Bulgarian cigarettes, military clothes and medicines are on demand in Kurdistan
The Director of the Association for Friendship Kurdistan – Bulgaria, Mr. Saad Taha visited BCCI and met with the Chamber’s President Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov. Information about the current economic situation in Iraqi Kurdistan was presented. Iraqi Kurdistan is an autonomous region of Iraq, but its economy has been largely affected by the post-war development of the country’s international relations.
More than 12 000 companies from all over the world operate in Kurdistan. The Region is interested in importing Bulgarian cigarettes, military clothes and medicines. Negotiations are held for treatment of citizens of Iraqi Kurdistan in Bulgarian hospitals and education in our universities. Kurdistan has rich oil reserves. Extraction is carried out, but the oil hardly undergoes any processing due to the fact that all industrial enterprises were closed during the war.
During the meeting difficulties in obtaining Bulgarian visas were also discussed. Despite earlier talks to open a Consular Department of Bulgaria in Iraqi Kurdistan, the plan still hasn’t been put to action. At the moment, those willing to visit Bulgaria apply and receive visas at the Bulgarian Embassy in Iran. BCCI undertook together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kurdistan to seek a solution as far as business visas are concerned.
Mr. Taha informed about an upcoming visit of several trade companies from Iraqi Kurdistan in the beginning of 2012. Meetings with Bulgarian partners have already been arranged.