Archive | 2024

BP Books Gain on disposal of Rumaila

By John Lee. Oil giant BP has disclosed that it booked a gain of $361 million in relation to the disposal of the group's interest in Iraq's Rumaila field. Its interest in Rumaila was transferred to Basra Energy Company (BECL) in 2021, which BP describes in its results announcement on Tuesday as "an associate of […]

Iraq urges US to Reconsider Sanctions on Iraqi Banks

By John Lee. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has called on the US Treasury Department to reconsider its recent imposition of sanctions on Iraqi banks. During a phone call from the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Minister Hussein explained that these banks have, "an important and major role in financing ration card expenses and […]

Markets Look Through Escalating Tensions

By Ahmed Tabaqchali, Chief Strategist of AFC Iraq Fund. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Markets Look Through Escalating Tensions The market, as measured by the Rabee Securities U. S. Dollar Equity Index (RSISX USD Index), was up 8.8% for the month. Over […]

Iraq Committed to Building Fleet of Oil Tankers

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul Ghani, has affirmed the Ministry's commitment to building a fleet of oil tankers. His statement came during a meeting with the Chairman of the Norwegian company Batservice Mandal [Båtservice Mandal AS], Bjørn Fjellhaugen, and the accompanying delegation. The Minister praised the role of Batservice, in cooperation […]

Why Iraq's Dinar is Trading Below Official Rate

By Adam Lucente for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Why Iraq's dinar is trading below official dollar rate amid new restrictions A top US official visited Iraqi officials last week to discuss countering illicit finance and strengthening Iraq's […]

8 Iraqi Banks "Banned from Transacting in US Dollars"

By John Lee. Various media sources say that Iraq has banned eight local commercial banks from making transactions in U.S. dollars. This precludes these banks from taking part in the Central Bank's daily dollar auction. The banks are reported to be: Ashur International Bank for Investment; Investment Bank of Iraq; Union Bank of Iraq; Kurdistan […]

GKP announces Management and Board Changes

By John Lee. Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has announced management and board changes as follows: Ian Weatherdon to retire as Chief Financial Officer (CFO); Gabriel Papineau-Legris, currently Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), to replace Weatherdon as CFO; Kimberley Wood, Senior independent Director, resigns from the Board due to other commitments. Full statement from GKP: Management & […]

Iraq's 4th Mobile Phone Service to Start "Soon"

By John Lee. Iraq's Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has reportedly said that Iraq's fourth mobile phone service will start "soon." State-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) quotes the head of the Commission, Ali Al-Moussawi, as saying: "The [license was granted] to Al-Salam Company, affiliated with the Ministry of Communications, and work is ongoing with close […]