The International Development Bank opens its doors for the localization of salaries for Kurdistan Region employees

The International Development Bank continues to lead in supporting sustainable development by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Arab Tourism Organization (ATO). The memorandum was signed by Dr. Ziad Khalaf Abed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Development Bank, and H.E. Dr. Bandar bin Fahd Al Fahid, President of the Arab Tourism Organization, in the presence of the Iraqi Minister of Culture and Tourism and several officials, under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shi’a Al-Sudani.

The cooperation includes supporting tourism investments in Iraq through an insurance policy, upgrading tourism facilities to achieve the highest quality standards, and launching the “Arab Tourist Card” project in partnership with Visa International.

The Arab Tourist Card will offer competitive benefits to Arab tourists, such as health insurance, while also providing access to the advantages offered by Visa International for this type of card, including special discounts at hotels, restaurants, and other tourism establishments, along with many additional competitive benefits.

This initiative marks a new step toward enhancing joint Arab collaboration, supporting intra-Arab tourism, and attracting investments to bolster the promising tourism sector. It seeks to integrate the efforts of the Iraqi private sector with the government’s plans to develop the tourism industry, positioning Iraq—with its abundant tourism, religious, archaeological, and natural attractions—as a destination for travelers from around the globe.