Archive | 2014

Currency Auction Results, 15th Oct

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has reported that 14 banks took part in its currency auction on Wednesday. A total of $203,311,000 was sold  at a price of 1166 Iraqi Dinars (IQD) per dollar. (Source: Central Bank of Iraq)

Afren Dismisses CEO, COO and Assoc Dirs

By John Lee. Afren announced today that Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP (WFG) has completed its independent review into the receipt of unauthorised payments by members of management and senior employees. In connection with the conclusion of this review, the company has decided to terminate the employment and directorships of Osman Shahenshah and Shahid […]

Ericsson Still Bullish on Iraq

By John Lee. Tarek Saadi, President of Ericsson's North Middle East Region, has said his company remains bullish on Iraq despite the threat of terrorism. Speaking on the sidelines of a trade event, he said: “Iraq is one of the more important markets for Ericsson in the Middle East ... We still believe in the […]

"Soaring" Public Spending hits War Financing

By John Lee. The Financial Times reports that a looming fiscal crisis is threatening to limit Iraq’s ability to finance its war against the Islamic State insurgents. This is despite the country having large oil revenues, billions of dollars in reserves and surplus funds left from unexecuted projects. In recent years, expenditures have "skyrocketed", with […]

Iraqi Dinar to Devalue?

By John Lee. One possible consequence of the budgetary crisis facing Iraq is a fall in the value of the Iraqi dinar. As a result of the massive burden of public sector wages and salaries, in addition to subsidies for food and energy, the country faces major expenses in looking after its nearly 2 million […]

Demining Continues at Block 9

By John Lee. In its Interim Management Statement on Tuesday, Dragon Oil gave the following update on its Iraqi operations: "On 10 September 2014, the consortium comprised of Kuwait Energy (70% and operator) and Dragon Oil (30%) reported its first oil discovery at Block 9, Iraq. "The successful discovery was at the consortium's first target, […]

UK Foreign Secretary Visits Iraq

By John Lee. Iraq's Foreign Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Al Jaafari, received his British counterpart, Philip Hammond, on Monday. During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the Iraqi political and security developments and the importance of supporting Iraq in eliminating the terrorist Islamic State (IS). Minister Jaafari and Minister Hammond held a joint press conference on […]

Electricity Minister Meets with US Ambassador

By John Lee. Iraq's Electricity Minister, Qassim Fahdawi [Qassim al-Fahdawi], has met the American ambassador Stuart E Jones to discuss the participation of American companies in developing the country's electricity infrastructure. In addition to possible new sources of gas for electricity generation, the Minister also pointed out the opportunities available in renewable energy, including solar […]

Weekly Security Update, 07 - 13 October 2014

By Anne-Laure Barbosa at Constellis Consulting Elevated levels of violence continued to be reflected in a high number of casualties, with at least 408 recorded deaths over the reporting period. While reporting remains interrupted in large swathes of the North, evidence of war crimes committed by Shia fighters against Sunni populations was described in a briefing […]

$Billions Reconstruction Money Stolen

By John Lee. Stuart Bowen, the former Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR), has  claimed that between $1.2 billion [1.4 trillion Iraqi dinars] and $1.6 billion [IQD 1.9 trillion] allocated for the reconstruction of Iraq was stolen and hidden in a bunker in Lebanon, as the American and Iraqi governments ignored appeals to recover […]

Transworld Group, NAWAH Partner on Ports

Dubai-headquartered companies Transworld Group and NAWAH [North America Western Asia Holdings] have announced that the two firms have entered into a formal agreement to service Iraq’s growing demand for imports, linking their considerable shipping, logistics, marine services and port capabilities. As part of their agreement, Transworld Group and NAWAH Port Management, NAWAH’s port operations business […]