Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani hailed the private sector for its effective contributions to the Kurdistan Region economy since approval of the Investment Law in 2004.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed satisfaction with the expansion of investment in the sectors of agriculture and industry. His statements were made during last week’s visit to Dohuk Governorate, where he opened the Zakho International Football Stadium and the Rixos Hotel in the city of Dohuk.

During the opening ceremony of Zakho International Stadium, Prime Minister Barzani affirmed it as another indication of Kurdistan people’s quest for life, progress, and prosperity in the midst of adversity caused by war, terrorist threats, and oppression.

“No obstacle, embargo, or budget cutting can weaken Kurdistan people’s will for progress, reconstruction, and success,” he said.

He praised the role of Kurdish entrepreneurs for the support and assistance they have been offering voluntarily to the Peshmerga forces in their fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, also known as ISIS.

Meeting Peshmerga commanders

In a meeting with commanders of Peshmerga forces in Dohuk, Prime Minister Barzani was updated about the latest developments on the battlefront against ISIS in the Duhok-Mosul sector.

Prime Minister Barzani spoke at length about the significant role the Peshmerga forces play in the fight against terrorism and the protection of the Region.

He pointed out, “The international community values the role of the Peshmerga forces in protecting the Region and also protecting all ethnic and religious groups who have been directly exposed to terrorism.”

In order to adequately confront terrorism, he reiterated that the Kurdistan Regional Government continuously seeks to ensure that the needs of the Peshmerga forces are met by the Federal Government of Iraq and the international coalition.

Relations with Baghdad and the IDPs issue

In his meeting with the Dohuk Governorate Council, Prime Minister Barzani reassured that the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, has intensified its effort to resolve the problems of Dohuk Governorate, particularly those related to providing assistance to meet the needs of refugees and internally displaced persons, IDPs.  Duhok Governorate hosts the largest number of refugees and IDPs both in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

On various occasions during his visit, Prime Minister Barzani discussed the problems between the KRG and Iraqi Federal Government, emphasising  that the KRG is committed to meeting the requirements of the Iraq Federal Budget Law 2015, as well as to the agreement reached last December between the two sides on budget and oil export issues. He reaffirmed that the KRG desires to solve the financial and budget problems through negotiations and mutual understanding.

“The Kurdistan Region’s priority is to solve the financial and budget problems with Baghdad, but if Baghdad continues its non-abidance of the agreement, then the KRG has to resort to other options,” he said.

Prime Minister Barzani said, “Baghdad neglects the Kurdistan Region’s rights. Turning to other options never has been a political issue. Our policy is to help Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi, as was our policy in the past. These issues are economic issues. If mutual understanding of Kurdistan Region’s economic issues is not attained, we shall have to resort to other solutions.”