DUHOK GOVERNATE, IRAQ — The prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government officially inaugurated a new flour mill in Domiz, Duhok Governate, Iraq.

The Distar Factory is a partnership between the Kurdistan government and the private sector. Kurdistan is an autonomous entity governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government within Iraq and is bordered by Iran, Turkey and Syria.

The $22 million project has a storage capacity of 52,300 tonnes of wheat and can produce up to 500 tonnes of flour per month.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said the new flour mill will “provide job opportunities for hundreds but also strengthen our agricultural backbone.”

"I urge investors in the Kurdistan Region to explore opportunities in agriculture and industry. This will not only bolster our regional economy but also reduce our reliance on external sources,” he said. "Historically, agriculture and industry have received minimal investment. To drive the economic growth of the Kurdistan Region, we must focus on these sectors.”

The mill will provide farmers with a reliable platform to sell their products and encourages ongoing cultivation and production, Barzani said.