Iraq-Lebanon Trade and Investment Talks
By John Lee. Iraq has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding economic cooperation with Lebanon and reducing barriers to bilateral trade. Iraq's Minister of Finance, Faleh Sari, met on Sunday with Lebanese Trade Minister Amer al-Bsat and his accompanying delegation to discuss ways to strengthen trade and accelerate financial and customs procedures related to the movement […]
Fitch Affirms Iraq at 'B-'; Outlook Stable
By John Lee. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Iraq's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'B-' with a Stable Outlook. The rating is unchanged from this time last year. More details here. (Source: Fitch Ratings)
New Transit Deals to Route East-West Telecoms Cable through Iraq
By John Lee. Iraq has signed two transit cable agreements with UAE telecoms group Etisalat and Bahrain's Alliance Networks, aimed at linking East and West through Iraqi infrastructure. The signing was overseen by Minister of Communications Mustafa Jabbar Sanad and took place in Qatar. (Source: Ministry of Communications)
World Bank Loan Discussions Focus on Water and Sewerage Projects
By John Lee. A World Bank delegation has met with officials from the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Municipalities to discuss a loan covering integrated services and water infrastructure projects. The meeting, held on Thursday, included specialists in water and infrastructure from the World Bank, alongside Hussein Kazem, Director General of the ministry's General Directorate […]
Iraq Forms Joint Cmte to Investigate Khor Mor Attack
From Rudaw. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq Forms Joint Committee to Investigate Khor Mor Gas Field Attack Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali al-Zaidi has ordered the formation of a joint committee with authorities in the […]
MORC Named Iraq's Digital Champion of the Year
By John Lee. MORC has been named Iraq's Digital Champion of the Year at the Iraq National Trade Forum (INTF) in Baghdad. Founder and Managing Director Gillian Harshami [Gilyan Ahmed] received the award from Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), at the forum, which was organised by the Ministry of Trade and […]
Baghdad Digital Data Centre Opens
By John Lee. A new data center has opened in Baghdad, aimed at localising data storage within Iraq and providing digital infrastructure for government institutions. Minister of Communications Mustafa Jabbar Sanad opened the Baghdad Digital Hub (BDH), a digital infrastructure and data center project developed by local company Ankido, on Thursday. (Source: Ministry of Communications)
Contract Signed for Rataj Baghdad Health and Education Project
By John Lee. An investment contract has been signed for the Rataj Baghdad health and education project, to be developed in the Ghazaliya district of Baghdad on a 70,000-square-metre site. The signing took place at the National Investment Commission (NIC), with NIC chairman Adel Dakhil Muhammad al-Yasiri and representatives of the investing company in attendance. […]
No Intermediaries in Defence Procurement, PM Orders
By John Lee. Iraq's Military Industries Commission (MIC) has been directed to deal exclusively with original manufacturers when procuring weapons and equipment, cutting out intermediary companies entirely. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi issued the directive during a visit to the Commission on Thursday, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. Al-Zaidi met with the […]
Madrid Forum Spotlights Iraq Investment Opportunities
By John Lee. A Spanish-Iraqi business forum has taken place in Madrid, bringing together companies from both countries to explore investment and cooperation opportunities in Iraq. The event was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Spain and organised in coordination with the Spanish Embassy in Baghdad and the Iraqi Embassy in Madrid. Sectors highlighted […]
PUK withdraws from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)
By John Lee. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has withdrawn from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) with immediate effect. In a statement on Thursday, PUK President Bafel Talabani said that the PUK will not recognise any government or officials resulting from the process. Full text of President Bafel Jalal Talabani's statement: In the name […]
'Watan' Residential Initiative Nears Launch in Diwaniyah
By John Lee. A ground-breaking ceremony is expected shortly for the "Watan" residential initiative in Diwaniyah province. According to the National Investment Commission (NIC), its chairman, Adel Dakhil Muhammad al-Yasiri, met with Diwaniyah's First Deputy Governor, Imad Issa al-Shablawi, and the head of the provincial investment authority, Dr Razzaq Shabbar, to finalise preparations for launching […]