Prime Minister Masrour Barzani laid the foundation stone for the Kurdistan Innovation Institute’s (KII) Science Park, launching a transformative project designed to position the Kurdistan Region as a regional hub for research, technology, and entrepreneurship.
The Science Park represents a major step in the KRG’s strategy to diversify the economy and invest in human capital by fostering collaboration between innovators, academics, and the private sector. Situated on a 200,000-square-meter site in Erbil, the facility will include laboratories, offices, co-working and meeting spaces, as well as housing and recreation areas for researchers and visiting professionals.
A New Era for Innovation in Kurdistan
Prime Minister Barzani described the project as the realization of a vision first introduced with the establishment of the Kurdistan Innovation Institute in 2022.
“Three years ago, we launched the Kurdistan Innovation Institute with a promise to build a space that would help innovators turn their ideas into real projects,” said Prime Minister Barzani. “Today, we lay the foundation for that space — a home for innovators to come together and drive Kurdistan forward with their ideas.”
The Science Park aims to create a platform where entrepreneurs and researchers can develop solutions in areas such as renewable energy, information technology, biotechnology, and digital services — turning innovation into enterprise and linking academic research directly to industry needs.
Designed for Sustainability and Global Collaboration
Developed in partnership with Swedish architecture firm Wingardh Arkitektkontor, the Science Park’s design draws inspiration from the Kurdistan Region’s mountain landscape. Its sustainable design will utilize renewable energy, solar collection, and rainwater harvesting, reinforcing the KRG’s commitment to green and resilient development.
The KRG sees this project not only as a scientific endeavor but as a model for international collaboration. The park will serve as a bridge between local talent and global expertise, encouraging partnerships with international universities, technology firms, and investors seeking opportunities in the Region’s emerging innovation economy.
Driving Economic Diversification
The establishment of the Science Park aligns closely with the KRG’s economic diversification agenda — the same vision driving major infrastructure and investment initiatives such as the recently completed Gomaspan–Smaqoli highway and over $110 billion in new energy and development agreements signed under Prime Minister Barzani’s leadership. Together, these projects reflect a government-wide focus on building a self-reliant, future-oriented Kurdistan supported by strong institutions and private sector growth.
Innovation at the Heart of Reform
The KII will oversee operations of the Science Park, providing mentorship, training, and incubation programs for startups and inventors. By connecting research with entrepreneurship, KII aims to generate practical solutions for the Region’s economic challenges while creating new jobs for skilled youth.
The initiative also reflects the KRG’s broader reform priorities — investing in education, digital transformation, and innovation as key enablers of long-term stability and prosperity.
