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Jordan’s Prime Minister makes historic visit to Kurdistan Region

TUE, 13 SEP 2011 20:24 | KRG Cabinet

Prime Minister Salih (right) and Prime Minister Bakhit stand behind their ministers at the signing of MOUs between the Kurdistan Region and Jordan
Erbil, Kurdistan - Iraq (KRG.org) - Jordan’s Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit this week became the first Jordanian Premier to the visit the Kurdistan Region. On his historic visit, he opened Jordan’s Consulate and led a major two-day Joint Economic Forum in Erbil.

President Masoud Barzani met Prime Minister Bakhit and his delegation, and assured him that Kurdistan’s leadership is united on the importance of strengthening relations with Jordan across all sectors.

Prime Minister Bakhit conveyed warm greetings to President Barzani from His Majesty King Abdullah II and confirmed that the king had asked him to work in every manner possible to enhance cooperation with the Kurdistan Region. He also commended the very important role that the President has played in strengthening the friendship with Jordan and highlighted the historic relationship that ties the people of Jordan and the Kurdistan Region.

At a press conference before the opening of Jordan’s new consulate, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Barham Salih said, “The opening of this consulate will greatly facilitate the further development of our relations with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the areas of education, health, the economy, trade and industry.”

He added that the KRG has asked the Jordanian Prime Minister to work on easing the process of obtaining Jordanian visas for the residents of the Kurdistan Region when they visit Jordan via Erbil and Suleimaniah international airports.

Prime Minister Bakhit said, “We come with open hearts, extending our hand of friendship to the Kurdistan Region with offers to provide assistance in a number of sectors.” The Prime Minister went on to confirm that all the points raised by Dr Salih will be resolved and that all obstacles to improving relations would be removed.

After the press conference, President Masoud Barzani hosted the delegation at a lunch to honour their visit to the Region, and the delegation was given a tour by the Governor of Erbil Nawzad Hadi of the 6,000-year-old Erbil citadel.

During his visit Prime Minister Bakhit, with a large delegation of six cabinet ministers and more than 40 senior officials and business leaders, also held a two-day business forum to bring Jordanian and Kurdish companies together to look at potential opportunities in the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Salih opened the forum, saying, “This visit by Prime Minister Bakhit provides a significant opportunity for continuing to develop relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Kingdom of Jordan.”

Prime Minister Salih spoke about the vast progress that has been made in the Kurdistan Region since 1991 and invited the Jordanian business representatives to take advantage of the unparalleled investment opportunities and partner with Kurdistan’s citizens in continuing this remarkable growth.

Prime Minister Bakhit followed these remarks, highlighting the importance of bolstering Jordan’s economic cooperation with Kurdistan. He said, “We are closely watching the efforts of the Kurdistan Regional Government to develop the Region, and we have been impressed by the economic progress it has made. We look forward to finding ways in which we can improve our economic and commercial ties.” He said that Jordan is ready to share its expertise in many fields such as construction, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and education.

As a result of the two days of meetings with the Jordanian delegation, the KRG signed seven Memoranda of Understanding with Jordan.

The Jordanian Prime Minister and his delegation were received at the airport on Sunday by Prime Minister Salih with several of KRG ministers and senior representatives.

As well as many other high officials and top businessmen, the Jordanian delegation included: Minister of State and Minister of Agriculture Samir Habashneh, Minister of Industry and Trade Dr Hani Mulqi, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Dr Khaled Touqan, Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahia Kisbi, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Atef Tal, Minister of Health Dr Abdellatif Woreikat, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Mohammad Barakat Al Zuhair, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister Abdullah Abu Rumman, Head of the Jordanian Chambers of Commerce Nael Al Kabariti, and Consul General of Jordan to the Kurdistan Region Fayiz Khouri.

The KRG Deputy Prime Minister Azad Barwari participated in the meeting between the two Prime Ministers and the opening of the Jordanian Consulate. Senior KRG officials who also attended the two-day conference included: Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari, President’s Chief of Staff Dr Fuad Hussein, Minister of Natural Resources Ashti Hawrami, Minister of Trade and Industry Sinan Chalabi, Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Jamil Haider, Minister of Planning Ali Sindi, Minister of Housing and Reconstruction Kamaran Abdullah, Minister of Health Taher Hawrami, Minister of Transport and Communications Anwar Sabo, Head of Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, and Chairman of the Investment Board Herish Muharam.

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