New magazine highlights Kurdistan Region’s growing ambitions

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A newly-launched magazine highlights developments in the Kurdistan Region, including governance, business, tourism, quality of life and culture.  

"Brand Kurdistan" published its first issue on Monday, with the support of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani’s office. It also interviewed Barzani and a number of other officials in the Region.
 
“In a rapidly changing world, countries, regions and cities are competing for attention in their quest to promote trade, attract tourists, investors, and talents, and encourage cultural and scientific exchange,” Niyaz Barzani, the project leader, said in a statement.

“The reputation of a place depends on the confidence of the rest of the world. This confidence is directly related to outsiders’ decisions to visit, invest in and recommend a country. In this publication, we set out to demonstrate the key drivers of the Kurdistan brand and its competitive advantages,” he added. 

In an interview with the magazine, President Barzani highlighted several issues such as the Kurdistan Region’s efforts to improve diplomatic, economic and cultural ties with neighboring countries and the international community. 

“We shall continue to pursue international partnerships that build cultural, diplomatic, and economic relationships of mutual interest. Respectful and progressive international relations are essential in order to demonstrate we are a reliable partner for peace and stability and that our Region is safe and secure to attract investment,” he said. 

He also said that to enhance the quality of life in Kurdistan Region, they have begun to “focus more attention, effort, and resources on well-landscaped parks for all to enjoy” despite the economic crisis. 

The magazine also interviewed Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Region. He was asked about the importance of the environment in the Region. 

“Protecting the environment is a top priority. Kurdistan is a beautiful place. From Duhok to Halabja and Garmiyan, there are plenty of nice places that would be of help to Kurdistan’s economy if preserved," he said.

"Protecting the environment by ratifying laws and putting in place regulations which would protect greenish lands and transform them into nature preserves is something that the government takes into consideration.”