Friday, November 22, 2024
US-Kurdistan business delegation signals strengthened economic ties, diversified investments, 22 NOV
US-Kurdistan business delegation signals strengthened economic ties, diversified investments
Nov. 21, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Representative to the United States, Treefa Aziz, stated that the arrival of a senior delegation from the US-Kurdistan Business Council (USKBC) showcases heightened American interest in the Kurdistan Region.
The delegation, one of the largest since the council’s inception in 2012, underscores the evolving economic partnership between the two regions.
“This year’s delegation is larger than previous years, reflecting the growing interest of American businesses in Kurdistan,” Aziz said during an interview.
Over the past week, the group engaged in productive meetings in Erbil with senior KRG officials, the presidency office, and key business entities, including the chambers of commerce from Hewler (Erbil), Duhok, Sulaimani, and Halabja, alongside the Kurdistan Investment Board.
A Broader Investment Horizon
While historically centered on energy, particularly oil and gas, this year’s delegation expanded its scope to include defense, security, hospitality, food services, and other industries. "We’re encouraged by the interest of both long-standing companies and new entrants," Aziz noted.
The KRG, in alignment with its strategic goal of economic diversification, aims to reduce reliance on the energy sector.
Areas such as agriculture, banking, tourism, and healthcare are identified as priority sectors for future collaboration with American businesses.
“Kurdistan’s business-friendly regulations, open-market policies, and secure environment make it an attractive destination for foreign investment, particularly from the US,” Aziz emphasized.
She highlighted the positive role of supportive terms and contracts, distinguishing the Kurdistan Region from the rest of Iraq.
Oil Resumption and Regional Stability
One focal point of discussions revolved around the recent agreements between the KRG and the Iraqi government to resume oil exports, which had been halted for nearly 20 months.
According to Aziz, the resumption represents a significant victory for Kurdistan, Iraq, and global energy markets amid rising demand for oil and gas.
“American oil companies operating here for over two decades are keen to partner with the KRG to ensure a stable resumption of exports,” she stated.
US Commitment to Economic Growth
Aziz praised the collaborative efforts of the US government and the Consulate General in Erbil, led by Consul General Steve Bittner, in fostering bilateral economic relationships.
She described the partnership as a “360-degree relationship,” encompassing defense, security, and economic development.
Looking ahead, Aziz expressed optimism about working with the next US administration to strengthen economic ties further. “The focus on democracies and economic prosperity globally aligns with the Kurdistan Region’s aspirations.
We’re hopeful this partnership will continue to thrive,” she concluded.
The visit of the US delegation marks a pivotal step in advancing Kurdistan’s economic prospects, reinforcing its position as a stable and business-friendly hub within Iraq.
Coffee with MarkZ and Mr. Cottrell. 11/22/2024
US Reaffirms Security Ties with Iraq, 22 NOV
US Reaffirms Security Ties with Iraq
Nov. 21, 2024
WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to continued security ties with Iraq, as a State Department spokesperson told Kurdistan 24 in an email on Wednesday.
“Our routine diplomatic engagement with the Government of Iraq continues,” the spokesperson said.
“We are focused on transitioning to an enduring bilateral security partnership that serves Iraqi and U.S. interests.”
After Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shi’a al-Sudani took office in October 2022, his government pressed to end the presence of the Defeat-ISIS Coalition in Iraq, and negotiations on the issue followed.
Iranian pressure was likely part of the reason why Sudani made such a request. Tehran seeks to undermine the U.S. position in the Middle East.
Moreover, as the U.S. agreed to hold discussions on Sudani’s request, pro-Iranian elements sought—wrongly—to portray them as talks about terminating the U.S. military presence in Iraq.
They are, however, not about U.S. troops pulling out of Iraq. The Obama administration did that in 2011—and was obliged to return U.S. forces to the country in 2014, after ISIS emerged in Syria and then seized one-third of Iraq.
Rather, the negotiations are about a transition from a U.S. troop presence based on the anti-ISIS Coalition to one based on bilateral security ties.
As Col. Myles Caggins (US Army, Retired), a former Spokesperson for the anti-ISIS Coalition and now Spokesperson for APIKUR (Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan), earlier advised Kurdistan 24, “This big international coalition, with all the flags, that will end, but the presence of and the partnership with international military forces will continue.”
This approach is welcomed by the Kurdish leadership. It believes the continued presence of U.S. troops is important for Iraq’s stability, including the well-being of the Kurdistan Region.
Indeed, in July, the long-time Kurdish leader, Masoud Barzani, now head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), made a rare visit to Baghdad. The U.S. ambassador, Alina Romanowski, was among those he met.
A key part of Barzani’s mission was to explain the need for U.S. troops to remain in Iraq, as he stressed that their presence, along with that of other Coalition forces, was vital to ensuring Iraq's stability and promoting its national interests.
Current U.S. Position Same as Before
This issue arose at Monday’s State Department press briefing, when a journalist began his question by saying that an Iraqi diplomat had told him that Baghdad had asked to postpone the next set of talks and to change their venue from Baghdad to Washington. The journalist asked the Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, for confirmation.
Miller responded that he would “take” the question—that is, provide an answer, after consulting those working on the issue. Kurdistan 24 asked to receive the answer, as well.
The answer suggests that nothing has really changed. The spokesperson’s e-mailed response took the U.S. position back to Sept. 27, when “we announced that the United States and Iraq decided on a two-phase transition plan for CJTF-OIR [i.e. Coalition] operations in Iraq.”
Three days later, on Sept. 30, the foreign ministers of the Defeat-ISIS Coalition met in Washington and confirmed the agreement: the Coalition would remain in most of Iraq until Sept. 2025, but the Coalition would stay in the Kurdistan Region for at least one year longer. The fight against ISIS in Syria is continuing, and Coalition forces there are supplied from the Kurdistan Region.
Thus, as Wednesday’s email from the spokesperson explained, referring to the Sept. 30 conference, “This ministerial demonstrated the Coalition partners’ recognition of the threat ISIS still presents and their sustained commitment to diminishing ISIS’s capabilities around the world.”
The spokesperson also stressed the broad nature of relations between the U.S. and Iraq.
“Through our comprehensive 360-degree partnership,” he said, “we can advance Iraq’s stability, security and sovereignty, which are critical to Iraq and to the region.”
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