Archive | 2015

Basra Crude Exports to Rise in January

By John Lee. Iraq plans to export about 3.4 million bpd of crude oil from its southern oil terminals in January, according to a report from Reuters. This represents an increase of 17.2 percent on December's estimate, and is driven by the Basra Light grade, which is planned to increase 23 percent to 2.61 million […]

Basra to get $5/barrel in 2016 Budget

By John Lee. Basra is to receive an allocation of five dollars per barrel of oil exported from the province in the 2016 budget. Local MP Hassan al-Khalati said that this will be a significant benefit to the people of Basra. (Source: Shafaaq)

Iraq to Receive $1.2bn World Bank Loan

A US$1.2 billion loan will support Iraq in strengthening fiscal stabilization and improving efficiency in the energy sector to help counter the effects of the drop in oil prices and rising security costs. The World Bank Group’s Board of Directors acknowledged the Government of Iraq’s engagement in a rigorous reform program and approved the Emergency […]

Bombardier Welcomes Arab Wings and Iraq Gate

Bombardier Welcomes Arab Wings and Iraq Gate to the Family of CRJ Series Aircraft Customers and Operators Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has welcomed Jordan-based Arab Wings, and its joint venture partner Iraq Gate, to the family of CRJ Series aircraft owners and operators. Iraq Gate commenced service in March 2015 with its first CRJ200 aircraft, adding […]

Saudi Re-Opens Iraq Embassy after 25 Years

By John Lee. Saudi Arabia has re-opened its embassy in Baghdad, 25 years after relations were broken over Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. The embassy will have an initial staff of 35 people, and a consulate is expected to open later in Erbil. Diplomatic relations were restored in 2004 after the toppling of the Saddam Hussein […]

KRG, US Business Delegation Discuss Opportunities

Minister Falah Mustafa today received representatives of over 25 U.S companies, led by the U.S-Kurdistan Business Council (USKBC), to discuss areas of potential investment for U.S companies in the Kurdistan Region. In a meeting attended by Bayan Rahman, KRG Representative to the U.S, Minister Mustafa thanked the USKBC for bringing such a high level business […]

Carter, Iraqi Leaders Discuss Ways to Increase Pressure on ISIL

Defense Secretary Ash Carter yesterday discussed with Iraqi leaders ways to increase pressure on the Islamic State of Iraq and thhttps://www.iraq-businessnews.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=106388&action=edite Levant and to accelerate coalition progress against the terror group. In Baghdad, Carter met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, as well as U.S. and coalition leaders during the visit. The secretary received a […]

Basra Heavy Crude has 'Limited Appeal' for US Buyers

By John Lee. Reuters reports that sellers of a new 'Basra Heavy' crude oil grade are competing fiercely to win market share on the U.S. Gulf Coast, as the high sulfur content has limited appeal for refiners. The State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) began selling the new grade -- which has an API gravity of […]

Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Thursday. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Attack, bomber and […]

Kurdistan's Great Recession

By Mark DeWeaver. In October I had the good fortune to spend some time in Sulimaniyah, at the American University of Iraq’s Institute for International and Regional Studies, where I worked on a research project with a group of student assistants. Our objective was to document the effects of the KRG budget crisis on the […]

Video: Turkish Troops Withdrawn

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Some Turkish troops stationed near the Iraqi city of Mosul have been withdrawn, officials say, after their deployment caused a diplomatic spat between Baghdad and Ankara. Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid reports from […]

IMF "to Agree Iraq Monitoring Program"

By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to finalize an agreement with Iraq in the coming days for a program to monitor its economy. The fund's Middle East director, Masood Ahmed, told Reuters the program would establish a track record of effective performance from the Iraqi authorities which could lead to a […]