Archive | 2010

An Apocalypse with a Silver Lining

By Mark DeWeaver Iraq faces a big downside risk from the European sovereign debt crisis—perhaps an even bigger risk than that of renewed sectarian violence. While Iraq’s limited financial links to the outside world make it immune to contagion through the banking sector, sustained debt deflation in Europe would result in a big drop in […]

Read our new Expert blogger on economics and finance starting this week

The sovereign debt crisis in Europe could be bad news for the Iraqi economy if it leads to a sustained bear market in oil.  But a more likely outcome is that the crisis will cause central banks to continue their ultra-loose monetary policy, thereby benefiting Iraq by keeping oil prices high. Our new expert Blogger, […]

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Developing Abu Floss Port Reaches Final Stage

The project of rehabilitating Abu Floss Port in Basra province has reached its final stage, a media source from the Iraqi Ports Company said on Tuesday. “About 90 percent of the project has been finalized,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. He noted that work has been executed by a local firm since the […]

International Fair in Basra

An international fair for food and agricultural products opened on Monday at Basra’s International Airport. “The fair will last for four days,” a local source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. He noted that 150 local and foreign firms are participating in the fair. ( Aswat Al Iraq )

Lebanese, Turkish Discuss Housing in Basra

A group of eight Lebanese and Turkish firms on Monday discussed with Basra’s governor new housing compounds in the province. “We discussed housing projects in the province,” the Basra governor Shaltagh al-Mayiah told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. He noted that the Basra Local Authority encourages Arab and foreign companies to invest in the province. ( […]

Gas-fired Power Plant in Hilla

Electricity Minister Karim Wahied on Monday laid the cornerstone of a gas-fired power plant in Hilla at a cost of $84 million. “The plant will work with a total capacity of 250 MW and the project was referred to a Canadian company, which signed the contract a few days ago,” Wahied said at a press […]

Power Station Rehabilitated in Basra

Work has been completed to reinstate a power station in Basra province. “The project was finalized in two months,” a local media source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. He noted that the project’s cost totaledID913 million. ( Aswat Al Iraq )

Australian mission finds emerging Kurdistan

The Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) recently (12-17 April) led a select group of Australian companies to the Kurdish region of Iraq in pursuit of business opportunities. They found an economy, now emerging after decades of isolation and neglect, buoyed by growing foreign investment, supported by oil and gas revenues, and underpinned […]