Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - In a discussion with Rudaw English, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Qubad Talabani said that enacting reforms and streamlining services are important measures to increase investment and commercial interest in the Region.
Rudaw English hosted a live discussion on the social media platform with Talabani, discussing a broad range of topics ranging from gender-based violence in the Kurdistan Region to the status of current reforms by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Reforms are currently been conducted to enhance the development of the private sector, rural areas, as well as with regards to the Peshmerga. Talabani discussed ways in which the government is working towards streamlining services provided by the ministries, to make them as simple and as least time-consuming as possible. “If it takes 5 days, it's too long. I want it done in one day,” he said.
“Digital transformation is a big element of our work,” he added, talking about the significant role digitalization plays in being able to enact reforms.
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani last month praised the ongoing digitalization of many government services, saying “we have reached milestones in becoming an e-government.” Last year, a number of top KRG officials voiced their support for digitalizing the ministries and cited the need to reduce bureaucracy.
When asked when the effects of the digitalization process would be felt, Talabani assured that living and working the Region would soon be much easier.
Talabani stated that the streamlining of services through digital transformation would make the Kurdistan Region much more attractive to foreign investment and tourism. Reforming the banking sector and facilitating company registration would also garner more investors from outside. This, in turn, will allow the Region to become less dependent on oil for revenue.
"We're working with the ministry of industry to look at these three other areas, industrial development, tourism and agriculture," he added while noting this was not an attempt to replace oil as "we're not that naive."
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