Hundreds of businessmen, investors and company representatives are expected to gather in Erbil on September 20 for a trilateral economic and investment forum aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between the Kurdistan Region, Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

Preparations are underway for the forum, which will focus on expanding economic and commercial relations among the three sides and creating new opportunities for investment and trade, according to Ibrahim Agha Gardi, a member of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Gardi told Kurdistan24 that around 130 participants from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s central and southern provinces are expected to attend, along with approximately 150 businessmen and company owners from Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

The forum will also focus on expanding land-based trade between the Kurdistan Region and Azerbaijan. Gardi said the land route connecting the two sides takes around seven hours, describing it as an opportunity to further increase commercial exchanges.

Economic and diplomatic relations between the Kurdistan Region and Azerbaijan have expanded in recent years, particularly following several official visits by senior Kurdistan Region officials to Baku and meetings with Azerbaijan’s president.

The strengthening relationship has created opportunities for broader cooperation in areas including transportation, trade and investment, with land routes expected to play an increasingly important role in connecting the two markets.

Türkiye, meanwhile, remains one of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s most important trading partners, with annual bilateral trade reaching several billion dollars.

The upcoming forum is expected to bring businesses from the three markets together to explore investment opportunities, establish new commercial partnerships and strengthen regional trade connectivity.