ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday inaugurated a new strategic road linking Erbil province to neighboring Iran, paving the way for easier trade and tourism traffic between the two sides.
The 2.5 kilometer-long Haji Omaran freeway, running through Erbil's border town of Haji Omaran was built at the cost of 35 billion dinars.
One US dollar is traded at 1,300 Iraqi dinars at the official rate.
"This is part of the projects the Kurdistan Regional Government has to extend services to everywhere in Kurdistan," Prime Minister Barzani said during the inauguration ceremony. "As you see, this is a rugged and remote area, but it is an international road, so we had to pay attention to it."
Prime Minister Barzani thanked the executing company for managing to "construct it in a very good way for the service of citizens."
"This is an important place because it is a gateway with the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said, adding the Kurdistan Region will have to enhance its ties with Tehran and "make traffic easier for our citizens."
"This project is of particular importance in terms of trade for us. It is important that we boost trade with our neighbors."
Barzani hoped the road would mark the start of building Haji Omaran-Choman two-sided road.
Haji Omaran and Choman, which are 29 kilometers apart, are two strategic towns connecting Erbil province to neighboring Iran. They also are key tourist sites.
Trade ties between Erbil and Tehran are extensive and economically vital, with annual trade between the Kurdistan Region and Iran reaching significant figures, often cited around $6 billion.
The robust exchange is facilitated by several crucial border crossings, including Haji Omran in Erbil province, Bashmakh, and Parviz Khan in Sulaimani province, through which Iran primarily exports food products, construction materials, manufactured goods, and petrochemicals.
Both sides are actively working to enhance these economic relations through high-level visits, agreements, the potential establishment of joint free zones, and a notable presence of Iranian companies in the Kurdistan Region.
Despite these strong connections, the relationship occasionally faces challenges such as logistical bottlenecks, political and security tensions, and discussions over customs procedures, yet efforts continue to strengthen the economic partnership.