The United States Kurdistan Business Council (USKBC) hosted two top Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials in Washington at a closed-door meeting. Dr. Fuad Hussein, Chief of Staff to Kurdistan president Masood Barzani, and Minister Falah Bakir, head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations met the Council during the delegation’s visit to the US to meet with senior Administration officials.
Dr. Hussein and Minister Bakir spoke to the USKBC about the current situation in Iraq. They discussed the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and how the KRG is dealing with the threat of terrorism sweeping Iraq.
Dr. Hussein stated that the KRG is proud to have formed a broad-based regional government as well as a joint KRG negotiation team with the Government of Iraq. Hussein said there is a “new reality” in Iraq and it is the responsibility of the KRG to defend Kurdish communities in the country.
Minister Bakir stated that the KRG does not oppose a unified Iraq built on the basis of Iraq’s constitution and a federal system of government. He reiterated the importance of protecting Kurdistan and its economic gains of the past decade.
Minister Bakir also stated that the KRG is proud of its open door policy toward both Syrian refugees and Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs), and emphasized that it is not easy to take care of both an indigenous population of over five million people as well as a large refugee and IDP influx.
Minister Bakir discussed the US-Kurdistan relationship as well. He said, “We consider ourselves friends of the United States and we want to remain friends with the US.”
About the United States-Kurdistan Business Council
The USKBC is dedicated to facilitating trade and commerce for U.S. companies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and to strengthening ties between the private sector in the U.S. and Kurdistan Region. With one of the most liberal investment laws in the Middle East and significant needs in almost every industry sector, the Kurdistan Region presents untapped business opportunities for U.S. companies. The council also works closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government and private businesses in the Kurdistan Region to ensure that foreign investment reinforces the already enormous economic opportunities there. For more information on business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, please visit www.USKBC.org.
Dr. Hussein and Minister Bakir spoke to the USKBC about the current situation in Iraq. They discussed the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and how the KRG is dealing with the threat of terrorism sweeping Iraq.
Dr. Hussein stated that the KRG is proud to have formed a broad-based regional government as well as a joint KRG negotiation team with the Government of Iraq. Hussein said there is a “new reality” in Iraq and it is the responsibility of the KRG to defend Kurdish communities in the country.
Minister Bakir stated that the KRG does not oppose a unified Iraq built on the basis of Iraq’s constitution and a federal system of government. He reiterated the importance of protecting Kurdistan and its economic gains of the past decade.
Minister Bakir also stated that the KRG is proud of its open door policy toward both Syrian refugees and Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs), and emphasized that it is not easy to take care of both an indigenous population of over five million people as well as a large refugee and IDP influx.
Minister Bakir discussed the US-Kurdistan relationship as well. He said, “We consider ourselves friends of the United States and we want to remain friends with the US.”
About the United States-Kurdistan Business Council
The USKBC is dedicated to facilitating trade and commerce for U.S. companies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and to strengthening ties between the private sector in the U.S. and Kurdistan Region. With one of the most liberal investment laws in the Middle East and significant needs in almost every industry sector, the Kurdistan Region presents untapped business opportunities for U.S. companies. The council also works closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government and private businesses in the Kurdistan Region to ensure that foreign investment reinforces the already enormous economic opportunities there. For more information on business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, please visit www.USKBC.org.
