Archive | 2025

Iraq Imposes Additional Tariffs on Imported Beverage Cans

By John Lee. As part of efforts to protect domestic industry, the Iraqi Cabinet has approved the imposition of an additional 20% customs duty on imported aluminium cans used for carbonated beverages, juices, and energy drinks. This brings the total tariff to 50% per unit of measurement, applicable to imports from all countries and origins. […]

Iraq sets New Guidelines for Awarding Investment Licences

By John Lee. Ahead of the upcoming Iraq Investment Forum scheduled for Saturday, the Iraqi Cabinet has approved a set of legal and procedural mechanisms governing the presentation and awarding of investment opportunities. The Council of Ministers issued the following decisions: Adoption of competitive evaluation criteria in cases where multiple companies apply for the same […]

Iraq Condemns Israeli Military Action Against Iran

By John Lee. The Government of Iraq has issued a strong condemnation of what it described as military aggression by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling the act a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. A statement from Government Spokesman Basim Alawadi urged the international community to go beyond […]

Iraq's Quiet Return to Global Energy Relevance

By Nicholas Oakes, for the International Policy Digest. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. From Pipeline to Policy: Iraq's Quiet Return to Global Energy Relevance Recent deals with China, India, and France point to a strategic effort to diversify trade partnerships, hedging […]

Iraq Stock Market Report

Advertising Feature Rabee Securities Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) market report (trading week ending: 12th June 2025. Please click here to view a table of listed companies and their associated ticker codes. Note: ISX will be closed on June 15, 2025 (Sunday) due to the national holiday (Eid al-Ghadir). The next trading session will be held […]

Iraq Advances Legal Framework for Development Road Project

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review the legal framework governing the Development Road Project and its associated initiatives. The Prime Minister received a detailed briefing from the project team on legal and technical requirements, including construction standards and operational procedures. He emphasised the need to urgently […]

US orders Non-Essential Staff to Leave Embassy in Baghdad

By John Lee. The U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from its embassy in Baghdad. A statement from the Embassy said the move was "due to heightened regional tensions." Analysts say this relates to an increased likelihood that negotiations with Iran regarding nuclear enrichment will break down. Iran's Defence […]

Iraqi Private Sector Faces Four Key Challenges, Says Professor

By John Lee. The Iraqi private sector confronts significant obstacles that must be addressed to unlock the country's economic potential, according to Professor Frank Gunter of Lehigh University, speaking at the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Spring Conference in London recently. Professor Gunter identified four critical challenges hampering private enterprise development in Iraq: Finance: Iraqi […]

Iran Proposes Joint AI Centre with Iraq on Gulf Island

By John Lee. Hussein Afshin, Assistant to the Iranian President for Scientific and Technical Affairs and the Knowledge Economy, has reportedly proposed establishing a joint Iran-Iraq artificial intelligence (AI) centre on one of Iran's islands. Speaking during a meeting in Tehran with Ali Razzouqi, Deputy Head of the Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Afshin […]