Archive | 2023

Governor of Diwaniyah dismissed for Corruption

By John Lee. Prime Minister Muhammad Shia'a Al-Sudani has dismissed the Governor of Diwaniyah, Mr. Zuhair Ali Al-Shaalan, as he is under investigation on suspicions of corruption, which are being considered by the relevant courts. He also dismissed Iyad Mahmoud Hadi Al-Jubouri from the duties as head of the National Retirement Authority, based on the […]

Online Business Portal Delivers Results in Iraq

From the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): The number of people registering businesses in Iraq through t­­he country's online portal has steadily grown over the past year. In November 2022, over 275 companies were registered through business.mot.gov.iq - more than five times the number recorded during the first month after going live […]

US adds Iraqi Entities to Sanctions List

By John Lee. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated critical nodes of a key financial facilitation network of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which included four individuals and two entities in Türkiye, who have enabled the terrorist group's recruitment and financial transfers to and from […]

KRG preparing to Export Apples, Strawberries, Honey

The Kurdistan Region is moving from the import stage to the export stage, and diplomatic relations will be used for this purpose. Currently, pomegranate exports to the Gulf countries continue and the opening of export routes of Kurdistan products to foreign markets is an important step in supporting domestic production. Jalil Salihi, the supervisor of […]

Karbala Oil Refinery to Begin Production in mid-March

By John Lee. The Iraqi Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul-Ghani, has announced that the Karbala Oil Refinery will begin commercial production in mid-March 2023. The refinery's products, including gasoline and kerosene, will meet the highest European standards and specifications (Euro 5). Production capacity will gradually increase, reaching 140,000 barrels per day by the end of […]

Baghdad's Green Zone Opens to Public

By John Lee. Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani has ordered that the Baghdad Green Zone be opened to the public to ease traffic in the city. The heavily fortified area houses embassies and Iraqi government buildings. Security forces have removed major checkpoints leading to the zone to allow citizens to enter. The zone will be […]

Iraq signs MoU with American Concrete Institute

By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Construction has announced that its Building Research Department signed a memorandum of understanding with the American Concrete Institute (ACI). The MoU aims to, "increase cooperation and coordination in the field of improving concrete facilities, through the preparation of research and publications, holding meetings and conferences, membership of committees, activities […]