At a Glance

• KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani said economic challenges cannot be addressed by government alone and require meaningful private-sector participation and expert input.
• Talabani highlighted Slemani's potential as an investment and economic hub in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
• The Slemani Summit 2026 is being held September 17–18 at the Grand Millennium Hotel, bringing together government officials, investors, banking and business leaders, and economic experts.
• The summit focuses on directing capital toward sustainable growth in the real estate and industrial sectors, alongside banking, investment and public-private cooperation.

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Kurdistan Regional Caretaker Government Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani has called for a stronger role for the private sector and economic experts in addressing financial and economic challenges. Speaking at the Slemani Summit 2026, Talabani also highlighted Slemani's potential to become a major center for investment and economic activity in Iraq.

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Key Statements

"Economic challenges cannot be solved by the government alone."

Qubad Talabani stressed that addressing economic problems requires genuine partnership with the private sector and consultation with specialists.

"Slemani has the potential to become an important center for investment and economic activity."

Talabani highlighted the city's economic, cultural and human-capital potential.

"We welcome criticism and recommendations from experts in the financial sector."

Talabani called for greater involvement from specialists in shaping economic policy and reform.

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Talabani's Economic Priorities

Priority	Focus
Private-sector participation	Greater involvement of businesses and investors in economic development
Expert consultation	Incorporating specialist advice into economic policymaking
Investment	Strengthening Slemani's position as an investment destination
Economic diversification	Expanding economic activity beyond dependence on traditional revenue sources
Youth and innovation	Creating an environment that supports young entrepreneurs and innovation
Culture and creative industries	Recognizing cinema, theater and cultural activity as contributors to economic development
Public-private cooperation	Connecting government institutions, investors and businesses in economic planning

Summit Framework

The Slemani Summit 2026, organized by the Vision Foundation, runs for two days and brings together political leaders, government officials, investors, bankers, business representatives and economic experts. Its stated theme is "Directing Capital Toward Sustainable Growth in Real Estate and Industry."

Discussions cover banking, investment, real estate and industry, with particular attention to investor challenges, banking confidence, and economic and political issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

FYI

Talabani's remarks place the private sector at the center of a broader discussion over economic diversification and investment in the Kurdistan Region. His emphasis on expert participation also reflects an existing debate over how economic reforms should be translated from policy statements into practical measures. At an earlier 2026 economic forum in Slemani, Talabani similarly called for revenue diversification and stressed that reform requires concrete steps rather than slogans.

The current summit brings that discussion into a more sector-focused setting, with banking, investment, real estate and industry among its central themes. Organizers and participants are also examining obstacles facing investors and businesses, including access to banking services and the economic disputes between Erbil and Baghdad.

For Slemani, the summit reinforces an effort to position the city as a venue for economic dialogue and investment. Whether that translates into sustained investment will depend on practical outcomes, including improved access to finance, reduced administrative barriers and stronger coordination between public institutions and the private sector.

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