Archive | 2013

WHO Attaining Universal Coverage

The World Health Organization (WHO) completed the first step of assessing alternate means of health financing in Iraq based on social health protection. Health financing is a key area identified for modernization of the health sector in Iraq. The Government has expressed a willingness to engage in a dialogue with the aim of making the […]

"Rocky Road Ahead" for Asiacell IPO

By John Lee. Doubts have been expressed regarding Asiacell's ability to raise the record $1.27 billion planned in its forthcoming IPO (initial public offering). According to a report from International Financing Review, observers are said there is a strong possibility the deal may not go through. "The thing about these three Iraqi mobile companies is […]

WesternZagros Awards Contract for 2 High-Spec Rigs

By John Lee. WesternZagros Resources has awarded a contract for two 2,000 horse-power drilling rigs with a leading North American drilling contractor. The two rigs have been contracted to drill the Hasira-1 well, the Baram-1 well and subsequent wells on the Company's Garmian Block in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The drilling services contract was […]

Iraq Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with S. Korea

By John Lee. The Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC), Dr. Sami al-Araji, has signed a strategic memorandum of cooperation with the chairman of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), O Young Hu [Young Ho Oh], to increase investment and trade between the countries. During his speech, Dr al-Araji reviewed the investment opportunities available […]

Foreign Minister Meets Chinese Ambassador

By John Lee. Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has met with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Ni Jian. The two sides discussed the developing relations between the countries and ways of enhancing them . The Minister conveyed a letter from the Iraqi government to the Chinese Ambassador about the ongoing deliberations at the […]

A Barrel Full of Silver Balls, and the Elections

When Iraqis arrive to vote in Governorate Council Elections on 20 April, they will receive ballot papers that list coalitions and political entities by name, by symbol, and by number. In this way, voters will have three different options to identify their choice of candidate. This 3-way identification system is a common practice in many […]

Iraq Stock Market Report

Advertising Feature Rabee Securities Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) market report (week ending: 10th January 2013). Please click here to download a table of listed companies and their associated ticker codes. ID1,623 / $1,755  (+0.5%) (weekly change). The number of week traded shares was 19.0bn and the weekly trading volume was ID33.7bn ($28.1mn).   ISX Company […]

Iraq Reserves Right to Sue over Oil Exports

Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) has issued a statement suggesting it will take legal action against companies exporting crude oil without dealing with the central government, including the confiscation of cargoes and the filing of lawsuits against sellers, buyers and transporters. The statement reads as follows: "In accordance with the provisions of Laws No. […]

Oil Exports from Basra Resume After Bad Weather

By John Lee. Oil exports from Iraq's southern Basra terminals were restored to 2.35 million barrels on Saturday bad weather on Friday, according to a report from The National. Output was said to have fallen to just 1.32 million barrels on Friday. Exports from Basra's offshore terminals, Iraq's main oil hub, tend to fluctuate because […]

Confusion Over Design Contract for Iraqi Parliament

By John Lee. Peter Besley, director at London-based architecture practice Assemblage, has told Architects' Journal that despite winning the competition to design the £620-million Iraqi Parliament complex, there was still confusion as to who would actually be awarded the contract. The company feared losing the project to the firm run by Baghdad-born Zaha Hadid; a […]

Video: Anti-Government Protests Persist

Iraq has seen three weeks of mass protests against the government of Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki. The Shia dominated government is accused of using anti-terrorism laws to target the country's Sunni minority. Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest in numerous cities, including ramadi, Samara and Mosul. Omar Al Saleh […]

New Ambassador from Bosnia and Herzegovina

By John Lee. Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has received a copy of the credentials of the newly appointed Non-Resident Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Darko Zelenka. During the ceremonies, Minister Zebari welcomed the Ambassador and stressed the Iraqi government's keenness on developing and relations and the Foreign Ministry's readiness to provide the needed support for […]