Kurdistan’s gold industry is rapidly gaining recognition, with local factories producing jewelry that rivals the quality of global competitors from Dubai, Turkey, and beyond.
According to the Kurdistan Jewelers Syndicate, there are now ten large gold factories in Erbil alone, in addition to several more in Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk. Together, they have created a strong market presence that is reshaping consumer preferences.
“Factories in Kurdistan produce gold alongside those in Turkey and the UAE, and they compete strongly with both,” said Dana Warti, spokesperson for the Jewelers Syndicate. “Our products are beautiful, impressive, and of high quality. Many people now prefer Kurdistan gold because imports carry high customs duties, taxes, and transfer fees.”
The Kurdistan Region currently hosts around 2,000 gold showrooms and dozens of import and export trading companies. Many showrooms buy old or broken gold, melt it down, and resell it as ingots to Turkey and the UAE, from where crafted gold is imported back into the region. At the same time, Erbil’s factories have developed designs and craftsmanship that are increasingly in demand.
While 21-carat gold remains the most popular for weddings and jewelry, large-scale traders prefer to buy gold in ingots by the kilo. Jewelers in Erbil say that several local factories now produce gold of superior quality compared to many other countries, boosting Kurdistan’s reputation in the global market.
The industry, however, is not insulated from global pressures. Sanctions imposed by the United States on several countries, ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and rising geopolitical tensions have all driven up gold prices. Demand from major international banks and state buyers has further fueled the surge.
Gold officials in the Kurdistan Region report that prices have risen by nearly 90 percent, significantly affecting trade. Increasingly, large-scale commercial traders are turning to gold as a stable investment, while mid-level market activity has slowed.
Despite these challenges, the Kurdistan gold sector continues to expand. With growing production capacity and international recognition, it is positioning itself as a serious competitor in the global jewelry market.
