Archive | 2020

Govt calls on Civil Society to fight COVID-19

By Lujain Elbaldawi for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi government calls on civil society to fight COVID-19 Despite the Iraqi government's intensive efforts to fight the novel coronavirus, it seems unable to accommodate the difficult circumstances due to its limited […]

COVID-19 in Iraq: The Virus of Social Inequality

By Maurizio Coppola for openDemocracy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. While the Iraqi government imposes a curfew and some cities close schools, universities and malls to limit the spread of the coronavirus, living conditions are getting more and more precarious due […]

Gazprom "Not Reducing Investment" in Iraqi Kurdistan

By John Lee. Russia's Gazprom Neft has reportedly said it will not reduce investment in its projects in Iraqi Kurdistan, despite a request from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to do so. Reuters reports that following a slump in oil prices, oil producers have been asked to reduce their investments, which governments often have to […]

KRI Truckers find Employment during COVID-19 Crisis

By John Lee. The coronavirus pandemic has reportedly led to thousands of new jobs to truck drivers in the Kurdistan Region. According to a report from Rudaw, while the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan has been closed to tourists and truckers alike, freight is being transferred to local truck drivers to […]

PM-Designate faces Challenges in gaining Support

By Adnan Abu Zeed and Dana Taib Menmy for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi prime minister-designate faces challenges in gaining political support As Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi struggles to secure adequate parliamentary votes for his candidacy, Iraqi political parties are […]

Japan Supporting Women and Girls in Iraq

The Government of Japan has contributed US$ 1.3 million towards UNFPA interventions for integrated lifesaving reproductive health and gender-based violence services to vulnerable women and girls in five governorates across Iraq. UNFPA has been adopting an integrated approach to enable women and girls to receive a comprehensive package of services, continuum of care, as well […]

Dana Gas to Spin Off Iraq Assets?

By John Lee. UAE-based Dana Gas is reported to be considering spinning off its upstream business, which would include its 35-percent stake in Pearl Petroleum, which owns the righs to the Khor Mor (pictured) and Chemchemal fields in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). TradeArabia quotes Hamid Jafar, Chairman of Dana Gas, as saying: "We […]

UK Ambassador addresses IBBC Members via Videoconference

Ambassador Stephen Hickey addresses IBBC members via videoconference Over 50 Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) members yesterday participated in a video conference call with Ambassador Stephen Hickey, from his office in the UK Baghdad Embassy. The Ambassador updated members on the current situation in Iraq, covering four key areas of interest: COVID 19 response and […]

Iraqis Prepare for Another War. This Time it's Covid-19

By Dr Khalil Abdul Kareem, Manager, AMAR ICF Clinic, Khanke Camp, Iraq. Iraqis Prepare for Another War. This Time it's Covid-19 Life is so unfair. Just when you think a displaced person's world can't get any worse here in northern Iraq, along comes a virus that threatens to be the biggest disaster of all. For […]

Iraq: COVID-19 Situation Report, 1 April 2020

KEY MESSAGES 695 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iraq as of 1 April 2020 50 fatalities confirmed due to COVID-19 as of 1 April 2020 170 patients who have recovered from the virus Curfews/airport closures extended WHO expects spike in recorded cases due to increased testing New ministerial high committee formed SITUATION OVERVIEW As of […]