Archive | 2025

Idle Well Restarted at Ahdab using Horizontal Drilling

By John Lee. Midland Oil Company (MdOC) has successfully restarted a previously idle vertical oil well in the Ahdab field, using horizontal drilling technology. The operation was carried out in cooperation with Chinese partner Al-Waha Company. Al Waha describes itself as follows: "Al-Waha (Al-Waha petroleum company), a holding joint-ventured enterprise jointly capitalized by CNPC (China […]

Iraq Stock Market Report

Advertising Feature Rabee Securities Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) market report (trading week ending: 10th April 2025. Please click here to view a table of listed companies and their associated ticker codes. RSISX Index Change       RSISX Index Closings Change (w/w) (%) Change (YTD) (%) RSISX IQD Index 2,268.7 0.6% 0.9% RSISX USD Index […]

US calls for Release of Australian Businessman Jailed in Iraq

By John Lee. The United States has said it supports the release of an Australian businessman who has been in prison in Iraq for more than four years. In a statement on X, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs said: "We stand with our Australian partners in calling for the release of Robert […]

Iraq signs MoUs for 27GW Electricity Projects with US Firms

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani oversaw the signing of three significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday, two in the electricity sector and one to enhance commercial cooperation with the United States. The first MoU, signed with GE Vernova, outlines a strategic cooperation framework to develop combined-cycle gas power plants in Iraq, […]

Turkiye Wealth Fund, Iraq Development Fund sign MoU

By John Lee. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Turkiye Wealth Fund and the Iraq Development Fund, marking what TWI describes as a significant step toward deepening economic cooperation between the two countries at the sovereign wealth fund level. The agreement aims to foster innovation-driven investments across priority sectors including energy, […]

Iraq Adjusts Import Policies for Agricultural Produce

By John Lee. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein chaired the eleventh meeting of the Ministerial Council for Economy on 27 April 2025. The session was attended by senior officials including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, the Ministers of Finance, Agriculture, and Labour and Social Affairs, as well as […]

Iraq Approves Contract Adjustment for Kirkuk Refinery

By John Lee. Iraq's Council of Ministers has approved converting the contract model for the Kirkuk Refinery's Hydrogenation and Gasoline Improvement Unit (12,000 barrels per day) from a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) to a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. The processing fee for the project has been set at $23 per barrel. (Source: PMO)

Sharp Rise in Executions in Iraq

By John Lee. According to Amnesty International, Iraq witnessed a significant increase in executions in 2024, with at least 63 known executions, up from 16 in 2023 -- the highest number recorded since 2019. All executions involved individuals convicted of terrorism-related offences, amid ongoing concerns about violations of fair trial rights and reports of torture […]

Despite Tariffs, US brings largest Trade Delegation to Iraq

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani received a delegation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, including American investors and corporate executives, accompanied by the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Iraq. The meeting focused on strengthening economic ties and promoting Iraq as an attractive destination for foreign investment. The Prime Minister outlined steps […]

Iraq Sets Date for Parliamentary Elections

By John Lee. Based on a letter from the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), and following its technical and legal assessment, the Council of Ministers has voted to hold Iraq's parliamentary elections on 11th November 2025. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani emphasised the government's commitment to supporting the electoral process by ensuring all necessary preparations […]