World Bank Financing Proposed for Baghdad Water and Sewage
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Planning has held talks with the World Bank on a financing proposal for water and sewage projects in Baghdad. The meeting, chaired by Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Dr. Maher Hammad Johan and attended by the Technical Undersecretary of the Secretariat of Baghdad, discussed financing options, implementation mechanisms, and timelines […]
Successful $500m Bond Placement by Pearl Petroleum
From Dana Gas: Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum announce successful US$500 million bond placement by Pearl Petroleum Dana Gas PJSC and Crescent Petroleum, joint operators of the Pearl Petroleum Consortium [has] announced the successful placement of a US$500 million senior secured bond by Pearl Petroleum Company Limited, at a fixed coupon of 10.375% per annum, […]
Trial Production Begins at Amara Gas Separation Station
By John Lee. Trial production has begun at the Amara Gas Separation Station, operated by Maysan [Missan] Oil Company (MOC), at an initial rate of 3,000 barrels per day (bpd). Hussein Kazem La'ibi, Director General of Maysan Oil Company, said the station is operating under a phased plan to increase output progressively, with a target […]
STEM Skills Programme for Children in Iraqi Kurdistan
By John Lee. Registration is open for the Armath Engineering Makerspace Programme in the Raparin region of Iraqi Kurdistan, targeting children aged 10 to 15. The programme covers robotics, engineering, programming, and technology through hands-on activities, with training sessions held twice weekly to fit around school timetables. Students will learn: Robotics & Programming Build and […]
Drilling Begins at Well RT-80 in Artawi Field
By John Lee. The Iraqi Drilling Company (IDC) has begun drilling operations at well RT-80 in the Artawi oil field in Basra province, on behalf of TotalEnergies. According to Iraq's Ministry of Oil, the work forms part of IDC's ongoing drilling programme across the country's oil fields. IDC Director General Mohammed Hantoush confirmed the operation, […]
Chevron and Iraq Near Deal on West Qurna 2 Contract
By John Lee. Agreements have been reached on a contract for the West Qurna 2 oil field, with a signing expected before the end of 2026. Discussions are also continuing on a development contract for the Nasiriyah oil field and four exploration blocks. According to the Ministry of Oil, Minister Basim Muhammad Khudhair al-Abadi met […]
Trade and Investment Forum Strengthens Iraq-EU Business Partnerships
By John Lee. More than 400 companies, including around 50 from the European Union, have gathered in Baghdad for the two-day Iraq National Trade and Investment Forum (INTF) 2026. The event, held on 28-29 October at the Babylon Rotana Hotel, attracted more than 750 registrations from businesses, government institutions, chambers of commerce, financial institutions and […]
NIC Meets Ecolog Int'l to Explore Investment Opportunities
By John Lee. The National Investment Commission (NIC) has held a preliminary meeting with a delegation from Ecolog International, which it says is a "German company headquartered in the Netherlands", to discuss potential investment cooperation in Iraq. According to the NIC, the meeting was chaired by commission head Adel Dakhil Muhammad al-Yasiri, with the director-general […]
Private Sector "at the Heart" of Iraq's Economic Transformation
By John Lee. Iraq's future economy should be measured not by oil production volumes but by added value, job creation, and regional and global integration, according to a senior adviser to the Prime Minister. Yousif Al Dunainawi, Chairman of the Advisory Commission of the Prime Minister, made the remarks at the International Institute for Strategic […]
Iraq-Italy Business Council Meeting Focuses on Investment
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Trade has held discussions with the Iraq-Italy Business Council (IIBC) on expanding investment opportunities and economic partnerships. The meeting, held at the council's headquarters, was attended by the council's chairman and board members alongside a group of businesspeople. According to the Ministry of Trade, the talks covered investment opportunities […]
Iraq Simplifies Entry Visas for Syrian Merchants
By John Lee. Iraq has agreed to facilitate the issuance of entry visas for Syrian merchants classified as Excellent, First, and Second Class. According to the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce, the move follows the organisation's efforts to remove obstacles facing Syrian traders seeking access to foreign markets. Federation President Alaa Omar Al-Ali informed […]
Iraq Trade Forum Closes with $17.5m in Potential Deals
By John Lee. The Iraqi National Trade and Investment Forum 2026 (INTF 2026) has closed in Baghdad with potential deals totalling $17.48 million reported from bilateral business meetings. The event was held under the theme "Iraqi-European Partnership in Trade and Investment to Support Economic Transformation in Iraq", in cooperation with the European Union (EU) and […]