ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Kurdistan Region is a finalist at the UAE’s 2026 Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress, for its success in attracting foreign direct investment projects, an official said Sunday.

The Kurdistan Region’s Board of Investment, through Invest Kurdistan, is participating in the AIM 2026 Congress, being held from September 7-9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

"Our participation in AIM Congress 2026 and our nomination for the AIM Investment Awards reflect the progress the Kurdistan Region has begun to make in creating a favorable and attractive environment for foreign investment,” Chairman of the Kurdistan Region's Board of Investment Mohammed Shukri told The New Region.

“We are proud to stand alongside our leading private-sector companies to demonstrate that Kurdistan is open for business and ready for global partnership," Shukri added.

The Kurdistan Region is participating in the annual conference for the third time this year, joining over 180 countries and investment promotion agencies (IPAs).

“We have officially been informed that Kurdistan is either a winner or runner-up, with the final ranking to be revealed at the gala dinner,” Iman Wshyar Ismael, head of marketing and communications at Invest Kurdistan, told The New Region on Sunday.

The achievement was described as “a significant milestone for the Kurdistan Region,” particularly as it marks the Region’s first time participating in the competition.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has intensified efforts in recent years to diversify its revenue sources and make the Region an appealing destination for international businesses.

Erbil is set to host traders and investors from Turkey and Azerbaijan for an investment summit in September.

The summit aims to attract investors from the two countries by showcasing investment opportunities across the Kurdistan Region, encouraging them to invest independently in various sectors or in partnership with local investors, Bargasht Akrayi, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region's Board of Investment, told The New Region.