Archive | 2016

Medserv Acquires METS

Malta-based Medserv has announced that it has today completed the acquisition of Middle East Tubular Services (METS), a group of companies based in the UAE, Oman and Iraq. Established in 2006 in Sharjah, UAE, METS has grown rapidly becoming a market leader due to its position as the only one-stop-shop for oil country tubular goods […]

Asiacell selects Ericsson for Transmission Backbone Contract

Ericsson and Asiacell have partnered in a network deal to transform Asiacell's transmission backbone infrastructure in Iraq, reports Telecompaper. This project enables Asiacell to secure the required technology and capacity to cater for the increased demand for data traffic and improve customer experiences in Iraq in the coming five years. Ericsson collaborated with Asiacell in […]

IS Sells Properties Left by Kurds in Mosul

By John Lee. BasNews reports that the Islamic State group (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) is allegedly attempting to put residential buildings taken from civilians in Mosul on sale. A source told the news agency that IS confiscated "more than 126" (sic) houses left by Kurds and Christians in Mosul, and is now selling the houses […]

US Approves $350m Beechcraft Iraq Deal

The US State Department's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Iraq for KA-350 [King Air 350] sustainment, logistics, and spares support. The estimated cost is $350 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on February 23, 2016. […]

Total, Vitol Fined in Iraq Oil-For-Food Case

By John Lee. French oil company Total and Swiss oil-trading company Vitol have been fined for corruption by a French court in relation to Iraq’s oil-for-food program. According to Bloomberg, Total was guilty of corrupting foreign civil servants, and has been fined EUR 750,000, while Vitol has been fined EUR 300,000. Other corruption charges against Total […]

KRG Relaunches Monthly Crude Oil Export Reports

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) today relaunches the monthly crude oil export reports, to include additional information that further increases the transparency of the KRG’s direct oil sales. All future monthly reports will contain this new information. For the first time the monthly reports include the revenues received by the KRG on account and cargoes […]

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Military Strikes Continue Against 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 today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Attack, fighter, and remotely […]

US Asst Secretary of State Visits Iraq

United States Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski visited Iraq, February 21-24, to discuss human rights issues with senior Iraqi government and judicial officials, and religious and civil society leaders. The Assistant Secretary’s delegation, which included Knox Thames, Special Advisor for Religious Minorities, was joined by United States Ambassador […]

Currency Auction Results, 25th Feb

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has reported that 29 banks and 20 remittance companies took part in its currency auction on Thursday. A total of $107,780,000 sold at a price of 1182 Iraqi Dinars (IQD) per dollar. (Source: Central Bank of Iraq)

Iraq Oil Sector Needs $300bn Investment

By John Lee. Iraqi Oil Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi [Adil Abd Al-Mahdi] has said that Iraq’s oil and gas industry will need an investment of $300 billion over the next 15 years. He made the statement during a visit to Japan, at which he also discussed the long relationship between the two countries in the energy […]