At a Glance

• The high-level, two-day economic summit launches this Thursday in Slemani.
• Top Iraqi and Kurdistan Region leaders will gather to deliver keynote speeches on regional economic growth. 
• The summit aims to integrate banking, real estate, industry, and investment to accelerate sustainable growth.

Slemani is preparing to host a pivotal economic summit, bringing together senior leaders from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to discuss attracting foreign investment and accelerating development in the real estate and industrial sectors.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• The Vision Foundation announced that the Slemani Summit is set to commence on Thursday and continue for two days.
• According to the Foundation, the gathering’s objective is to further organize and align the banking, real estate, industrial, and investment sectors.

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Organized by the Vision Foundation, the Slemani Summit convened at the Grand Millennium Hotel under the theme, “Directing Capital Toward Sustainable Growth in Real Estate and Industry.”

Among the keynote guests, Iraqi President Nizar Amedi will deliver an opening address at the summit, while Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani will outline the Region’s vision for economic growth.

Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani is also slated to deliver a keynote speech alongside the Regional President.

The high-level attendance underscores the growing economic coordination between Erbil, Slemani, and Baghdad.

In addition to the speeches of the high-ranking officials, several specialized panels will be held with the participation of government ministers, heads of boards, and directors-general, with the aim of discussing financial policies and developing investment in the private sector.

FYI

The Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies is an independent research center and think tank based in the Kurdistan Region. Founded in September, 2024, by a group of academics, journalists, and policy analysts, the foundation aims to promote regional stability, democratic values, and economic development. 

By hosting high-level events like the Slemani Summit, the foundation provides a vital platform for public-private dialogue, offering evidence-based research and policy recommendations to bridge the gap between governance and economic growth.

Historically celebrated as the Cultural Capital of the Kurdistan Region, Slemani has rapidly evolved into a major economic hub and a gateway for investment in Iraq. 

The city's strategic location, paired with a business-friendly environment, has fueled a massive boom in the real estate, tourism, and manufacturing sectors over the past decade.

As the Kurdistan Region navigates broader financial restructuring, the city's industrial growth serves as a blueprint for diversifying the local economy away from oil reliance, making it the ideal setting for Baghdad and Erbil leaders to align their economic strategies.