KRG briefs US on Impact of Economic Slowdown

They also discussed the two brigades being trained and equipped by the US, especially as the Peshmerga, Coalition, and Iraqi Security Forces look to liberate Mosul. She commended the Peshmerga for their courage and dedication, and stressed the importance of the American partnership with Kurdistan.

The delegation met with Eric Meyer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East at the US Treasury Department. Among a range of issues discussed was the request for greater technical assistance to help in the management of reform and austerity in the Kurdistan Region.

As the price of oil dips below $30 per barrel, the KRG has struggled to pay salaries of public servants, including frontline Peshmerga troops. Earlier this year, the KRG Council of Ministers announced further austerity measures to be enacted as the KRG seeks to trim the region’s budget even further.

Dr Hussein and Representative Abdul Rahman met with Amos Hochstein, Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy at the US Department of State, to discuss a range of issues including the future of the energy sector in the Middle East.

Separately, Minister Bakir met a group of international humanitarian organizations gathered at InterAction, an umbrella entity for such NGOs. He briefed the group and answered questions, thanking the UN and NGOs for their hard work in addressing the needs of displaced people.