The Kurdistan Region prime minister laid the foundation stone for the “Gali Zakho” tourism project in the Zakho Independent Administration, announcing that developing the tourism sector is a central part of the cabinet’s plan to diversify sources of revenue.
Today, Sunday 25 October 2026, Masrour Barzani, prime minister of the Kurdistan Region, laid the foundation stone for the Gali Zakho tourism project.
The prime minister delivered a speech at the ceremony and, expressing his pleasure, noted that prioritizing the tourism sector had been part of the cabinet’s plan and that the government would spare no effort in this regard. He also stated that, in addition to its natural environment, the Kurdistan Region has numerous historical and religious sites that can be utilized and invested in for tourism.
Here is the full text of the speech:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Dear sisters and brothers
Distinguished guests,
Welcome, everyone. I am very pleased to be with you today to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony for a strategic tourism project that is unique in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and is a major project. I extend my warmest welcome to you all, and I am delighted that today we are laying the foundation stone for this project. I am confident that once this project is completed, it will contribute to the further development of the tourism sector in the Badinan region and throughout the Kurdistan Region.
I thank Marmontana Company and dear Brother Hajji Saman for the valuable work they have carried out, and I also thank the Independent Administration of Zakho for the facilities it has provided and its cooperation in attracting investors within the area of the Independent Administration of Zakho. I thank the people of Zakho for their continued support and for the love and affection they have shown toward the environment, their city and their homeland; this is truly a source of appreciation and pride.
The Kurdistan Regional Government, within the framework of its program and in cooperation with the private sector, has attached great importance and value to the tourism sector; this measure has been taken in line with the policy of the Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet to diversify the region’s economy and increase its sources of revenue.
The Kurdistan Region, particularly the Badinan region, has very beautiful and pleasant places from a tourism perspective and holds an important position. It also offers excellent opportunities that will become one of the most important sources of revenue in the Kurdistan Region and provide numerous employment opportunities for our people and young people.
Kurdistan has exceptionally beautiful and enchanting nature. Some time ago, I came to Zakho and visited many tourist sites. To tell you the truth, there are very beautiful places with pleasant climates, and believe me, what was even more pleasant was that I did not see any garbage dumped along the roadsides, which itself deserves appreciation.
I hope our people will benefit from these tourism projects. Guests will also come here; respect the guests, and our request is that they, too, respect the environment of the Kurdistan Region and these projects. Together, we can take better steps toward advancing the economy of the Kurdistan Region, particularly this area.
Unfortunately, in the past, Kurdistan’s nature suffered extensive damage, and many of our villages were destroyed. To this day, because of unrest, war, conflicts and the lack of security and peace, particularly in some border areas, not all places have been rebuilt. We hope that peace and stability will return to those areas as soon as possible, that they will once again become part of the tourism projects within the area of the Independent Administration of Zakho, and that projects like the one we see today will also be implemented there.
In addition to Kurdistan’s beautiful nature, there are also many highly attractive historical sites throughout the Kurdistan Region; in Duhok, Zakho, Amedi, Akre, Simele, Bardarash (I have to name all the places because some friends might say so), in Batifa, Kani Masi, and generally throughout the Badinan area. But once again, in Hawler (Erbil), in Soran, Rawanduz, Shanidar Cave, the historic Hawler Citadel, there are many very attractive places; Khnes and many historical archaeological sites that people can visit. There are also many historical sites in the Garmian region, Sulaymaniyah, Ranya and Qaladze that people can visit.
In addition to historical archaeological sites, there are many religious sites such as mosques, churches and places of worship that can be a reason for domestic and foreign tourists to travel to the Kurdistan Region and visit these sites. For this reason, Kurdistan has the potential to devote greater attention to the tourism industry and implement more such projects, creating more employment opportunities for the people of the region; in this way, they can both improve their standard of living and enhance the quality of service provision throughout the region.
It is also the government’s duty to provide greater cooperation and facilities regarding the issuance of permits and support for these projects; and, when necessary, the government will also cooperate on joint projects so that we can attach even greater importance to diversifying the economy of the Kurdistan Region.
The government has provided facilities in many areas, particularly in road construction and the expansion of digital services, both for establishing companies and for the everyday services of citizens who come to conduct their business. These digital services can be very helpful, enabling companies to move their work forward as quickly as possible and allowing people to benefit from the speed of these services.
In conclusion, my request to all citizens and foreign tourists who come here is that they respect the nature of the Kurdistan Region, protect these projects and observe cleanliness; because, truly, for us in the Kurdistan Region, cleanliness not only enhances the beauty of our nature, but every inch of our soil is sacred to us, as great service, struggle and sacrifice have gone into preserving this land, and the blood of martyrs has been shed upon it. Therefore, keeping our land and homeland clean is a duty, and my hope is that everyone will fulfill this duty and keep our nature clean. God willing, may you always be healthy and well.
I also have a suggestion for the name of this project; you people of Zakho, when someone is from Zakho, you call them “Zakhoi,” don’t you? This is also “Geli Zakho,” Zakho Valley, or in English (Zaxo Valley). So, if you all call it “Zakholi,” naming the project “Zakholi,” I think it would be a very suitable name. If you also like it, God willing, you will succeed, and may Kurdistan also always prosper. Many thanks.
