Archive | 2017

No Winners In Iraq’s New ‘War On Corruption’

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Every day new anti-corruption cases are announced in Iraq's new "war on corruption". Yet they achieve virtually nothing. This may well be a war that nobody in Iraq can win. […]

Baghdad denies Russian Claims regarding KRG Oil Deals

By John Lee. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has denied reports that Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak discussed Russian oil companies' operations in Iraqi Kurdistan with the Iraqi prime minister or oil minister during his trip to Iraq. Novak had been quoted as saying that Baghdad had no problems with Russian companies doing business with the […]

Saudi, Iraq sign 18 Major Energy Deals

By John Lee. Saudi Arabian companies have signed 18 agreements with the Iraqi government to jointly develop several key projects in the energy sector. The statement from the Iraqi Oil Ministry gave little detail, but quotes the Saudi Minister of Energy Khalid Al-Falih as saying that Saudi companies are keen to develop relations with Iraq, […]

How Likely is a New Government really in Iraqi Kurdistan?

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Since the ill-fated Kurdish independence referendum, critics have been calling for the current government of the region to be replaced. But, as some critics say, nobody is serious about this […]

What next for PMU in Anbar Province?

By Shelly Kittleson for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.  Flags of Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq (League of the Righteous) — with their distinctive arm thrusting a gun upward over a green Iraq against a white background, a strip of red and a Quran […]

Alstom to Develop Rail Projects in Baghdad, Basra

French company Alstom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iraqi government for the development of urban transport in Baghdad and Basra. The MoU was signed during the Franco-Iraqi government authorities meeting, in the presence of Dr.Sami Al Araji, Head of National Investment Commission (NIC) of Iraq and Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, French Secretary of State. […]

US, Iraq discuss Coalition Support for Iraqi Forces

The High Level Committee of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve has met in Baghdad to discuss the way forward for the coalition’s continued support of the Iraqi security forces. The committee’s chairman, Staff Lt. Gen. Waad Zainl Saleh, senior secretary to the Iraqi chief of defense, and […]

Iran to Boost Gas Exports to Iraq

A top Iranian energy official unveiled plans for a rise in natural gas exports to neighboring Iraq next year. In an interview with Tasnim on Saturday, Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Hamid Reza Araqi said the country’s exports of natural gas to Iraq will increase during the spring and summer of […]

Gazprom Neft commissions New Gas Plant at Badra

Russia's Gazprom Neft has launched the commercial operation of a 1.6 billion cubic metres capacity gas processing plant at its Badra field, Iraq. Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, was present at the opening ceremony for the new facility, together with the Minister of Oil of the Republic of Iraq, Jabbar al-Luaibi, and Gazprom Neft CEO Alexander Dyukov. Dry feed gas, […]

Genel Energy attempts to Refinance Bonds

Genel Energy has announced that it has instructed the trustee for the GENEL01 bonds (ISIN: NO 001 0710 882) ('GENEL01' or 'the Bonds') to summons a bondholders' meeting to resolve a refinancing of the existing Bonds. The Company proposes to refinance GENEL01 through a partial early redemption and debt reduction by replacing the existing Bond Agreement […]

In Anbar, Liquor Shops are an Unlikely New Sign of Hope

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Even before the extremists were in control in Anbar, selling alcohol was banned. During extremist control, selling liquor was punishable by death. But now liquor stores have become a sign […]

US Sanctions on PMUs puts Iraq in Tough Spot

By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.  The conflict between the United States and Iran has taken a new turn toward escalation against the Iranian-backed armed Shiite factions in Iraq. But this step might harm Washington’s […]