On October 25 Prime Minister Masrour Barzani inaugurated the Golden Global Development commercial project in the Zakho Independent Administration.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Prime Minister toured the various sections of the project and inspected the vehicles imported into the Kurdistan Region by the company overseeing the project.
In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of diversifying the Kurdistan Region’s economy and placing greater emphasis on the industrial sector.
The following is the full text of his speech:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Distinguished guests,
Dear brothers and sisters,
A warm welcome to all of you. I would like to extend a special welcome to the Japanese Consul, the Director of the Chinese Consulate, and the representative of Jetour. You are all most welcome.
I am very pleased to be visiting the Zakho Independent Administration today, particularly the Batel subdistrict, where we have gathered to celebrate the inauguration and launch of three important industrial projects, particularly in the automotive industry.
I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to Muhannad Group, especially Mr. Ahmed Mushir, as well as Mr. Ahmed Rekani, for their involvement in investing in these projects alongside Chinese and Japanese companies. These projects will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to developing the industrial sector across the Kurdistan Region.
In addition to advancing this sector, these projects will create numerous job opportunities for people in this area and throughout Kurdistan.
Developing the industrial sector has been part of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s program, alongside diversifying the Kurdistan Region’s sources of revenue and its economy. We have sought to place greater emphasis on the industrial sector.
I would also like to thank the head of the Zakho Independent Administration for facilitating the development of the industrial sector within the administration’s jurisdiction. Thank you all.
As we have seen, a great deal of progress has been made. In particular, this facility will serve as Nissan’s distribution hub for all vehicles imported into Iraq, from where they will be transported to other parts of the country.
This will create additional employment opportunities for people in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in this area, and allow our people to gain more experience working in the private sector.
Some time ago, we inaugurated a similar Toyota project in Duhok, and before that, another similar project was opened in Erbil.
God willing, this will mark a very promising beginning for the further development of the industrial sector throughout the Kurdistan Region, across all its cities, governorates, and districts.
Kurdistan occupies a highly strategic location, connecting numerous markets across the Middle East. This will enable us to play a greater and more effective role in developing the regional economy.
It will also help establish Kurdistan as a regional hub, encouraging many more companies to consider the Kurdistan Region as a destination for investment, contributing to economic development across the region while also benefiting the companies investing here.
I also call on investors in Kurdistan to give greater consideration to investing in the Kurdistan Region and, where necessary, establishing joint ventures with foreign companies. This would not only help advance the Kurdistan Region’s economy but also promote scientific knowledge and expertise within the industrial sector.
We have seen the considerable capabilities and potential of our young people, who represent a tremendous asset for advancing the Kurdistan Region in every field.
At the same time, acquiring knowledge and bringing expertise from abroad will greatly contribute to enhancing the level of understanding, skills, and professional practices we already have within the Kurdistan Region.
As I understand it, thousands of job opportunities have been created for our people in recent years. This has been one of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s objectives: to create substantial employment opportunities, particularly through economic diversification.
Previously, we placed considerable emphasis on the agricultural sector. We now have the same approach to developing the industrial sector.
Tourism is another sector to which we have devoted considerable attention. Together, these sectors will complement one another, both in organizing and expanding employment opportunities for our people and in advancing the Kurdistan Region’s economy.
I was also delighted to hear that the Batel subdistrict is the only subdistrict in the entire Kurdistan Region and Iraq where the unemployment rate has fallen to zero.
This is a remarkable achievement that deserves recognition. I congratulate the Batel subdistrict, the Zakho Independent Administration, and all of Kurdistan.
Unless someone chooses not to work, I understand that there are still plenty of employment opportunities available, even for people coming from other areas to seek work in this subdistrict and the surrounding region.
This is truly commendable, and I hope that all cities and districts across Kurdistan will take similar positive steps to develop their local economies and private sectors, thereby supporting the efforts of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
The government, for its part, must make every possible effort to support the private sector and facilitate its activities so that we can further develop the Kurdistan Region’s economy.
I was also very pleased to see the other projects, some of which are now having their foundation stones laid. These projects will undoubtedly create further employment opportunities.
Jetour, a Chinese company, will establish what will be the first facility of its kind in Kurdistan for assembling and manufacturing vehicles here in the Kurdistan Region.
This will represent a major step forward for Kurdistan’s automotive industry and will create additional employment opportunities in the area.
Furthermore, it will provide our people, particularly our young people, with valuable knowledge and expertise in this field. It will undoubtedly play a highly significant role in advancing technology and industrial development.
There is also Motor Plex, a complex designed to promote the automotive sector and provide training and support for our young people, helping them learn driving techniques as well as the principles, guidelines, and technical aspects of the automotive industry.
All these initiatives represent steps towards the future that will benefit the people of Kurdistan.
I would like to thank all the companies involved, including Muhannad Group and the Chinese Harlem Group.
Once again, I welcome them and express my appreciation for the projects they have presented today.
I wish you all success. God willing, you will continue to achieve success and make progress every day, and may our Kurdistan continue to prosper.
original article (in Kurdish)
—