During visit to Iran

Erbil and Iran’s Qazvin province sign cooperation deal

ERBIL — The governorate of Erbil and Iran’s Qazvin province signed a wide-ranging cooperation agreement this week to expand ties in trade, agriculture, industry and investment, concluding the second leg of a multi-day visit by an Erbil delegation to Iran.

Led by Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw, the delegation spent three days in Iran, meeting with officials in Tehran and Qazvin. The agreement with Qazvin was signed Tuesday evening during a meeting with Governor Mohammad Nozari and outlines joint efforts to ease investment procedures, promote private sector ties, and develop shared initiatives in tourism, healthcare and manufacturing.

“This agreement is a step toward greater economic engagement,” the Erbil governorate said in a statement Wednesday.

The deal also calls for ongoing meetings between the two sides to chart a long-term roadmap for cooperation and maintain momentum in bilateral coordination.

Earlier in the visit, Khoshnaw met with Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadeq Motamedian. That meeting produced a separate memorandum focused on removing business barriers and increasing commercial ties between the two capitals.

Provisions in the Tehran agreement include issuing work permits for residents of both governorates in banking and commercial sectors, strengthening Iran’s trade presence in Erbil, and streamlining customs procedures.

Erbil and Tehran also agreed to exchange trade delegations, organize joint exhibitions and conferences, and share data on approved goods and trade conditions. The agreement includes cooperation in construction, engineering, and tourism — particularly medical tourism — as well as education and cultural programming.

Both sides pledged to share research and technical expertise in biotechnology, medical engineering and nanotechnology. Iran also offered to facilitate enrollment of Erbil students in universities in Tehran.