KRG delegation speak at think tanks and universities on firs
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:55 pmWashington DC, USA (KRG.org) - A ministerial delegation from the Kurdistan Region on Tuesday spent the first day of their visit to the US meeting with officials, academics and policy analysts in Washington, DC. They held a seminar at George Washington University and a briefing at the Atlantic Council on the KRG’s oil and gas policies.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation visiting the US capital includes Dr Fuad Hussein, President Masoud Barzani’s Chief of Staff; Dr Ashti Hawrami, the Minister of Natural Resources; Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, the Head of Foreign Relations, and Minister Qubad Talabani, Head of the Department of Coordination and Follow-Up.
The seminar at George Washington University was given by Dr Fuad Hussein and was attended by university professors and policy analysts. After briefing the audience about the history of the Kurds and their struggles to achieve freedom today, Dr Hussein spoke about the role of the Kurdish leadership in building new federal, democratic and pluralistic Iraq.
Dr Hussein spoke of the Kurdistan Region’s achievements and rapid political, economic and social progress. He highlighted the improvements in infrastructure and services for the people of the Region, and a growing private sector where investment is encouraged and which is developing alongside the government. Dr Hussein concluded by talking about the current problems between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, as well as the latest developments in Syria and the region as a whole.
The delegation later visited the Atlantic Council, where Dr Hawrami gave a talk about the KRG’s oil and gas policies. Over 200 people attended, ranging from government officials to experts in the oil and gas sector, investors and heads of companies.
Minister Hawrami briefed the audience about the progress made in the oil and gas sector in Kurdistan, highlighting that all the steps taken so far have been in line with the Kurdistan Region’s rights that are enshrined in Iraq’s constitution.
The KRG ministers also held meetings with senior officials from other think tanks, institutions and universities. They outlined the current situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the region as a whole, particularly the political crisis facing Iraq, and efforts being made to solve the problems through dialogue. They reiterated the KRG’s commitment to Iraq’s constitution and to political agreements, and Baghdad’s refusal to respond to the demands and the rights of the people of the Kurdish Region.
The discussions also covered relations between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey, and the Kurdish leadership’s mediating role between the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), who have agreed to address their longstanding conflict through dialogue.
US-Kurdistan Business Council meets with senior KRG delegation
Washington, US - The United States-Kurdistan Business Council (USKBC) on Thurday met with a ministerial-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The delegation visiting the US capital includes Dr Fuad Hussein, Kurdistan Region President Barzani’s Chief of Staff; Dr Ashti Hawrami, the Minister of Natural Resources; Minister Falah Bakir, the Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, and Minister Qubad Talabani who heads the KRG Department of Coordination and Follow-Up.
Dr Hussein briefed the USKBC companies about a range of timely political and economic issues that have implications in Iraq and the broader region. He outlined how the Kurdistan Region is a conducive, investment-friendly emerging market for American corporations in the heart of the Middle East and an excellent commercial platform for companies from which to do business in other parts of Iraq. Dr Fuad answered questions about the Kurdistan market including on issues pertaining to the oil and gas sector.
“We are excited to be in Washington this week,” said Minister Bakir, “we are here to discuss with our American friends very serious political challenges in Iraq.” He added, “While we feel that the Kurdistan Region is moving in the correct direction, there is real disagreement with the Federal government about the vision for Iraq.”
During the meeting, USKBC board members expressed their support for the KRG and its engagement of the US government. For its part, the delegation thanked the USKBC and its participating companies for their valuable role in Kurdistan’s development.
“We in the US have a strong ally in the KRG,” said USKBC CEO, James L. Jones, General, USMC (Ret.). He added, “The USKBC is always looking for ways to support development in the Kurdistan Region, and one key way to do so is through continued and strengthened business relations between the United States and Kurdistan.”
About the United States-Kurdistan Business Council
The USKBC is dedicated to facilitating trade and commerce for US companies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and to strengthening ties between the private sector in the US and Kurdistan Region. With one of the most liberal investment laws in the Middle East and significant needs in almost every industry sector, the Kurdistan Region presents untapped business opportunities for US companies. The council also works closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government and private businesses in the Kurdistan Region to ensure that foreign investment reinforces the already enormous economic opportunities there. For more information on business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, please visit USKBC.org
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation visiting the US capital includes Dr Fuad Hussein, President Masoud Barzani’s Chief of Staff; Dr Ashti Hawrami, the Minister of Natural Resources; Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, the Head of Foreign Relations, and Minister Qubad Talabani, Head of the Department of Coordination and Follow-Up.
The seminar at George Washington University was given by Dr Fuad Hussein and was attended by university professors and policy analysts. After briefing the audience about the history of the Kurds and their struggles to achieve freedom today, Dr Hussein spoke about the role of the Kurdish leadership in building new federal, democratic and pluralistic Iraq.
Dr Hussein spoke of the Kurdistan Region’s achievements and rapid political, economic and social progress. He highlighted the improvements in infrastructure and services for the people of the Region, and a growing private sector where investment is encouraged and which is developing alongside the government. Dr Hussein concluded by talking about the current problems between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad, as well as the latest developments in Syria and the region as a whole.
The delegation later visited the Atlantic Council, where Dr Hawrami gave a talk about the KRG’s oil and gas policies. Over 200 people attended, ranging from government officials to experts in the oil and gas sector, investors and heads of companies.
Minister Hawrami briefed the audience about the progress made in the oil and gas sector in Kurdistan, highlighting that all the steps taken so far have been in line with the Kurdistan Region’s rights that are enshrined in Iraq’s constitution.
The KRG ministers also held meetings with senior officials from other think tanks, institutions and universities. They outlined the current situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the region as a whole, particularly the political crisis facing Iraq, and efforts being made to solve the problems through dialogue. They reiterated the KRG’s commitment to Iraq’s constitution and to political agreements, and Baghdad’s refusal to respond to the demands and the rights of the people of the Kurdish Region.
The discussions also covered relations between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey, and the Kurdish leadership’s mediating role between the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), who have agreed to address their longstanding conflict through dialogue.
US-Kurdistan Business Council meets with senior KRG delegation
Washington, US - The United States-Kurdistan Business Council (USKBC) on Thurday met with a ministerial-level delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The delegation visiting the US capital includes Dr Fuad Hussein, Kurdistan Region President Barzani’s Chief of Staff; Dr Ashti Hawrami, the Minister of Natural Resources; Minister Falah Bakir, the Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, and Minister Qubad Talabani who heads the KRG Department of Coordination and Follow-Up.
Dr Hussein briefed the USKBC companies about a range of timely political and economic issues that have implications in Iraq and the broader region. He outlined how the Kurdistan Region is a conducive, investment-friendly emerging market for American corporations in the heart of the Middle East and an excellent commercial platform for companies from which to do business in other parts of Iraq. Dr Fuad answered questions about the Kurdistan market including on issues pertaining to the oil and gas sector.
“We are excited to be in Washington this week,” said Minister Bakir, “we are here to discuss with our American friends very serious political challenges in Iraq.” He added, “While we feel that the Kurdistan Region is moving in the correct direction, there is real disagreement with the Federal government about the vision for Iraq.”
During the meeting, USKBC board members expressed their support for the KRG and its engagement of the US government. For its part, the delegation thanked the USKBC and its participating companies for their valuable role in Kurdistan’s development.
“We in the US have a strong ally in the KRG,” said USKBC CEO, James L. Jones, General, USMC (Ret.). He added, “The USKBC is always looking for ways to support development in the Kurdistan Region, and one key way to do so is through continued and strengthened business relations between the United States and Kurdistan.”
About the United States-Kurdistan Business Council
The USKBC is dedicated to facilitating trade and commerce for US companies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and to strengthening ties between the private sector in the US and Kurdistan Region. With one of the most liberal investment laws in the Middle East and significant needs in almost every industry sector, the Kurdistan Region presents untapped business opportunities for US companies. The council also works closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government and private businesses in the Kurdistan Region to ensure that foreign investment reinforces the already enormous economic opportunities there. For more information on business opportunities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, please visit USKBC.org