Archive | 2025

Iraq, Bulgaria sign MoU to Boost Agricultural Cooperation

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Abbas Jabr Al-Maliki, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with his Bulgarian counterpart, Dr. Georgi Tahov, to strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector. The official meeting, held in Sofia and attended by Iraq's Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Lina Omar, focused on deepening collaboration in livestock development, […]

Oil Exploration Company Completes 2D Survey in Nineveh

By John Lee. Iraq's Oil Exploration Company (IEC) has successfully completed the two-dimensional "Hadhab" seismic survey in Nineveh province. The project, carried out by the Eighth Seismic Team of the Field Operations Directorate, covered 1,691.9 km and included 33,876 energy points. According to a statement from the Ministry of Oil, this was accomplished despite challenging […]

Iraq Stock Market Report

Advertising Feature Rabee Securities Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) market report (trading week ending: 3rd July 2025. Please click here to view a table of listed companies and their associated ticker codes. Note: ISX will be closed on July 6, 2025 (Sunday) due to a religious holiday (10th Day of Muharram "Ashura"). The next trading session […]

Counterfeit Iraqi Dinars: Central Bank Hosts Workshop

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has held a three-day training workshop in Erbil on the "Core Standards for Detecting Counterfeit Currency," in collaboration with its branch office in the Kurdistan Region. Organised by the CBI's Banking Studies Center, the workshop runs from 1st to 3rd July 2025 and includes participation from […]

Iraqi Oil Minister Meets Russian Energy Delegation

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul Ghani, held talks in Baghdad on Wednesday with Russian Ambassador Elbrus Kutrashev and a delegation from Russian energy giant Lukoil. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Iraq and Russia in the oil, gas, and energy sectors. Also in attendance were Bassem Mohammed Khudair, Undersecretary for […]

EQIQ Invests in Iraqi-US Banker's Digital Banking Venture

By John Lee. UAE-based venture capital fund EQIQ has announced a $3-million anchor investment in a new digital banking startup led by Iraqi-American finance veteran Hussain Qaragholi (pictured). The total $15-million funding round will support the launch and early growth of the next-generation, AI-driven platform. The new venture aims to transform Iraq's underdeveloped banking sector […]

Iraqi Bank Lending Increased in Q1 2025

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has announced that bank lending to the private sector grew by 1.1% in Q1 2025, reaching IQD 44.1 trillion [$24.5 billion]. This was up from IQD 43.6 trillion in Q4 2024, and reflects a gradual expansion in credit access for individuals and private projects. (Source: CBI)

Iraq to Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships in Pharmaceutical Industry

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has directed the advancement of public-private partnerships in Iraq's pharmaceutical sector, with a particular focus on expanding local production of cancer treatments. At a high-level meeting on Sunday with the Minister of Health, advisors, private-sector pharmaceutical producers, and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, the Prime Minister reviewed progress […]

Iraqi Speaker meets Turkish FM; Confirms Water Deal

By John Lee. The Iraqi Speaker of Parliament Dr Mahmoud al-Mashhadani met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara on Wednesday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and joint initiatives. Dr al-Mashhadani called for deeper cooperation between the two nations, proposing the activation of parliamentary friendship committees and requesting Turkey to ease residency procedures for […]

Iraq Cabinet to consider National Poverty Reduction Strategy (2025-2029)

By John Lee. The Permanent Technical Committee for Poverty Reduction Policies, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning Dr Mohammed Ali Tamim, has approved Iraq's third national poverty reduction strategy, covering the years 2025 to 2029. Dr Tamim described progress made during the previous phase as positive, with poverty rates falling from 30% […]