and create thousands of job opportunities.
Soran Independent Administration, which consists of Soran, Barzan, Balakayety, and Bradost regions, has a diverse population structure. This is a sign of the richness of this region, which has made many sacrifices in the revolutions and uprisings of the Kurdish nation and has been the center of Kurdistan’s revolutions for many years.
It is also gratifying that for many years the different religious communities of this region, Muslims and Christians, live together in harmony and peace. I hope this culture of coexistence will be further developed and deepened.
Since the declaration of the independent administration of Soran, several projects have been carried out in this region, of course, more and bigger projects are in our plans and programs to do for you. Unfortunately, the problems and crises created for us in the past, prevented us from serving the Kurdistan properly, but we are optimistic that with the resilience and support of the patriotic people of Kurdistan, we will overcome all crises and problems.
During these two years in terms of administration, services and development, many changes have been felt in the independent administration of Soran, which shows the effect of strengthening administrative powers; I always repeat the message that let us all protect the environment and beautiful nature of Kurdistan together. Especially this region, it is a very charming region, it has a very beautiful nature. I am sure and we will do our best to make this area a tourist destination from all over the world.
May you be happy and successful. May our Kurdistan remain prosperous.
Barzani's visit and the launch of these projects underscore the KRG's ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure and economic development across the Kurdistan Region, particularly in strategic and underserved areas.
Thank you for your resilience Soran.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) May 28, 2024
We will keep investing throughout Kurdistan. pic.twitter.com/URvjZuTGjC