ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish business leaders on Friday announced new partnerships with major American companies during the US-Iraq High-Level Business Summit in Washington, highlighting growing private-sector ties as Baghdad and Washington shift their relationship toward long-term economic cooperation during the high-level visit by the Iraqi government delegation.
Among the largest announcements, Barham Company signed an agreement with US engineering giant KBR to develop gas processing infrastructure in Iraq.
"We are here today to sign a contract with the American company KBR, which is a massive and major company," Shwana Azeez of Barham Company told Rudaw at the summit. "The goal is to refine the raw gas we extract and turn it into liquefied gas and dry gas for electricity generation."
He said the project will be implemented in phases, with "the first stage approximately $800 million, and the second stage reaches $2 billion," adding that the agreement was signed "in the presence of the Iraqi Prime Minister."
Sardar al-Bebany, CEO of Sardar Group, announced an expanded partnership with US powersports manufacturer Polaris, saying the company would now exclusively represent the brand across Iraq after previously operating in the Kurdistan Region.
The business announcements came as Iraqi and American officials on Friday unveiled nearly 50 agreements during Zaidi's week-long visit to Washington, signaling a broader shift in bilateral relations from security cooperation toward long-term economic and commercial partnerships.
"We had worked with them in Kurdistan previously, but now, we will start working exclusively for the entire Iraqi market," Bebany said, adding that the agreement covers "automobiles, motorcycles, and various types of mobility."
"So far, we have reached $30 million in business with Polaris. We hope that once we start our operations in cities outside of Kurdistan, it will reach $60 million," he added.
Sabah Bajger of Cihan Group said the summit brought together senior Iraqi officials and business leaders seeking new investment opportunities.
"Many businessmen, entrepreneurs, and company owners participated. We, as entrepreneurs from Kurdistan, took part in this major conference," he said.
Bajger described the attendance of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi as "a great support for all the businessmen who came to find work and business opportunities," adding that Cihan Group hoped to showcase its business activities during the event.
Samir Khther of Ziko Company said his firm is expanding environmental projects with major international energy companies to reduce gas flaring.
"We have contracts with Chevron, ExxonMobil, and BP," he said, explaining that the company's projects aim to prevent gas flares from emitting black smoke.
"Our job is to prevent flares from emitting black smoke, which impacts the health and lives of citizens," Khther said.
He added that Ziko now has contracts with Lukoil, BP, Shell, and South Gas in southern Iraq and has also begun similar work in the Kurdistan Region.
"We have started working in Kurdistan with the Bazian and Lanaz refineries... We will assist them in providing a safer and cleaner environment for our citizens," he said.
Zaidi has described the visit as the beginning of an "economic" rather than "military" partnership with the US, while Iraqi officials said the agreements include major investments in oil, gas, electricity, and infrastructure.
Iraqi Oil Minister Basem Mohammed Khudair al-Abadi said the partnerships with companies including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, and KBR are intended to expand Iraq's oil and gas production, reduce gas flaring, and secure fuel supplies for electricity generation. The agreements come ahead of the planned withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq by the end of September, with both countries seeking to deepen political and economic cooperation.
