Interview
Iraqi Ambassador to Vienna Bakir Fatah speaking to Rudaw on July 1, 2024. Photo: Rudaw/screengrab
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s ambassador to Austria on Monday said that the European country is seeking more investment opportunities in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, adding that increased stability and security is the main factor in encouraging the Austrian companies toward further engagement.
“The Austrians are eyeing to increase investment in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq,” Iraqi Ambassador to Vienna Bakir Fatah told Rudaw, adding that they expect an economic conference is held in the coming years, featuring investors from all three sides.
Fatah said that Austrian companies are seeking to take advantage of the relative stability and security of Iraq and the Kurdistan and participate further in the investment process, especially in the fields of agriculture and medicine.
“Stability and security are the most important things for investors to turn to countries. The better the stability and security of the Kurdistan Region, the more Austrian companies will turn to Kurdistan and Iraq. This would be a great incentive,” the diplomat added.
Barzani arrived in Vienna on Monday for an official visit and is set to meet with Austria’s president and foreign minister on Tuesday. In the meetings with the Austrian officials, the Kurdish leader will highlight opportunities and avenues to strengthen Vienna’s ties with Erbil and Baghdad, according to the Kurdistan Region presidency.
“Yes there is a [commercial] office now, but we are eyeing opening a consulate as well… the efforts continue and I hope this [Barzani’s] trip leads to expediting the opening of the consulate,” Fatah added.
Austria closed its embassy in Baghdad in 1991 over security concerns. The country had a representation in the Iraqi capital since 2022, and reopened its embassy in September. It does not have a consulate in Erbil but has had a commercial office in the Kurdish capital since 2006.
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