The Kurdistan Region has long been one of the most reliable U.S. allies in the Middle East. Now, as the United States forges new economic partnerships under the leadership of the Trump administration, the Kurdistan Region is once again demonstrating its commitment to a deeper relationship based on shared prosperity and security.
This September, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) welcomed a large U.S. Chamber of Commerce business delegation to Erbil for high-level meetings and site tours. The visit came at the invitation of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, following his May trip to Washington, D.C., where the KRG signed multi-billion-dollar agreements with leading U.S. energy companies.
In addition to these agreements, the visit to Erbil was supported by the U.S. Consulate General, highlighting the strong partnership between the Kurdistan Region and the United States. It also underscored the region’s role as a growing hub for investment, with the delegation touring the KRG’s state-of-the-art data center, a flagship of its digitalization project, and Erbil’s new water facility, a major initiative to expand access to safe water and strengthen critical infrastructure.
Kurdistan is open for business
In discussions that ranged from agriculture and food security to digital transformation, energy, transportation, and finance, the delegation witnessed the region’s economic diversity and its readiness for investment.
During the meeting, which included Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and other senior officials, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani underscored the government’s commitment to reform and private sector growth, while opening the door to new opportunities for U.S. investment across the region.
Opportunities to engage the private sector more directly were also prioritized, and a networking luncheon with the Kurdistan Board of Investment showcased new areas of collaboration. Later, an evening reception hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce Kurdistan brought together officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to build relationships and celebrate the longtime U.S.-Kurdistan partnership.
Beyond business, the delegation experienced firsthand the region’s rich cultural heritage. A sunset tour of the Erbil Citadel – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – served as a reminder that Kurdistan is not only a center for commerce, but also a place rich in history, resilience, and identity.
The KRG considers this visit a building block in deepening U.S.-Kurdistan economic cooperation. With its strategic location, young and ambitious workforce, and commitment to reform, the Kurdistan Region offers strong advantages for American businesses seeking to
expand in Iraq and the wider Middle East. This delegation demonstrates the shared confidence that economic partnership between Kurdistan and the United States can bring prosperity and opportunity to both sides.
The United States has long recognized the Kurdistan Region as a reliable partner. Today, Kurdistan is proving its readiness to expand that partnership and deliver greater prosperity for both Kurds and Americans.
Treefa Aziz is the KRG Representative to the United States.
