25 October 2010
The largest ever British trade delegation to visit the Kurdistan Region last week participated in Erbil International Fair. The delegation was lead by Sir Andrew Cahn, the Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), the British government department that spearheads international trade with the UK.
Sir Andrew said, “This is my first visit to Erbil, but it will not be my last. The UK and the Kurdistan Region have deep and long ties." Sir Andrew cited the British companies that have already worked in the region, such as Parsons Brinckerhoff, HSBC, Scott Wilson, Costain, JCB and B-Plan. He added, “Now UKTI has a local member of staff in Erbil who can offer more help to British companies wishing to enter the region. There is a great deal of business to be done between the UK and Kurdistan."
President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Salih visited the UKTI stand during their tours of the fair. Prime Minister Salih asked about the different sectors represented by the British delegation and said, “We want to see more British companies doing business here.” President Barzani welcomed the increased British presence at the fair.
Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s High Representative to the UK, said, “We are ambitious for our Region. We need to build the Kurdistan Region up and we know that we can do this best with the help from outside. And we can build even stronger friendships through international trade.”
Prime Minister Barham Salih hosted Sir Andrew and some of the British delegates and officials from the British Embassy in Baghdad at a lunch with KRG Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari, Minister of Agriculture Jamil Sleiman, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, Minister for Housing and Reconstruction Kamaran Ahmed Abdullah, and other officials.
President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Salih visited the UKTI stand during their tours of the fair. Prime Minister Salih asked about the different sectors represented by the British delegation and said, “We want to see more British companies doing business here.” President Barzani welcomed the increased British presence at the fair.
Ms Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s High Representative to the UK, said, “We are ambitious for our Region. We need to build the Kurdistan Region up and we know that we can do this best with the help from outside. And we can build even stronger friendships through international trade.” Prime Minister Barham Salih hosted Sir Andrew and some of the British delegates and officials from the British Embassy in Baghdad at a lunch with KRG Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari, Minister of Agriculture Jamil Sleiman, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, Minister for Housing and Reconstruction Kamaran Ahmed Abdullah, and other officials.
The delegation held meetings with the Minister for Trade and Industry Sinan Chalabi, Minister for Natural Resources Dr Ashti Hawrami and other officials. They met the Kurdistan Region’s and Iraqi companies at networking events hosted by Erbil Chamber of Commerce, the Kurdistan Contractors Union, Kurdistan Business Group and Zozik Group. They also met the Kurdistan Importers and Exporters Union, and visited the Erbil refinery and the premises of Oil and Gas Services Group (OAGSG).
The trade mission was led by David Lloyd, Senior Consultant of the Middle East Association, which has led several British trade missions to the Kurdistan Region over the last five years.
The companies on the mission included HSBC and Standard Chartered banks, Mott MacDonald, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Pell Frischmann, Leicester University, the trade association British Expertise and many others.
Erbil International Fair is Iraq’s largest general trade show, attracting almost 850 exhibiting companies from 25 countries and tens of thousands of visitors from all of Iraq. The fair is in its sixth year and grew by 20% in volume compared to last year. The economy of the Kurdistan Region has grown rapidly thanks to the KRG’s forward-looking policies and legislation and the region’s safety and stability, making it the secure gateway to the Iraqi market.
The trade mission was led by David Lloyd, Senior Consultant of the Middle East Association, which has led several British trade missions to the Kurdistan Region over the last five years.
The companies on the mission included HSBC and Standard Chartered banks, Mott MacDonald, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Pell Frischmann, Leicester University, the trade association British Expertise and many others.
Erbil International Fair is Iraq’s largest general trade show, attracting almost 850 exhibiting companies from 25 countries and tens of thousands of visitors from all of Iraq. The fair is in its sixth year and grew by 20% in volume compared to last year. The economy of the Kurdistan Region has grown rapidly thanks to the KRG’s forward-looking policies and legislation and the region’s safety and stability, making it the secure gateway to the Iraqi market.
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