PM Barzani Urges Closer KRG-Iraq Ties in Meeting with World Bank, 24 MARCH

PM Barzani Urges Closer KRG-Iraq Ties in Meeting with World Bank

The discussion between PM Barzani and World Bank Regional Director Jean-Christophe Carret underscored the need for closer cooperation with Baghdad on economic reforms, institutional development, and improved public services.

In a diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and accelerating public sector reforms, Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received a delegation from the World Bank on Sunday.

The delegation was led by Jean-Christophe Carret, the World Bank’s Regional Director for the Middle East.

According to a statement from the KRG, the meeting underscored the importance of deepening collaboration between the Kurdistan Region, the federal government of Iraq, and the World Bank, particularly in areas tied to economic modernization, institutional reform, and improvements in public service delivery.

The visit by the World Bank delegation signals renewed international interest in supporting the KRG’s efforts to modernize its economy and governance structures, particularly at a time when regional and global economic pressures demand more effective and transparent institutions. As the KRG continues to navigate complex political and fiscal challenges, its partnership with global financial institutions like the World Bank is seen as crucial to ensuring long-term stability and prosperity.

The World Bank, founded in 1944 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is one of the world’s leading international financial institutions. It provides loans, grants, and technical expertise to developing countries to reduce poverty and support sustainable economic development. Over the years, it has played an active role in post-conflict reconstruction and institutional reform in Iraq.

Back in 2016, the World Bank entered into discussions with both the Iraqi federal government and the KRG about providing a major loan to support development and service projects across the country.

As part of the KRG’s broader economic strategy, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has led efforts to expand banking services across the Kurdistan Region. In his address at HITEX24 on September 3, 2024—covered by Kurdistan24—he announced that banking capacity has increased fivefold since the ninth cabinet took office, reflecting a push to modernize the financial system and reduce reliance on cash-based transactions.

Furthermore, the KRG has made notable strides in digital governance. According to the KRG’s official Strategy for Digital Transformation, spearheaded by the Department of Information Technology (DIT), the government aims to become a regional GovTech powerhouse by 2025. The strategy is underpinned by six Core Strategic Activities (CSAs): strengthening digital governance, building digital architecture, investing in human capital, prioritizing user-centered design, improving security and data privacy, and reforming procurement systems.

The strategy emphasizes a citizen- and business-centric approach to public service, supported by agile and transparent IT infrastructure. It also introduces robust digital principles, including interoperability, data-driven decision-making, and accessibility across government platforms. According to the document, over 50 government services have been digitized, with the long-term vision that all residents will be able to access public services 'anywhere, anytime, on any device.'

The Prime Minister’s Decree No. 104 (2020) formally authorized the DIT to lead and regulate the digital transformation of all KRG entities. As stated in the strategy, the transformation is not only technological but also institutional, involving legal reforms, public awareness campaigns, and engagement with private sector and international stakeholders. This holistic vision is seen as essential for reducing bureaucracy, improving transparency, and unlocking economic opportunities across the Kurdistan Region.

At the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai, PM Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s strategic vision, emphasizing institutional reform, youth empowerment, and long-term sustainability. He stated that the KRG seeks to be a regional model for effective governance and forward-looking economic planning.

These developments provide crucial context for the World Bank’s deepening engagement with the Kurdistan Region and underscore the international community’s recognition of the KRG’s ongoing efforts to implement structural reforms and strengthen its institutional foundations.  link