Deputy PM: We Will Turn Sulaymaniyah Into Capital of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Kurdistan 11:25 AM - 2025-04-06

Deputy PM Qubad Talabani delivering a speech at the IIEF.

The 2nd International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (IIEF) kicked off in Sulaymaniyah on Sunday, 6 April 2025, where Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, said: "We need our youth, innovators, investors, and politicians to turn Sulaymaniyah into the capital of innovation, entrepreneurship and a commercial centre."

Deputy PM Talabani delivered a speech at the beginning of the forum, stating: "Sulaymaniyah is the capital of culture, but we want to turn it into the capital of innovation and entrepreneurship not only for the Kurdistan Region, but also for Iraq and the region. Everything begins with a small step, and just as our first forum was successful, this forum will establish Sulaymaniyah as a trading centre."

He added: "We need our youth, innovators, investors, and politicians to believe in themselves and become pioneers towards change. Without innovation, we cannot progress. Innovation is the dynamo of the economy."

He further stated: "We have all of the requirements for progress and innovation, hence we should not solely look up to European countries; instead, we should think about making our tomorrow better than yesterday every day. We will make Sulaymaniyah the centre of innovation, entrepreneurship, and progress for the entire region by maintaining these forums."

Innovation, led us to achieve the biometrics project

"Innovation led us to accomplish the biometric system. Every time we asked for the salary lists and data of public employees, there was none! So we created the system, and we now see its results," the Deputy PM said.

Moreover, he said: "The Iraqi government now sends salaries to the Kurdistan Region because of the biometric system. Simultaneously, innovation is required for effective governance, economic diversification, the data revolution, agricultural and tourism development, and diplomatic success."

He added: "You ask what we do for you? We respond; We will create an ideal setting for you to realise your dreams. We will revise the guidelines so that they are not a barrier to accomplishing your dreams. We will protect your products, and we will continue to correct the path to governance reform.  We have a capable nation, a robust infrastructure, a rich heritage, and a proud history to achieve all this."

The aim of this forum is to bring together great minds and great ideas

At the end of his speech, Deputy PM Talabani said: "The main objective of this forum is to bring together great minds, great ideas, talented, and patriotic people, so that we can innovate by combining outside experience with local capacity to make a difference."

"We must also be careful not to misuse all innovations to avoid disasters," he stressed.

The International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (IIEF) is an annual platform based in Sulaymaniyah, the Kurdistan Region. It is dedicated to strengthening the private sector by promoting innovation-driven entrepreneurship and positioning the region as a hub for innovation.

The IIEF seeks to spotlight problems and new solutions while leveraging the inventions of young people. At the same time, in addition to the public benefit, the project benefits the inventors by turning their projects into a reality and giving ownership of the project to the owner of the idea.

The first IIEF took place in Sulaymaniyah on 25 January 2024, and was attended by 300 visitors, consuls, entrepreneurs, and investors.



PUKMEDIA