Business Registration System: Kurdistan Regional Government’s Business Registration Portal

The Kurdistan Regional Government announced the Business Registration System (BRS) as part of its goal to become a prominent GovTech powerhouse by 2025.

The primary objective of the BRS is to streamline the registration process for all types of business entities, significantly reducing the time and cost burden on entrepreneurs and businesses. This system allows applicants to register their business entities quickly and securely through an online portal (business.digital.gov.krd). Upon registration, each entity receives a Unique Entity Number (UEN), which simplifies future interactions with various government services such as social security, tax, and customs. 

The UEN serves as the primary identifier for businesses across these services and more.

The main functionalities of the system encompass trade name registration for companies and professions, as well as the registration of local companies and branches of foreign companies. The BRS significantly enhances convenience by enabling citizens to initiate applications and track their progress online, thereby reducing the need for multiple visits to government offices. Now, applicants only need to visit a government office once to make payments and submit supporting documents. Also, it is planned for the next phase of the system to introduce online payments and digital signatures, eliminating the necessity for physical visits altogether.

How does the new BRS system compare to the previous procedure?

Previous Procedure:

1. Business owners had to make multiple visits to different offices and departments for registration completion.

2. The process of checking trade name availability was lengthy due to inconsistencies and the lack of a centralized system.

3. Company registration lacked clarity in identifying business activities, particularly in technology sectors, and did not align with international standards.

4. Clear guidelines and instructions were lacking in the registration process.

5. Trade name registration and company registration required separate applications.

6. Expensive fees were imposed for company and trade name registration.

7. Company registration under the previous process took over a month to complete.

8. The previous process was difficult to comprehend for applicants, and the procedure lacked transparency.

The New BRS:

1. The cost of company registration is reduced by 80%.

2. Business registration, including trade names, is completed within 24 working hours.

3. Applicants can register their companies online from any location, at any time, using the BRS portal. A single visit to the Directorate of Company Registration is required for receiving registration documents and paying fees.

4. Trade name availability can be easily checked through a simple search on the BRS online portal.

5. Businesses can claim exclusive ownership of their trade names, preventing registration by other businesses in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) with the same name.

6. The new company registration process incorporates an extensive list of business activities based on the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC). Applicants can select their desired activity from the comprehensive ISIC list available on the portal.

7. The BRS portal provides guidelines and all the necessary information for a smooth registration process.

8. Applicants can register both their trade name and company through a single application.

9. The new system allows applicants to track the progress of their application through their online account.

10. Registering a company on the new system generates a UEN for each entity, facilitating the use of other government digital services such as social security, tax, and customs.