By Bilal Wahab and Michael Rubin, for The National Interest. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Can New Tech Save Iraq's Old Economy? As the United States recalibrates its relationship with Iraq, the advent of Iraq's cyber economy also provides an opportunity […]
By Noam Raydan, for Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq-Lebanon fuel oil talks remain shrouded in mystery Despite Lebanon's deepening financial crisis, its politicians remain committed to the same stop-gap measures that have crippled the country's dilapidated electricity sector. […]
By Tamer Badawi, for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's Resurgent Paramilitaries Paramilitary surrogates are popping up in Iraq with strong links to existing militant networks. The application Telegram has been crucial in fostering […]
By Shelly Kittleson, for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Kataib Hezbollah controls access points to key Iraqi border city Iran-linked armed groups have over the past year tightened and consolidated their grip on a key border area between […]
A court in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq sentenced three journalists and two activists to six years in prison on February 16, 2021, in deeply flawed proceedings, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday. The authorities continue to hold two other people despite a court ruling that there was insufficient evidence to try them. Human Rights […]
COVID-19 Dealt Heavy Blows to Iraqi Labour Market, Enterprises in 2020: IOM, FAO, ITC Study In early April, Iraq surpassed 900,000 COVID-19 cases. Necessary efforts to contain the spread of the virus throughout 2020 led to a reduction in economic activity; compounded by pre-existing economic challenges, drops in oil prices and the public health COVID-19 […]
By Jared Szuba for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. No plans for full US withdrawal from Iraq, top general says The United States may be leaving Afghanistan but troops will remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future, the CENTCOM commander […]
By John Lee. The Chairwoman of the National Investment Commission (NIC), Suha Dawood Najar (pictured), has launched the NIC's new online portal for receiving investment applications. The new service went live on the NIC's website -- www.investpromo.gov.iq -- on Wednesday. It will allow investors to create their own accounts, make applications and submit all required […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi visited the head office of the National Investment Commission (NIC) on Wednesday and was briefed on the progress and obstacles facing investment in Iraq. According to a statement following the visit, the PM directed the cancellation of all licenses for investment projects whose completion rate is between 0 […]
By John Lee. During his visit to Amedi, US Consul General Rob Waller announced that the U.S. Department of State has awarded a $500,000 grant to preserve and protect Badinan Gate. A statement from the US Embassy said the US government is determined to help the IKR preserve and restore its remarkable cultural heritage, and […]
By John Lee. Iraq has fallen in the World Press Freedom Index for 2021, ranking 163rd out of 180 countries, down one place on last year. The result puts Iraq behind countries such as Turkey and Sudan, but ahead of Iran and Syria. First place went to Norway, with Eritrea coming last. Reporters Without Borders […]
By John Lee. The Chinese company Sinopec (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation) has won a contract to develop the Mansuriyah gas field in Diyala. The field, near the Iranian border, is expected to produce 300 million standard cubic feet (Mmscf) per day of gas, which will be used for electricity generation. In 2010, an agreement […]
