Washington DC, USA (us.gov.krd) - The KRG Representative to the United States, Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, and a delegation led by the Governor of Duhok visited Michigan to attend the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce’s 20th-anniversary celebration, alongside officials from the state.

Representative Abdul Rahman, Dr Ali Tatar, the Governor of Duhok, Chairman of the Kurdistan Region’s Board of Investment Mohammad Shukri, Assyrian MP Robeena Aziz and Ayad Halem, Chairman of the Duhok Chamber of Commerce, attended the gala dinner on April 28.

The event celebrated the Chamber's 20th Anniversary and awarded its businessperson of the year, Ron Boji. It was attended by several elected city and state officials, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and members of Congress.

During their visit to Michigan, the KRG delegation had separate meetings with Sahar Khoury-Kincannon, Senior Political Advisor on Iraq at the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; local Congresswomen Elisa Slotkin and Hayley Stevens and Congressman John Moolenar. They discussed elections in Kurdistan this year, relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and the urgency of resuming the export of oil from the Kurdistan Region.

Governor Tatar and Representative Abdul Rahman separately discussed with Governor Whitmer how Duhok and Michigan can collaborate towards promoting economic growth and innovation as well as community ties.

The KRG delegation also had a joint meeting with the Chaldean-American Chamber of Commerce and the Chaldean Community Foundation on April 29. Dr. Mohammad Shukri outlined the investment opportunities in Kurdistan, highlighting the KRG’s investment-friendly policies and attractive incentives for foreign investors. Governor Tatar and others in the delegation also expressed the KRG’s open-door policy towards American companies, especially the Chaldean diaspora who wish to reconnect with their original homeland.

Representative Abdul Rahman expressed her appreciation for the Chamber's efforts to promote economic growth and cultural exchange. She also commended the Chaldean diaspora’s resilience and contribution to the diversity and richness of American society.

The KRG Representation is committed to maintaining its  strong ties with the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and the Chaldean Community Foundation, further advancing economic and cultural cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.