$250m Kempinski Hotel Complex Proposed for Iraq
By John Lee. A proposal to develop a $250 million hotel complex managed by the Kempinski hotel chain has been discussed with the National Investment Commission (NIC). The meeting was held between NIC Chairman Adel Dakhil Muhammad al-Yasiri and an investment delegation led by businessman Jawad al-Qassab. The preliminary plan envisages allocating 20 to 30 […]
Iraq-China Investment and Trade Talks
By John Lee. A delegation of Chinese companies specialising in investment, banking, and trade has met with Iraq's Minister of Trade to discuss potential partnerships and economic cooperation. The delegation presented a range of proposals and projects relating to investment, business development, and partnership frameworks. The meeting emphasised the importance of engaging with international investment […]
IBBC Appoints Two New Advisory Council Members
From the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC). Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. IBBC Appoints Two New Advisory Council Members IBBC values the experience and wisdom of advisory council members in guiding our insights and understanding of Iraq and contextualising international affairs. […]
JICA in Talks with Iraq on Solar Projects
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Electricity has held talks with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on plans to implement solar energy projects and expand clean energy use among households. According to the Ministry of Electricity, the meeting was chaired by Hussein Mohammed Badr, Director General of the Planning and Studies Department, and attended […]
Customs Duty Waiver on Food and Drug Imports
By John Lee. Imported food and medicine are to be exempt from customs duties in Iraq, with effect from 7 October 2026. The measure was approved at the 23rd regular session of the Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the exemption was introduced to […]
NEOM-CEVA MoU Targets Europe-Iraq Corridor
By John Lee. Saudi Arabia's Port of NEOM and CEVA Almajdouie Logistics have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore integrated logistics solutions across the Europe-Egypt-Saudi Arabia-GCC-Iraq multimodal corridor. The agreement aims to help customers move cargo more efficiently between international shipping routes and inland markets. According to Port of NEOM, the collaboration will combine the […]
Najaf Solar Plant Capacity Could Double
By John Lee. Plans for a solar power station in Najaf province are under review, with discussions under way on potentially doubling the project's capacity from 1,000MW to 2,000MW. The proposed expansion also includes a battery energy storage system (BESS) component of 30%. According to Iraq's Ministry of Electricity, Minister Ali Saad Wahib met with […]
IMF Forecasts Bigger Contraction for Iraqi Economy
By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its forecasts, considering the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to its latest World Economic Outlook: "Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar - commodity producers most affected by disruptions to energy output and transport - are projected to experience double-digit contractions of their economies in […]
Land Distribution Scheme Launched in Nineveh
By John Lee. Iraq has launched the executive phase of its "Watan Initiative" (Homeland Initiative) residential land programme in Nineveh province, allocating 110,000 residential plots as part of a broader national target of one million plots. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced the launch on Monday, stating that the government's aim is to ensure that no […]
Investment Call for Mosul Airport Management
By John Lee. International airport management and operations companies have been invited to invest in and develop Mosul International Airport. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the call during a visit to Mosul on Monday, describing the airport as an important gateway for Nineveh province and for Iraq more broadly. Al-Zaidi said the government is seeking […]
Iraq Customs Revenue up 32% Year-on-Year
By John Lee. Iraq's General Customs Authority recorded customs revenues of IQD 442.3 billion (USD 293 million) in September 2026, up from IQD 334.2 billion (USD 221 million) in the same month of 2025, an increase of IQD 108.1 billion (USD 72 million), or approximately 32%. The authority attributed the rise to improvements in customs […]
Iraqi Doctor Creates AI Healthcare Platform
By Padraig O'Hannelly. A Canadian-based Iraqi doctor has launched an agentic learning management system for healthcare education. Dr Fady Hannah-Shmouni (MD, FRCPC), an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia, founded Perceptors AI together with Dr Omar Saleem and the GCLS AI Lab at the Geneva College of Longevity Science. He told Iraq Business […]