Nearly 30 Dutch companies work in Kurdistan Region: Diplomat

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - There are about 30 Dutch companies operating in the Kurdistan Region and that number is increasing, Jort Posthumus, acting consul general of the Netherlands in Erbil, told Rudaw on Friday.

Posthumus said it is difficult to give an exact number of Dutch companies working in the Kurdistan Region but they estimate it to be around 20 to 30, some work independently and others have local partners.

The diplomat noted that they face some challenges to encourage Dutch businesses to come to the Kurdish region. 

“The first challenge we face is to get Kurdistan Region of Iraq on their radar,” he said, adding that other obstacles include travel advice and finding potential markets in the Region.  

“The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is classified as orange in the system that we have,” he said, explaining that this means “accessible.”

Despite all the challenges, the number of companies from the Netherlands operating in the Kurdistan Region is increasing, Posthumus said. 

The diplomat also discussed projects for the youth and agriculture.