Zakho; Masrour Barzani inaugurates the “Golden Global Development” commercial project

A very warm welcome to all of you. I extend a special welcome to the Consul General of Japan, the Director of the Chinese Consulate, and the representative of Jetour, who are present here; you are all very welcome. I am very pleased to be visiting the Zakho Independent Administration today, particularly the Batil subdistrict, where we have gathered with pleasure to inaugurate and launch three important projects in the industrial sector, especially the automotive industry.

I thank and appreciate Mehngroup, particularly Mr. Ahmad Mashir, as well as Mr. Ahmad Rikani, for their participation in investing in these projects together with Chinese and Japanese companies—projects that will undoubtedly make a very significant contribution to the development of the industrial sector across the Kurdistan Region.

In addition to the remarkable growth and progress of this sector, many employment opportunities will also be created for the people of this area and Kurdistan in general. The development of the industrial sector, alongside diversifying the revenues and economy of the Kurdistan Region, has been one of the main programs of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and we have sought to attach greater importance to the industrial sector. I also thank the Director of the Zakho Independent Administration for the facilities provided to advance the industrial sector within the Zakho Independent Administration. Thank you all.

As we have seen, very good initiatives have been prepared; in particular, Nissan will become the distributor here for all vehicles imported into Iraq, which will then be transferred from here to other parts of Iraq. This will create more employment opportunities for the people of the Kurdistan Region, especially this area, and our people will acquire more skills in the private sector. Some time ago, we also inaugurated a similar project belonging to Toyota in Duhok, and before that, a similar project had been inaugurated in Erbil. God willing, this will be a very good beginning for the advancement of the industrial sector across the Kurdistan Region and in all the cities, provinces and areas of the Kurdistan Region.

Kurdistan is located in a highly strategic position that connects multiple markets in the Middle East. This creates the conditions for us to play a more effective role in the region’s economic development, and for Kurdistan to become a hub that attracts many other companies to invest in it for the development of the region’s economy and to earn greater profits. I also call on Kurdistani investors to think more about how to invest in the Kurdistan Region and, when necessary, enter into joint ventures with foreign companies—both so that the economy of the Kurdistan Region can progress and so that scientific methods in the industrial sector can be advanced.

We have seen very strong abilities and capacities among our young people, who represent a tremendous force for the advancement of the Kurdistan Region in all fields. Acquiring knowledge from abroad and transferring it here will also make a significant contribution to improving and raising the level of understanding and work in the Kurdistan Region.

According to the information I have received, thousands of job opportunities have been created for our people during this period. The Kurdistan Regional Government’s goal has always been to create numerous job opportunities, particularly by diversifying the economy. Previously, great importance was attached to the agricultural sector, and we now have the same plan for the industrial sector. The tourism sector is also one of the sectors to which we have attached great importance. All of these efforts work together both to organize and increase job opportunities and to develop the economy of the Kurdistan Region.

I was pleased to hear that the Batil sector is the only area in all of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region where the unemployment rate has reached zero. This is a matter of satisfaction and appreciation; I congratulate the Batil sector, the Zakho Independent Administration and all of Kurdistan on this achievement. Unless someone is unwilling to work, I understand that there are still many job opportunities for other people to come to this area from different regions and seek employment. This is worthy of appreciation, and my hope is that in all the cities and regions of Kurdistan, good steps will be taken to develop the economy and the private sector within their respective areas, so that they can support the Kurdistan Regional Government. The government is also obliged, with every capability and capacity at its disposal, to support the private sector and provide the necessary facilities so that we can further invigorate the economy of the Kurdistan Region.

 

I was very pleased to see the other projects, some of which are being inaugurated today; without a doubt, they too will create more job opportunities. Jetour, which is a Chinese company, will also be the first company at the Kurdistan Region level to assemble and manufacture vehicles here. It will create a major transformation in the automotive industry in Kurdistan and provide more job opportunities in the area. In addition, it will provide the people, particularly our youth, with extensive knowledge and expertise in technology and the industrial sector, which will undoubtedly play a very effective role.

There is also Motor Plex, which is a complex for developing the automotive industry, training our youth and helping them learn the principles of driving, traffic regulations and the specialized aspects of the automotive industry.

All of these are future steps that will serve the people of Kurdistan. I thank all the companies, Mehnad Group and China’s Harlem Group; I once again welcome them and appreciate the programs they presented today. I wish you all success; God willing, may you all succeed, may we witness ever-greater progress, and may our Kurdistan always prosper.