Italy Considers Kurdistan Region as ‘Gateway’ to Iraq, Ambassador Says

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Italy considers the Kurdistan Region as the “gateway” to Iraq, and 20 Italian companies are active in the autonomous enclave with total trade of $4 billion, Italy’s new ambassador to Iraq said.

“Trade between the Kurdistan Region and Italy has reached $4 billion and 20 Italian companies are present in the Kurdistan Region,” said Massimo Maroti, who recently visited Erbil and emphasized the importance of mutual economic relations.

 “We consider the Kurdistan Region as the gateway to the rest of Iraq. There are huge investment opportunities in the Kurdistan Region and Italian companies are interested in contributing to the economic development of the region,” he said.

Recently, Italy’s Sachai Institute organized the Italian Economic Forum in Erbil, aimed at finding “ways of cooperation between Kurdish and Italian companies and to further introduce the investment opportunities in the Kurdistan Region to Italian companies,” said Marco Ferrioli, the head of the institute.

Italy opened its consulate in Erbil in July 2011, in order to strengthen economic cooperation and facilitate visas for Kurdish businessmen.

Italian companies are involved in various sectors in the Kurdistan Region, including health, archeology, agriculture, and transportation.

Giani Verniti, an Italian MP and a friend of the Kurds, spoke of the historical relations between the Kurds and Italians, and said there is a huge potential for greater economic relations between the two sides, due to the safety and stability of the Kurdistan Region.