The MEA, in partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government, will lead a Mission to Kurdistan Region from 12 – 16 July. This replaces the Mission that was to have visited from 18 – 23 April but had to be abandoned because of flying restrictions. David Lloyd will lead. The mission will visit Erbil, the capital city of the Region and Duhok, a major entrepot on the Turkish border

Kurdistan is a haven of peace and growing prosperity and is easily accessible. It is most important that British exporters disabuse themselves of the perception that Kurdistan Region is dangerous and no place in which to do business. It receives 17% of the federal budget and is pulling ahead of the rest of Iraq. In terms of modern technology, it is about one quarter of the way up the learning curve and desperately needs education and training in all sectors. There are huge opportunities for UK plc across the board.  All our major EU competitors and the Turks and the Iranians are there; UK plc is conspicuous by its absence.

There is huge respect and admiration for the British for their role in ridding Iraq of Saddam Hussein. The Kurds want the British to be there to help them with tertiary and vocational training, re-building industries and bringing our extensive experience in agriculture, oilfield development, water management, wholesaling and retailing, and so on.

The FCO travel advice now distinguishes between the Kurdistan region and the other parts of Iraq, reflecting its relative stability, peace and security.

For further information, please contact our mission managers, CT Group Travel, who will send you a full prospectus with programme and travel/accommodation costs when finalised (Tel: 01892 673435;  E-mail: