Author Archive | Bob Tollast

Report Buyer Release Health Sector Overview

By Simon Kent. Business intelligence and market survey company Reportbuyer  have released an overview of Iraq's growing healthcare sector, focusing on surgical procedures and related appliances. The report profiles the major industry players involved in Iraq's health sector, noting, "Despite experiencing frequent insurgency attacks and unrest, Iraq is emerging as an economic player and a regional powerhouse. […]

Abadi to Dismiss 123 Senior Officials

By Simon Kent. Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al Abadi (pictured) has announced plans to dismiss 123 senior officials in government ministries, and appoint temporary replacements before deciding on the fate of the roles. The move follows the dismissal of a third of his cabinet, the merging of some ministries and the abolishment of the deputy PM […]

ISIS Attack Army-Tribe Alliance

By Simon Kent. ISIS have launched two suicide attacks in Anbar province, killing 13 Iraqi army soldiers and allied Sunni tribesmen, Fox News reports, citing anonymous Iraqi military sources. The attack was launched on an outpost near Ramadi and appears typical of ISIS' efforts to hinder progress re-taking the city, which has been encircled by Sunni tribal […]

IBBC Announce Iraq Business Clinics

By Simon Kent. The Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) have announced that they will be offering expert advice on Iraq’s marketplace and  how UK businesses can get involved on 21 October 2015 at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Companies are welcome to register for 20 minute appointments by contacting LCCI at [email protected] […]

ISIS Hit 300 Times by British Aircraft

By Simon Kent. The Royal Air Force has launched a total of 300 sorties against the self proclaimed "Islamic State," according to a report on the strikes released by the UK's Ministry of Defence. In military parlance, a "sortie" is a mission where bombs are dropped, as opposed to a mission which may not find […]

MOL Reduces Akri Bijell Investment

By Simon Kent. Aberdeen based oil and gas company MOL Group have reduced their planned investments at Akri Bijell in the Kurdish region of Iraq, Rigzone reports. The new plans will see one well operational at 2200 bpd, while Bijell 4 and Bijell 6 appraisal wells encountered more geological complexity than envisaged. MOL have struggled in the region […]

Turkish Forces Raid Iraqi Kurdistan

By Simon Kent. The New York Times has reported on a Turkish incursion in the mountains of Northern Iraq to destroy Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) positions. The incursion comes in response to a recent IED attack inside Turkey which killed 14 police officers in a mini bus. The raids--20 military strikes according to the report--have […]

Justice Ministry Official Kidnapped in Baghdad

By Simon Kent. Various sources have reported Tuesday that acting deputy justice minister Abdel Karim Faris was kidnapped in northern Baghdad, by "black clad" assailants. One source Iraq Business News spoke with speculated that terrorists had taken advantage of PM Haidar al Abadi's recent decision to cut security staff for politicians, but in the absence of details we […]

Iraqi Kurdistan Pays $75 Million to IOCs

By Simon Kent. The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) has released a statement saying it has put aside $75 million to pay three IOCs, Genel Energy, DNO and Gulf Keystone. The announcement follows payment disruption to the IOCs from the ongoing Baghdad--Erbil revenues and exports dispute. Additionally, the KRG has pledged regular payments, welcome news to the […]

Eleven US Air Strikes Hit ISIS in Iraq

By Robert Tollast. The US Department of Defence has reported 11 air strikes in Iraq, usually indicative of 24-48 hrs of activity. Coalition aircraft normally conduct air strikes along three fronts in Iraq, the Euphrates front, which cuts across western Iraq to Syria and covers the western flank of Baghdad, and includes the ISIS occupied […]

ISIS Chemical Attack Confirmed

By Simon Kent. The German Federal Intelligence Service, or BND (Bundesnachrichtendienst) has confirmed from laboratory tests that ISIS has used chemical weapons against Kurdish forces in Northern Iraq. The German paper Bild reported that the conclusion was made after taking blood samples from injured Kurdish fighters, reporting that the gas used was sulpher mustard, more commonly known […]

Low Oil Price Threat to Iraq's Eurobond Bid

By Simon Kent. A recent report by Standard & Poor gave Iraq a B- foreign currency rating, indicating significant risk for investors, but nonetheless noted that in the short term, the economy would remain stable with 0.3% growth and longer term, up to 5% from rising oil output up to 2018. That is the good news […]