Russia-Iraq Business Mission Signs 1st Deals in Kurdistan

A Russian business mission has signed its first commercial agreements with Iraqi counterparts in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), following meetings with the Kurdistan Importers and Exporters Union in Erbil. Branch heads from five provinces - Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, Kirkuk, and Halabja - took part in the expanded session.

According to the Russian-Iraqi Business Council, the delegation included producers of flour, vegetable oils, meat products, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. The Council's executive director, Maxim Malyarchuk, said the range of products directly addresses demand from Iraqi consumers.

Mustafa Abdulrahman Abdullah, chairman of the Importers and Exporters Union, said his organisation was prepared to provide the infrastructure needed to establish regular direct deliveries from Russia. The KRG's deputy minister of trade and industry, Sarwar Kamal, said his ministry, working alongside the chambers of commerce, would assist Russian suppliers in obtaining the necessary permits, certificates, and import licences.

Dr Mohammed Shukri, chairman of the KRG Investment Board, said commercial contracts had begun to be concluded within the first days of the mission. Danar Mustafa, deputy head of the Kurdistan Region Government's representation in Moscow, called for the elimination of intermediaries and proposed expanding future business missions to other centres in Kurdistan.