Archive | 2020

Oil Ministry Finalises Export Figures for March

By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Oil has announced final oil exports for March of 105,118,523 barrels, giving an average for the month of 3.390 million barrels per day (bpd), essentially the same as the 3.391 million bpd exported in February. These exports from the oilfields in central and southern Iraq amounted to 101,392,918 barrels, […]

Intelyse arranges COVID-19 Repatriation Flights

By John Lee. Intelyse, a Sicuro Group company, has said it has successfully repatriated over 150 Iraqi citizens to Baghdad in time for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in addition to repatriating more than 80 British and EU citizens from Iraq to UK. The direct flight to Baghdad departed London Stanstead on 23 April […]

US Renews Waiver for Iraq to Import Electricity from Iran

By John Lee. Washington has renewed a waiver for Iraq to continue importing Iranian electricity, a US State Department official said. "The Secretary granted this brief extension of the waiver to allow time for the formation of a credible government," the official said, referring to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and added that the […]

Iran's Non-Oil Exports to Iraq Increase

By John Lee. Iran's non-oil exports to Iraq are reported to have increased by 0.7 percent. For the Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended on March 19), non-oil export to Iraq hit $8.9 billion, according to a deputy with the country's Trade Promotion Organization (TPO). Tehran Times reports that medicines and medical equipment, plastic products, ceramic […]

Baghdad "Halts Payments to KRG"

By John Lee. Baghdad is said to have stopped payments to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Writing for Argus Media, Rowena Edwards says central government will also seek to recover payments made since the start of the year, in the absence of KRG transfers of crude oil, which were part of the as-yet-unsigned 2020 budget. […]

Coronavirus causes Staffing Problems for Lukoil in Iraq

By John Lee. Lukoil is reportedly having difficulties staffing its operations in Iraq due to coronavirus and associated restrictions. Interfax cited chief executive Vagit Alekperov (pictured) was quoted as saying that the company has a problem with replacing shift workers, adding, "We are reaching deals with people to keep them on for shifts that are […]

Why is it So Hard for Iraq to Form a Govt?

By Dr Renad Mansour for the Royal Institute for International Affairs (Chatham House). Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Why is it So Hard for Iraq to Form A Government? Mustafa al-Kadhimi has emerged as the compromise prime minister designate, but his potential […]

IS steps up Attacks during Coronavirus Lockdown

By Adam Lucente for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Islamic State steps up attacks in Iraq during coronavirus lockdown Iraq has been hit by a wave of Islamic State (IS) attacks during the country's coronavirus lockdown. Numerous operations by IS and unknown groups […]

How the US Military should Leave Iraq

By Barbara Slavin, for the Atlantic Council. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. How the US Military should Leave Iraq A withdrawal of most US military forces from Iraq seems likely this year as the Iraqi government seeks to maintain some […]

Siemens and Partners Inaugurate Health Clinic in Baiji

Siemens, Lions and their partners inaugurate the rehabilitated health clinic in Baiji, Iraq Al-Tawheed Center in Salah ad-Din Province was renovated by Iraq's Ministry of Health Siemens donated advanced medical and power equipment to NGO Lions Foundation Germany to support the rehabilitation of the clinic Clinic is open to the public and has the capacity […]