Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani participated in a panel discussion at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, where he spoke about overcoming challenges and harnessing opportunities to drive economic and political progress.

The panel, titled “Overcoming Obstacles and Seizing Opportunities,” was moderated by Abdullah Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for the UAE Cabinet. During the discussion, PM Barzani emphasized the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) commitment to resolving political issues with the Iraqi federal government while advancing economic reforms and promoting investment-friendly policies.

“We are striving to resolve our political issues with the federal government while also leveraging the opportunities available to us,” PM Barzani stated. “We are working closely with the private sector to ensure the continuity of government reforms and projects within the framework of our plans. I can say that we have succeeded in achieving many of our goals, but there is still much work to be done.”

Investment Climate and Economic Stability

The Kurdish premier underscored the stability of the Kurdistan Region as a key factor in attracting investors, highlighting strong investment laws, tax exemptions, and government facilitation as major incentives for businesses.

“We do not want to neglect any sector, whether it be business or companies. We aim to provide equal opportunities,” he said. “Regarding major companies, we have very favorable investment laws in Kurdistan, including tax exemptions and facilitation of their needs to encourage investment.”

PM Barzani also credited the private sector for its role in stabilizing the economy, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and budget cuts from the federal government.

Digital Transformation and E-Governance Reforms

Discussing the KRG’s ongoing reform initiatives, PM Barzani detailed efforts to digitize public services, streamline bureaucracy, and improve financial institutions. He emphasized that digital banking and mobile services have significantly reduced the need for long queues, making financial transactions more efficient for citizens.

“We are exploring ways to digitize our systems effectively. We must not forget that some generations face challenges in adopting new tools. However, we continue to provide services and have established unique data centers to analyze and compare the information we gather,” he noted. “Based on this, we are working to determine how to provide the best systems for citizens to conduct their affairs efficiently.”

The prime minister’s remarks reinforced the KRG’s commitment to modernization and economic development, signaling a forward-looking approach to governance and investment in the Kurdistan Region.