ERBIL - Belgium has thanked the Kurdistan Region for hosting nearly 1.8 million IDPs and Syrian refugees in the past few years, showing readiness to strengthen trade ties with the autonomous region.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received a Belgian delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippe Goffin, in Erbil on Monday, where they discussed various issues.

Goffin said that Belgium is ready to further strengthen its ties with the Kurdistan Region in all areas, especially trade relations, according to a statement by Barzani's office.

The Kurdish prime minister thanked Belgium for its prolonged support to the Kurdistan Region as part of the US-led coalition to combat the Islamic State (IS), the statement added.

He also shed light on his cabinet's agenda, including the plans to diversify the sources of revenue and facilitations for foreign investments in Kurdistan Region.