Foster opens new Invest NI office in Kurdistan

The office, in Erbil, will provide in-market support to local companies seeking to do business in Kurdistan.

Speaking in Erbil, Arlene Foster said: “Having a dedicated team on the ground in Kurdistan will further enhance the support network we have available to help Northern Ireland businesses build contacts in the region.

“Increasing our overseas presence is an important part of our Economic Strategy, which supports the significant export-led growth targets in the Programme for Government.

“The opening of the Kurdistan office is an additional element offered by Invest Northern Ireland in the Middle East, following the development of our Business hub in Dubai and the opening of our office in Jeddah last year.”

While in Kurdistan, the Minister also met with the President of Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani before jointly signing a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen trade links between Northern Ireland and Kurdistan with Head of Foreign Affairs Falah Mustafa.

Arlene Foster also met with Kurdistan’s Minister of Higher Education, Dr Ali Saeed and Minister of Trade and Industry Sinan Chalabi.