The challenges facing investors and businesspeople, the obstacles to the entry of major banks into the Kurdistan Region, and ways to restore citizens’ confidence in banks were discussed during a consultative meeting held by the Vision Foundation as part of preparations for the Sulaymaniyah Summit.

The consultative meeting was held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, as part of the final preparations of the Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies for the Sulaymaniyah Summit. The meeting brought together investors and businesspeople, relevant stakeholders, and government representatives

Participants highlighted the most significant challenges facing the banking, real estate, and investment sectors in the Kurdistan Region.

Limited government support and facilitation for investors and businesspeople, as well as disputes between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, were identified as major obstacles to the development of these sectors

Another key topic of discussion was building investor confidence to encourage greater participation and the implementation of more projects, alongside addressing problems related to property titles and ownership, which would create a more favorable environment for investors to undertake additional projects.

Participants proposed that the Kurdistan Regional Government work on collecting accurate statistics, data, and information, while providing support to investors and businesspeople to implement projects in line with citizens’ needs and demands.

Efforts to address the political disputes and tensions between Erbil and Baghdad, prioritizing loans and financial facilities for citizens, and restoring citizens’ confidence in banks were also among the topics discussed.

Participants called on the Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies to organize further focus groups and discussions on these issues, publish the outcomes of these discussions through policy papers and academic research, and present proposals and recommendations as a roadmap for addressing the challenges.

The Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies continues its preparations to organize panels focusing on investment, the real estate sector, banking, and linking the banking sector with investment and industry. These panels will be held as part of the Sulaymaniyah Summit on September 17–18 at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Sulaymaniyah.