ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with a delegation from the UAE on Wednesday, hailing the appointment of a special envoy from the country for economic affairs to the Kurdistan Region as an "important step" for further bolstering bilateral ties between Erbil and Abu Dhabi.
In the meeting with UAE's Minister of State and the country's special envoy for economic affairs to the Kurdistan Region Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, and his accompanying delegation, President Barzani thanked Abu Dhabi for "appointing a UAE special envoy for economic affairs to the Kurdistan Region," and described the move as "an important step which indicates the importance of bilateral relations between both sides."
President Barzani and Hajeri voiced the significance of "expanding joint efforts and coordination in fields of high importance for both sides."
"Both sides found it important to have an incentive law and a supportive environment for investment in the Kurdistan Region," the statement read.
President Barzani and the UAE delegation discussed investment opportunities, and the active role of Emirati companies in the Kurdistan Region.
The Kurdistan Region and the UAE enjoy strong economic ties and Kurdish officials frequently visit the country, particularly during special events.
In early April, President Barzani visited Abu Dhabi where he met UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussing the need for expanding bilateral ties.
The UAE is also among the top three economic partners of the Kurdistan Region, behind Turkey and Iran, with Emirati investors increasingly flocking to expand their businesses to the Kurdistan Region’s market.
In February, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani signed a technology deal with the UAE during a Dubai visit.
Following the agreement, UAE Consul Ahmed al-Dhaheri told Rudaw that the deal would be followed by “many more economic and investment agreements in the near future, particularly in the electricity sector and the use of solar energy.”
The investment volume between Erbil and Abu Dhabi has exceeded $2 billion, according to Dhaheri.
The UAE is an economic powerhouse in the Middle East, Gaylan Haji Said, president of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce, has previously told Rudaw, commending Erbil’s ties with Abu Dhabi.
“The UAE is the third economic partner of the Kurdistan Region, after Turkey and Iran. The UAE is also an important and strong trade centre in the world,” noted Said. “The UAE has the same significance for the Kurdistan Region. Furthermore, many Emirate investors have invested in the Kurdistan Region."
