The real estate market in the Kurdistan Region benefits from several key factors, including rising demand for housing across various types, the proliferation of gated residential complexes, expansion of commercial centers, hotels, and office buildings, and government incentives such as tax exemptions and flexible licensing that accelerate large-scale project implementation. Additionally, the region’s geographic location and security stability enhance its appeal to investors, particularly as the middle class expands and demand grows for urban housing meeting modern standards. n nKey Figures and Facts on Kurdistan’s Real Estate Sector n nAccording to official data from the Investment Board of the Kurdistan Regional Government: n nOver 214,000 housing units have been constructed since 2006. n nThese include more than 105,000 apartments, 92,000 houses, and 17,000 villas. n nErbil Leads Regional Real Estate Activity n nIn 2024 alone, Erbil saw the launch of over 52,000 new residential units, with 27,000 expected to be completed this year. n nTotal investments in the construction sector in the Kurdistan Region have reached approximately $25 billion since 2013. n nThis real estate boom is boosting demand for locally produced building materials, creating promising investment opportunities in the sector. n nDania Kawah: A Quiet Force Amid Challenges n nIn an exclusive interview conducted by Sky News Arabia’s economics editor, Lebna Bouza, with Dania Kawah, Chairwoman of South Kurdistan Group, during the Hi-Techs 2025 exhibition, Kawah emphasized the pivotal role of the private sector in real estate development, while preserving local heritage and embracing modern advancements. n nKawah stated: “Kurdistan is currently experiencing continuous growth, evident in tangible projects. The real estate sector is one of the main drivers of this expansion, and despite political, economic, and geopolitical challenges, it has maintained steady growth.” n nShe added that both local and international investors are closely watching investment prospects in the region, noting that the annual growth rate in the real estate sector in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil over the past five years has ranged between 10% and 15%, reflecting the success of public and private policies in infrastructure development and investment promotion. n nSpecial Incentives to Attract Foreign Investors n nKawah confirmed that the region offers concrete incentives for foreign investors, most notably granting five-year residency permits upon property purchase—a strategic move to boost foreign capital inflow into the Kurdish market. This initiative is part of a clear policy to support the real estate sector and encourage foreign investment, contributing to sustainable economic growth. n nShe explained that real estate growth is closely linked to tourism development, emphasizing that a secure environment and political stability are essential for attracting international investors. Balanced security and economic policies make Kurdistan a reliable investment destination compared to other parts of Iraq experiencing recurring instability. n nShe also noted that international exhibitions such as the Delphi Forum and the 2025 Erbil International Exhibition attracted over 250 real estate companies from more than 10 countries, a clear sign of rising foreign demand for the Kurdish market. This international engagement reflects investor confidence in the region’s future growth potential and confirms Kurdistan’s growing status as an attractive regional and global investment destination. n nStrategic Location: Heart of the Middle East and an Investment Magnet n nThe Kurdistan Region’s strategic location is one of its most compelling investment advantages, sharing borders with three major countries: Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, and other Iraqi provinces to the south and west. This position is not merely geographic—it serves as a vital gateway to expansive regional markets, enhancing growth and profitability prospects in real estate. n nKawah emphasized that property demand in the region extends beyond local buyers to include a broad segment of expatriates living and working in the area, reflecting diverse needs and the market’s flexibility in meeting residential, commercial, and tourism demands. She added that this location makes Kurdistan a primary investment magnet—not only due to proximity to major markets but also because of its relatively stable environment compared to neighboring areas, a key factor in building international investor confidence. n nConsidering global investment trends in the Middle East, Kurdistan’s location acts as a bridge between regional and international markets, enabling diverse opportunities for urban expansion and sustainable-return real estate projects, positioning the region at the forefront of promising regional property destinations. n nA Development Vision: Investing in Heritage and Future Infrastructure n nInvestor interest extends beyond financial returns to include urban infrastructure development and preservation of local heritage. Kawah said: “We are not just building cities; we are building a legacy and the nation’s future. The private sector plays a leading role, but success requires a shared vision among government, investors, and local communities.” n nShe added that the current phase represents a golden opportunity to enter the Kurdistan real estate market, given lower entry costs compared to neighboring countries and a large consumer base enabling scalable, sustainable project growth. n nGrowing Investment Opportunities n nKawah affirmed that the Kurdish market is rich with investment potential, whether in luxury villas and apartments or commercial and tourism ventures. She explained that real estate investment stimulates economic growth and strengthens national infrastructure. “Opportunities exist, and now is the ideal time to invest, as the market is in an upward growth phase. Every project supports city development and contributes to building a better future,” she said. n nReal Estate Between Stability and Security n nSecurity stability is a central factor in attracting real estate investment to the Kurdistan Region. According to Kawah, the stable security situation is one of the most important elements reinforcing investor confidence—both domestic and foreign—and enabling smooth project execution. n nThis secure environment fosters favorable conditions for broad-based economic growth, directly reflected in the prosperity of the real estate sector and the expansion of residential, commercial, and tourism projects. She noted that investors find in Kurdistan an opportunity to engage in a growing, stable market capable of attracting foreign capital, making the region one of the most promising real estate markets in the Middle East. n nShe stressed that security and stability are not just supportive factors for investment but form the foundation for launching major development initiatives that enhance Kurdistan’s appeal as a leading economic destination and ensure long-term sustainability of real estate growth. n nA Long-Term Strategy for Real Estate Growth n nIt can be said that the real estate sector in the Kurdistan Region represents one of the fundamental pillars of economic growth, offering multiple and encouraging investment opportunities for local and international investors. According to Dania Kawah’s vision, success in this sector goes beyond financial returns to include infrastructure development, heritage preservation, and strengthening the region’s strategic position as a leading investment destination in the region. n nHer statements indicate that real estate investment in Kurdistan is not a temporary venture but a long-term strategy for building a stable economic future, aligned with regional transformations and leveraging global opportunities—making the region a model for attracting investment and achieving sustainable development. n— news from سكاي نيوز عربية
— News Original —
The Real Estate Sector in the Kurdistan Region: An Engine of Economic Growth and Promising Investment Opportunities
The real estate market in Kurdistan benefits from several key factors, including rising demand for housing of various types, the spread of closed residential complexes, the expansion of commercial centers, hotels, and office buildings, in addition to government facilitations such as tax exemptions and flexible licensing that accelerate the implementation of major projects. Moreover, the region’s geographic location and security stability add further attractiveness for investors, especially with the expansion of the middle class and rising demand for urban housing meeting modern standards. n nNumbers and Facts About the Real Estate Sector in Kurdistan n nAccording to official data issued by the Investment Board of the Kurdistan Regional Government: n nMore than 214,000 housing units have been built since 2006. n nThese units include over 105,000 apartments, 92,000 homes, and 17,000 villas. n nErbil Leads Real Estate Activity in the Region n nIn 2024, Erbil alone witnessed the implementation of more than 52,000 new housing units, with 27,000 expected to be completed this year. n nTotal investments in the construction sector in the Kurdistan Region reached about $25 billion since 2013. n nThis real estate boom is boosting demand for local building materials, creating promising investment opportunities for investors in the sector. n nDania Kawah: The Real Estate Sector, a Silent Force Amid Challenges
nIn an exclusive interview conducted by Sky News Arabia’s economics editor, Lebna Bouza, with the Chairwoman of the South Kurdistan Group, Dania Kawah, during the Hi-Techs 2025 exhibition, she emphasized the pivotal role of the private sector in developing real estate, while preserving local heritage and keeping pace with modern developments. n nDania Kawah said: “Kurdistan is currently experiencing continuous growth, which is evident from real projects. The real estate sector is one of the engines of this growth, and despite political, economic, and geopolitical challenges, the sector has been able to sustain continuous growth.” n nShe added that local and international investors are awaiting investment opportunities in Kurdistan, noting that the annual growth rate in the real estate sector in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil over the past five years ranged between 10% and 15%, a rate reflecting the success of government and private policies in developing infrastructure and encouraging investment. n nExceptional Facilitations to Attract Foreign Investors n nDania Kawah confirmed that the region offers tangible incentives for foreign investors, most notably granting five-year residency upon property purchase, representing a strategic step to enhance the flow of foreign capital into the Kurdish market. This initiative comes within the framework of a clear policy to support the real estate sector and stimulate foreign investment, contributing to achieving sustainable economic growth for the region. n nShe clarified that real estate sector growth is closely linked to tourism sector development, pointing out that a secure environment and political stability represent a fundamental element in attracting international investors. Balanced security and economic policies make Kurdistan a reliable investment destination compared to other areas in Iraq experiencing recurring fluctuations. n nShe also pointed out that international exhibitions such as the Delphi Forum and the International Exhibition in Erbil in 2025 witnessed wide participation exceeding 250 real estate companies from more than 10 countries, a clear indicator of increasing foreign demand for the Kurdish market. This international interaction reflects investor confidence in the region’s future growth opportunities and confirms the growing status of Kurdistan as an attractive investment destination regionally and internationally. n nGeographic Location: The Heart of the Middle East and an Investment Attractor n nThe strategic location of the Kurdistan Region represents one of the most prominent factors of its investment attractiveness, as it shares borders with three major countries: Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, and the rest of Iraq’s governorates to the south and west. This location is not just a point on the map, but represents a vital gateway to access wide regional markets, enhancing growth and profitability opportunities in the real estate sector. n nDania Kawah confirmed that demand for real estate in the region exceeds local investors to include a broad segment of foreigners residing and working in the region, reflecting the diversity of needs and the flexibility of the real estate market in meeting housing, trade, and tourism requirements alike. She added that this location makes Kurdistan a major investment attraction, not only due to its proximity to major markets, but also due to the relatively stable environment it provides compared to some neighboring areas, a fundamental factor in enhancing the confidence of international investors. n nConsidering global investment trends in the Middle East, the location of Kurdistan forms a bridge between regional and international markets, enabling diverse opportunities for urban expansion and establishing sustainable-return real estate projects, placing the region at the forefront of promising regional real estate destinations. n nA Development Vision: Investing in Heritage and Future Infrastructure n nInvestor interest has not been limited to financial returns, but has included developing urban infrastructure and preserving local heritage. Dania Kawah said: “We are not only building cities, but we are working on building heritage and the country’s future. The private sector has a leading role, but success requires a shared vision between government, investors, and the local community.” n nShe added that the current phase is considered a golden opportunity to enter the real estate market in Kurdistan, given the lower entry cost compared to neighboring countries and the existence of a large consumer base allowing projects to grow progressively and sustainably. n nGrowing Investment Opportunities n nDania Kawah confirmed that the Kurdish market is rich in investment opportunities, whether in luxury villas and apartments or in commercial and tourism projects. She clarified that real estate investment contributes to stimulating economic growth and strengthening the country’s infrastructure. She said: “Opportunities exist and the current time is the most suitable for investment, as the market is in an upward growth phase, and every project supports city development and contributes to building a better future.” n nThe Real Estate Sector Between Stability and Security n nSecurity stability is a central factor in attracting real estate investments to the Kurdistan Region. According to Dania Kawah, the stable security situation is one of the most important factors enhancing investor confidence, both local and foreign, and allows them to implement their projects easily and smoothly. n nThis secure climate creates a favorable environment for comprehensive economic growth, directly reflected in the prosperity of the real estate sector and the expansion of residential, commercial, and tourism projects. She mentioned that investors find in Kurdistan an opportunity to invest within a growing and stable market capable of attracting foreign capital, making the region one of the most prominent promising real estate markets in the Middle East. n nShe pointed out that security and stability are not just supportive factors for investment, but represent the foundation for launching major development initiatives that enhance Kurdistan’s attractiveness as a leading economic destination, and ensure the long-term sustainability of real estate growth. n nA Long-Term Strategy for Real Estate Growth n nIt can be said that the real estate sector in the Kurdistan Region represents one of the fundamental pillars of economic growth, providing multiple and encouraging investment opportunities for local and international investors. According to Dania Kawah’s vision, success in this sector is not limited to financial returns, but includes developing infrastructure, preserving heritage, and enhancing the region’s strategic position as a leading investment destination in the region. n nHer statements show that real estate investment in Kurdistan is not just a temporary project, but a long-term strategy for building a stable economic future, keeping pace with regional transformations and benefiting from global opportunities, making the region a model to be emulated in attracting investments and achieving sustainable development.