Mohammed Shukri, Chairman of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Investment Board, announced on Monday during a year-in-review press conference that private sector investment has directly created 161,000 job opportunities for the people of the Kurdistan Region.

“The KRG seeks to make the private sector a genuine partner of the government in investment and the economic development of the region. In this regard, it has provided many facilitations for granting licenses and enabling the private sector to operate,” he said.

Read More: Dutch and Kurdish Companies Sign Business Deals

“This year, the Investment Board had an active and effective participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos and established the Kurdistan House there. In cooperation with the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, it also signed several agricultural project contracts with Dutch producers, as well as contracts with Italian companies for rehabilitation and development projects in Gali Ali Beg, which includes the construction of a cable car system. These projects are now in the implementation phase,” Shukri said.

Read More: Economic Forum Strengthens Ties Between Kurdistan and France

Continuing his remarks, the Head of the Investment Board said that this year, for the first time, the Board participated in the world’s largest agricultural exhibition in Paris, where the Kurdistan Region’s agricultural companies showcased their products. In addition, it participated in the agricultural exhibition in Istanbul, as well as in the investment forum in Abu Dhabi and the Gulf exhibition in Dubai.

“This year, the Kurdistan Region welcomed hundreds of foreign trade and economic delegations from around the world so they could benefit from the investment opportunities in the Kurdistan Region,” he emphasized.

Shukri pointed out that in 2025, foundation stones were laid for many large factories and industrial projects in the Kurdistan Region, including the largest brick factory in Iraq, a steel mill that is expected to be operational soon and will meet domestic demand as well as allow for exports abroad, and the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Iraq.

Read More: Foreign Investment Driving Growth in the Kurdistan Region

In concluding his remarks, Shukri said that the launch of the Megsal project is one of the Investment Board’s main achievements in 2025. The project involves a $100 million private-sector investment and was launched by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on October 26, 2025. It will supply meat and dairy products to the region and the rest of Iraq, and is estimated to provide job opportunities for 500 people.