The UK’s Middle East Association (MEA), in partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government, will be leading a Trade Delegation to Iraqi Kurdistan from 24th February to 1st March 2013, visiting Erbil and Duhok.

The Kurdistan region remains one of the MEA’s major success stories. In October we took another large UK trade delegation to the region with 57 companies to attend the Erbil International Trade Fair and pursue a full programme of calls in the public and private sectors.

Our mission will have a particular focus on healthcare, education, infrastructure, hydroelectric power generation, agriculture and water treatment. Each of these areas of interest will have a comprehensive sector-specific mission programme organised by the KRG.

The stable security situation in Kurdistan has lent itself to business prosperity. Economically, the region is moving rapidly ahead of the rest of Iraq, and the economy’s growth this year is expected to be over 7%. It also has one of the friendliest investment laws in the Middle East. Currently, 68 UK companies are registered in Kurdistan, making the UK the third largest foreign presence in the region. British-Kurdish relations are strong, and British business is welcomed and encouraged for the high quality of its skills, expertise, and products.

Kurdistan remains a very attractive hub for British businesses to export their products, skills and services; they will receive a very warm welcome. We strongly recommend that you explore this emerging market and the wide range of business opportunities.