Archive | 2021

US contributes $53.3m to UNHCR Ops in Iraq

UNHCR welcomes the generous contribution of USD 53.3 million by the Government of the United States of America (USA) towards UNHCR's protection and assistance programmes to support vulnerable displaced persons (IDPs) and Syrian refugees in Iraq. This contribution brings the total USA contribution to UNHCR Iraq in 2021 to USD 88 million. Thus far, the […]

ECW announces $12.5m Grant for Iraqi Education

By John Lee. Education Cannot Wait (ECW) had announced a new multi-year resilience programme that it says will reach a total of 192,100 forcibly displaced children and youth in Iraq. An initial $12.5 million catalytic seed-funding grant from ECW will be implemented by Save the Children in coordination with the Iraq's Ministries of Education in […]

KRG Approves DNO Purchase of Exxon Stake in Baeshiqa

By John Lee. DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today announced that the Kurdistan Regional Government has approved the Company's acquisition of ExxonMobil's remaining 32 percent interest in the Baeshiqa license, doubling DNO's stake. In parallel, commerciality has been declared on the license with plans submitted for fast-track development including early production from previously […]

Genel Energy Increases Dividend

By John Lee. Genel Energy has increased its interim dividend, announced in its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2021: Bill Higgs, Chief Executive of Genel, said: "Genel continues to deliver on its strategy and demonstrate the merits of its business model. Capital investment made last year, despite the low oil price […]

Iraq Progresses Towards WTO Membership

The Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of Iraq to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ambassador Omar Hilale (Morocco), visited Geneva on 16-18 June. Building on his earlier visits, the purpose of the Chairperson's meetings in Geneva was to identify steps and mobilise support in relaunching Iraq's accession process which had been challenging […]

Special Investigation Courses for Iraqi Police

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq has completed a series of special investigation courses for investigators of the Iraqi police service with support from Germany. Weekly and bi-weekly courses were held for senior police investigation officers on homicide investigations and suspect interviewing. Homicide course attendants received professional insights on how to respond to […]

Iraqi Kurdistan Water Crisis blamed on Climate and Iran

By Saman Dawod for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi Kurdistan water crisis blamed on climate and Iran Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has asked citizens to ration water. Click here to read the full story.

EU Provides Additional $8m for Mine Clearance in Iraq

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq welcomes an additional contribution of EUR 7,000,000 (approximately USD 8,059,000) from the European Union (EU), which will support the Government of Iraq in protecting vulnerable civilians from the threat posed by explosive ordnance left behind by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Implementation […]

Iraq Launches Human Rights National Action Plan

UNAMI welcomes Iraq's adoption of a five-year Human Rights National Action Plan, launched on 26 July, at an event chaired by the Deputy Minister of Justice and organized with the support of the Office of the President and UNAMI's Human Rights Office. The Human Rights National Action Plan, prepared by the Ministry of Justice and […]

Water Governance in Basra

By Michael Mason, for the London School of Economics (LSE) Middle East Centre. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Water Governance in Basra In summer 2018 protests erupted in Basra amidst a water contamination crisis, with over 100,000 admitted to hospital by […]

Startups & Businesses Thrive In Iraq

By Olivia Bridge. Iraq's global perception might not be optimistic, but the country is proving itself as an incubator for startups and small businesses. Why startups and businesses are thriving in Iraq To the uninformed, the idea of Iraq being capable of nurturing online businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs might seem far-fetched. Disinformation and rumours haven't […]