DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE KURDISTAN REGION
For investment enquires please contact the Kurdistan Investment Board
http://www.kurdistaninvestment.org
Head Office
Erbil City, In front of the Council of Ministers Building, 30 Metre Street
Telephone: +964 (0)66 2531559/253 5010
Email: info@kurdistaninvestment.org
Suleimaniah Branch
Suleimaniah City- Hammdi Street, Kani Askan District
Telephone : +964 (0)53 312 39 07/312 3918
Email: suli@kurdistaninvestment.org
Dohuk Branch
Dohuk City - 1st Shubat Street
Telephone : +964 (0)62 7627175/7627 013
Email: duhok@kurdistaninvestment.org
The Kurdistan Investment Law is explained and can be downloaded online from
http://www.krg.org/articles/detail.asp?lngnr=12&smap=03010800&rnr=145&anr=18620
The Kurdistan Region: Invest in the Future is a publication produced by the KRG that gives an overview of investment opportunities in many sectors. The PDF versions can be viewed and
downloaded from these links:
2009 edition: http://www.krg.org/uploads/documents/invest_in_kurdistan_2009.pdf
2008 edition: http://www.krg.org/uploads/documents/Invest_in_the_Future_2008.pdf
Hard copies can be obtained from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of
Foreign Relations in Erbil, KRG offices abroad and the publisher Newsdesk Media, email
info@newsdeskmedia.com
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
ERBIL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Nearly 20,000 members as of 2008, of which 16,000 were registered as trading companies, about
1,000 were industrial firms and over 2,000 were other types of businesses.
President: Mr Dara Jalil Khayat
Website: www.erbilchamber.org
Email: erbilchamberofcommerce@yahoo.com
Tel: +964 (0)66 2222014, +964 (0)66 2222162, +964 (0)66 2230671
Visiting address: Aras Street, Chamber of commerce BLDG., Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
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SULEIMANIAH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Over 30,000 members
Chairman: Mr Hassan Baqi Hawrami
Website: www.sulcci.com
Email: info@sulcci.com ; sulaimanychamber@yahoo.com ; info@sule-chamber.org
Tel: +964 (0)53 312 3293/3772/6845
Fax: +964 (0)52 312 6985
Visiting address: Sulaimany Salim St, Opp. Sulaimany Museum, SCC Building, Kurdistan Region,
Iraq
DUHOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
President: Mr Ayad H. Abdul Halim
Website: www.duhokchamber.com
Email: info@duhokchamber.com , ayad@duhokchamber.com
Alternative email: abdulhalim_h@yahoo.com
Tel: +964 (0)750 471 7827
Mr Abdulsalam Salih al-Doski - Adviser, Tel: +964 (0)62 722 1647
Mr Mustafa Ramazan Ahmed - Manager, Tel: +964 (0)62 722 4633
CONTRACTORS UNION
The Kurdistan Contractors Union represents local contracting companies.
President: Mr Ahmad Aziz Rekani
Website: www.balendaran.com
Email: balendaran@yahoo.com
Tel: +964 (0)53 321 0496
Tel: +964 (0)7701 433333
Tel: +964 (0)7701435822
Tel: +964 (0)750 112 6969
IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS UNION OF IRAQ, KURDISTAN REGION
The Kurdistan branch of the Importers and Exporters Union represents local companies that trade
internationally.
Chairman: Mr Mustafa Abdulrahman Abdullah
Website: http://www.ieku.org/English.aspx
For contact details, please see:
http://www.ieku.org/Lqekanman_E.aspx?Babet=Part&Nawnishan=Lqekanman
TRADE AND INDUSTRY ENQUIRIES
For trade enquires please contact the Ministry of Trade and Industry:
http://www.kurdistanmot.com/en/mail.php
TRADE MISSIONS TO THE KURDISTAN REGION
The KRG welcomes inward trade or investment missions. Companies and trade associations can
contact the KRG for advice on visiting the Region and exploring business opportunities:
The KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Erbil: dfr@krg.org
KRG Representation to the UK, London: uk@krg.org
KRG Representation to the US, Washington DC: us@krg.org
See also contact details for all of the KRG Representations abroad:
http://www.krg.org/articles/detail.asp?rnr=161&lngnr=12&smap=04080100&anr=65
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The KRG regularly welcomes and assists inward business delegations from many countries,
including from the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea,
Lebanon, Spain, Turkey, the US and the UK. Please contact your country’s trade ministry or trade
associations to enquire about their missions to the Kurdistan Region.
The US Department of Commerce Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force (IIRTF), the
Middle East Association (a leading British trade association), and Invest Northern Ireland (the
official trade and investment agency) have organised and led trade missions to the Kurdistan
Region. Please contact the IIRTF, the MEA or Invest Northern Ireland if you would like to know
more about participating in one of their missions and their criteria or conditions for participants:
http://trade.gov/iraq/
http://www.the-mea.co.uk/
http://www.investni.com/
TRAVEL AND VISAS
For information on flights to the Kurdistan Region please see:
http://www.krg.org/articles/detail.asp?rnr=154&lngnr=12&smap=03017500&anr=11535

For general information about the Kurdistan Region in Iraq please visit the Kurdistan Regional
Government website, http://www.krg.org/
For tourism information please see the Kurdistan Regional Government website,
http://www.krg.org/articles/detail.asp?rnr=153&lngnr=12&smap=03016400&anr=18692
For visa information, please contact your nearest Iraqi embassy, or email the KRG at dfr@krg.org
uk@krg.org or us@krg.org
HOW TO SET UP A COMPANY OR BRANCH IN THE KURDISTAN REGION IN IRAQ
NOTE: IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED TO SEEK APPROPRIATE LOCAL LEGAL ADVICE
Most of the procedures outlined below can be undertaken by a local lawyer and accountant. To
find a local lawyer please contact the Kurdistan Lawyers Syndicate, Mr Sirwan Allaf
sirwan_lawyer@yahoo.com or Mr Kaka Rash Nakshbandi kba_1993@yahoo.com
Local lawyers offering company registration advice and services include:
Consultant Lawyer Mr Karkhi K. Abdulwahab, Erbil
Member of the International Bar Association
karkhikamal@yahoo.com
Tel. +964 (0)66 222 8570
Nuri Yaba Law office
Erbil: bangeen@nuriyabalaw.com , Tel. +964 (0)66 223 4849, +964 (0)750 456 4657
Baghdad: sarab@nuriyabalaw.com, Tel. +964 (0)7701 262380
Foreign companies wishing to register a branch in the Kurdistan Region
These are some of the steps involved in opening a branch office. Reputable local lawyers can
advise and assist with the process. The following documents and forms can be provided in
English, Kurdish or Arabic.
1. Certified copy of company's registered name.
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2. Company registration certificate, authorised by the company's country of origin, and certified
by the nearest Iraqi embassy or official KRG representation abroad. See the list of KRG
representations abroad on the KRG website:
http://www.krg.org/articles/detail.asp?rnr=161&lngnr=12&smap=04080100&anr=65
3. Letter from the main company, on company letterhead, authorising the opening of a branch
office in Kurdistan. This letter should identify the branch office's lawyer and accountant (both
must be Iraqi), and the authorised branch manager (can be any nationality). At least three
residents of the Kurdistan Region as company employees and their positions stated. This
letter should also be certified by the nearest Iraqi embassy or an official KRG representation
abroad.
4. Deposit of funds (exact amount depends on the type of company) to be held in escrow by the
Kurdistan Regional Government during the period the company operates in the Kurdistan
Region. The funds will be returned when the company leaves the Region.
5. A copy of the main company's financial statements covering the previous year.
6. A branch registration fee of 200,000 Iraqi Dinars.
7. Certified rental contract for the branch premises in the Kurdistan Region.
8. Certified copies of work contracts (if any) that the company has signed in the Kurdistan
Region.
9. Completion of the Foreign Branch or Trade Office Registration Form, to reserve and register
the branch office. This is available from the KRG Ministry of Trade and Industry or your
lawyer can obtain and complete it for you.
10. Certified copies of the passports of foreign partners/employees, and ID cards of Iraqi
employees. Foreign employees should obtain residency from the Ministry for the Interior.
11. Letter from an Iraqi lawyer affirming the validity and legality of all the above documents.
12. The KRG Ministry of Trade General (Company Registration Directorate) is responsible for
company and branch registration, please see the trade ministry website
http://www.mtikrg.org/English.aspx for more details.
Requirements for opening a new company (not a branch office)
1. Minutes must be taken of an inaugural Board meeting held at the companies registered office
in Kurdistan. A Managing Director and all members of the board must be appointed and
minutes are signed by all shareholders (or their nominee).
2. Each shareholder needs to provide two passport photographs and a copy of his/her passport.
3. A Foundation Contract to be prepared by a lawyer registered in Kurdistan. This is
compulsory. A local lawyer must subsequently be retained by the company.
4. Company name has to be registered at the relevant Chamber of Commerce in either Erbil,
Dohuk or Suleimaniah.
5. Accounts have to be prepared and signed off by a local accountant who must be a member
of the local Syndicate of Accountants.
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Approximate costs of establishing an office (as of January 2007)
Company registration fee: USD370
Legal/Solicitor fees: USD2,000 - 5,000 depending on size of company
Monthly legal retainer: USD 500
Accountants fees (set-up): USD1,000
Monthly accounts thereafter: USD200
Office* USD2,500 – 3,500 per month
Car & Driver USD1,000 per month
Guards** USD400 per guard per month
Generator purchase cost USD7,000
Diesel and maintenance USD300 per month
Notes on office and staff costs (as of January 2007)
* Office space and housing are the same. There is still a great shortage in designated office
space so it is normal to rent a house and turn it into an office with accommodation.
** Depending on the size of the company and the number of staff, it is advisable to employ four
Guards to work in shifts (two on and two off).
An Office manager would expect a wage in the region of USD1,000-1,500 per month. If required a
secretary/translator would earn approx USD700-1,000 per month according to age and experience. It
is expected to provide lunch and other meals as necessary for staff, a food bill for two people
would come to approximately USD150-200 per month.
TRADE SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS IN THE KURDISTAN REGION IN 2011
(In chronological order)
3rd Erbil Trade Solo Exhibition for Construction and Municipalities 2011 & Erbil Stone
3 - 6 March 2011
Website: www.pyramidsfair.com
5th Erbil International Book Fair
2 - 11 April 2011
1st Airports Expansion, Cargo & Logistics Conference and Exhibition, Erbil
26 – 28 April 2011
Website: http://www.arabianreach.com/iraq/
4th Iranian Industries Fair, Erbil
11 – 15 May 2011
Website: www.urmiafair.com
5th Italian Expo for Industries and Technologies, Erbil
11 - 14 June 2011
Website: www.italianexpo.it
2nd DBX Duhok International Expo
11 - 14 September 2011
Website: http://dbxkurdistan.com/duhok/2011/
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Project Iraq, PMV Iraq, and Elenex Iraq, Erbil
19 – 22 September 2011
Website: www.project-iraq.com , www.elenex-iraq.com and www.ifpiraq.com
These three exhibitions, Project Iraq, PMV Iraq and Elenex Iraq will be held concurrently.
Makinat Iraq 2011, Erbil
3 - 6 October 2011
Website: www.makinat-iraq.com and www.ifpiraq.com
Iraq Medicare Fair, Erbil
4 - 6 October 2011
Website: www.iraqmedicare.com and www.ifpiraq.com
Suleimaniah International Expo
10 – 13 October 2011
Website: www.pyramidsfair.com
7th Erbil International Trade Fair, Erbil
24 - 27 October 2011
Website: www.eif-expo.com and www.ifpiraq.com
Erbil International Fair is the largest general trade fair in Iraq covering various economic sectors.
Supported by a large number of trade promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, trade
associations, ministries and embassies, the fair will attract more than 850 exhibitors from over 25
countries from around the Middle East, Asia, the Americas and Europe.
7th DBX Suleimaniah International Expo
1 - 4 November 2011
Website: http://dbxkurdistan.com/sulaymaniyah/2011/
Suleimaniah is Kurdistan’s most populous city and governorate. Organised by the Iraqi-American
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the DBX Suleimaniah International Expo is in its seventh
year and growing fast. Over 550 international and local companies participated last year,
attracting more than 95,000 visitors.
4th Iraq Agro-Food Fair, Erbil
21 - 24 November 2011
Website: www.iraqagrofood.com
Suleimaniah Build Expo
29 November – 2 December 2011
Website: www.pyramidsfair.com
Household and Hotel Equipment Fair, Erbil
5 – 8 December 2011
Website: www.pyramidsfair.com
5 in 1 Expo, Erbil
5 – 8 December 2011
Website: www.pyramidsfair.com