At a Glance

• Agriculture Minister Begard Talabani leads a senior KRG delegation to the Czech Republic.

• The team includes the Prime Minister's water advisor, water sector directors, and private agribusinesses.

• The visit aims to boost trade, attract investments, and upgrade local water infrastructure.

A senior Kurdistan Regional Government delegation, led by Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Begard Talabani, has arrived in the Czech Republic on an official visit aimed at expanding trade, securing investments, and upgrading the region's water and agricultural infrastructure.

Key Statements and Focus Area

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources said in a statement on Tuesday that “several field visits will be conducted in the fields of agriculture, ponds, dams, water management, animal wealth, and veterinary services.”

• The ministry emphasized that the objective of the visit is to “develop bilateral relations, promote trade exchange, create job opportunities, benefit from each other's expertise, and secure investment opportunities across all sectors.”

Responding to an official invitation from the Czech Minister of Agriculture, the KRG delegation led by Minister Begard Talabani includes the Prime Minister's advisor for water affairs alongside several general directors from the water, dams, and veterinary sectors.

A prominent group of private Kurdistan Region companies specializing in agribusiness, animal wealth, and water management infrastructure are also accompanying the high-level diplomatic mission.

A bilateral ministerial meeting will soon be held alongside a dedicated agricultural forum, bringing together specialized private sector companies from the Czech Republic and the Kurdistan Region.

The itinerary also includes several field visits focusing on agriculture, water management, dams, ponds, veterinary services, and animal wealth.

FYI

The high-level visit directly follows the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s diplomatic presence in Erbil, marked just weeks ago in late October 2026. 

During those celebrations, Czech Consul General Lukáš Gjurič officially announced Minister Begard Talabani's upcoming mission as part of a strategic shift toward deeper economic and scientific cooperation. 

The focus on water infrastructure builds upon the "Czech Republic's Water Day" initiative launched in Erbil in May 2025 to connect Kurdish directorates with Czech engineering experts. 

This collaboration was further strengthened last month during a high-profile "Czech Solutions for Iraq's Water" forum held in Baghdad. For the KRG, partnering with Prague's advanced environmental sectors is a critical step in upgrading local dams, ponds, and irrigation systems to combat regional climate challenges. 

Additionally, the inclusion of private agribusinesses supports Erbil’s ongoing economic strategy to diversify away from oil dependence by promoting local agricultural exports to European markets.

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