Washington - D.C., USA (us.gov.krd) - KRG Representative Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman this week met with the Middle East and Iraq team at the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) to discuss their work and areas of cooperation.

Ms. Abdul Rahman had a virtual meeting with Greg Simpson, CIPE Director for the Middle East and North Africa, his deputy Stephen Rosenlund, Mohammed Al-Saeedi, Iraq program officer, and associate Spencer Newland.

Mr. Simpson and Ms. Abdul Rahman discussed areas of potential cooperation and follow-up. Representative Abdul Rahman outlined the Kurdistan Regional Government's commitment to strengthening the private sector as a driver of growth and its strategy of diversifying the economy while creating jobs.

CIPE has worked in Iraq since 2003. In Kurdistan Region, it partners with the Kurdistan Economic Development Organization (KEDO) to amplify the private sector's voice, strengthen financial decentralization, and promote entrepreneurship and capacity-building.

In October, Ms. Abdul Rahman and Mr. Simpson spoke at a virtual event co-hosted by CIPE and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to highlight three young Kurdish university students who had won a CIPE competition.