Archive | 2024

Iraq Moves Toward Self-Sufficiency in Fuel Production

By John Lee. Iraq's Deputy Minister of Oil for Refining, Hamid Younis (pictured), has announced the ministry's commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in all types of petroleum products to support the national economy. The country has already stopped importing gas oil (kerosene) and white oil, and has significantly reduced gasoline imports. Younis highlighted ongoing projects aimed […]

New Direct Flights between Baghdad and Sharjah

By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Transport has announced new direct flights between Baghdad and Sharjah, starting on October 17, with four weekly flights. The initiative is part of the ministry's plan, overseen by Minister Razzaq Mohibis Al-Saadawi, to expand Iraq's international flight network and enhance civil aviation. The new route aims to strengthen commercial […]

$8m Contract for Tactical Training in Iraq

By John Lee. IDS International LLC, based in Arlington, Virginia, has awarded an $8,575,534 hybrid (cost-no-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract to support tactical training in Iraq. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Camp Taji, Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 28, 2025. Fiscal 2024 Foreign Military […]

6 Percent Growth in Iraq's Non-Oil Economy

By John Lee. US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Wally Adeyemo, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa' al Sudani met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss Iraqi banking sector reform, financial relations with the United States, and combatting illicit finance. Deputy Secretary Adeyemo congratulated Prime Minister Sudani on Iraq's significant progress […]

New Initiative to Improve Sustainable Financing in Iraq

By John Lee. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), has signed an agreement to develop environmental and social risk management guidelines for the banking sector, and launched a seven-year Sustainable Finance Roadmap and an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Code […]

UNDP Empowers 4,000 Farmers in Diyala

By John Lee. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Japan, has rehabilitated a nursery in Baqubah, Diyala, enhancing both agricultural output and economic growth in the governorate: Impact: Over 4,000 farmers in Diyala will benefit. The nursery will produce more than 25,000 seedlings annually. Support includes modern irrigation techniques […]

Iraq to join Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)

By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani has held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Ms. Deemah AlYahya, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Founded in 2020, the DCO, "is dedicated to achieving social prosperity and the […]

APIKUR calls for Meetings to Restore Oil Exports

By John Lee. An industry group representing international oil companies (IOCs) in Iraqi Kurdistan has called for formal tripartite meetings with the Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials to immediately restore exports through the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline. A statement from the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) said: As world leaders […]

GKP Appoints New Non-Executive Directors

By John Lee. Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has announced the appointment of two new independent non-executive directors: Catherine Krajicek, who has previously held senior positions at ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil and Cairn Energy; and, Marianne Daryabegui, formerly at Total, BNP Paribas and Natixis, amongst others. Full statement from GKP: Gulf Keystone, a leading independent operator and […]

Nokia partners with Zain Iraq to Boost Network Capacity

By John Lee. Nokia today announced a strategic partnership with Zain Iraq to upgrade the telecom operator's network in the south of Iraq. The three-year deal marks Nokia's first entry into the microwave (MW) business with Zain Iraq, enhancing network capacity and modernizing the infrastructure to support future growth and increased traffic demand. The deployment […]

Iraq Oil Fiscal Terms "Sub-Optimal"

By John Lee. Irish-based Petrel Resources last week issued an unaudited interim statement for the six months ended 30 June 2024. The company, which last year submitted an updated development proposal for the Merjan oil field to Itaq's Ministry of Oil, with a view to finalising a licence agreement, said: "... the fiscal terms available […]

Iraq Signs $2.8bn Air Defense Contract

By John Lee. The Iraqi Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with a South Korean company to supply advanced medium-range air defense batteries. It said the new defense system will bolster Iraq's military capabilities, ensuring better protection of its airspace and contributing to regional stability. While the lengthy statement from the Ministry gave no […]