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Iraq, KRG Agree New Oil Export Mechanism

By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Natural Resources and the Iraqi Ministry of Oil have agreed on a new mechanism for oil exports from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The deal, finalised after joint meetings beginning on 17 July 2025 and site visits to all regional oil fields, was signed on […]

Iraq to Export Oil through Syria?

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Oil Hayan Abdul Ghani has held talks in Baghdad with Syrian Minister of Energy Mohammad Bashir, focusing on cooperation in oil, gas, and energy. Discussions covered Iraq's plans to diversify crude oil export routes amid rising production, including rehabilitating or replacing the Iraq-Syria export pipeline, which was active in […]

Iraqi PM announces $57m to finance Youth Projects

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has chaired the periodic meeting of the Supreme Council of Youth, coinciding with World Youth Day and the second anniversary of the Council's establishment. The meeting was attended by several ministers and senior advisers. The Council approved reallocating IQD 75 billion [$57 million] recovered from Agricultural Initiative […]

CBI Discusses Banking Reform Plan with Oliver Wyman

By John Lee. Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq and the CBI's specialist team have met with consultancy firm Oliver Wyman to review the Iraqi Private Banks League's comments on the national banking reform plan. The Governor confirmed that the CBI had completed an in-depth discussion, during which participants showed understanding of […]

Oil Production Resumes at Shaikan Field

By John Lee. Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has said that production operations have recently restarted at the Shaikan Field in Iraqi Kurdistan, following a security assessment and consultation with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). It said a further update on production and sales will be provided as part of the 2025 Half Year Results, which […]

Jameel Motors Appointed Distributor for OMODA & JAECOO in Iraq

By John Lee. Jameel Motors has signed an agreement with China's Chery Group to distribute the OMODA & JAECOO vehicle brand in Iraq, marking a first market entry for both companies. According to a press release, the distribution rights were secured through a competitive process involving local and international firms. It adds that Iraq's automotive […]

WFP Iraq Country Brief, July 2025

In Numbers 9,447 people assisted USD 276,384 cash-based transfers made USD 11.7 million six months (August 2025 - January 2026) net funding requirements Operational Updates General Food Assistance WFP provided e-vouchers to over 6,000 resident beneficiaries (1,644 households) in the Al-Amal Rehabilitation Centre (formerly Jed'ah 1 Centre) in Ninewa Governorate. Moreover, WFP provided cash assistance […]

Hyundai Wins Contract for Iraqi Sea Water Treatment Plant

By John Lee. As part of its measures to address water scarcity, the Iraqi government has approved the award of the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP-ITT-05) tender for the Artawi [Ratawi] oil field to Hyundai Engineering & Construction of South Korea. The contract covers engineering, procurement, supply, construction, commissioning, and operation (EPSCC) of the seawater […]

Iraqi PM Inaugurates New Gas Turbine at Bismayah

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has inaugurated gas turbine unit No. 13 at the Bismayah Gas Power Plant, adding 300 MW to the facility's output. He also opened refurbished units that restored around 210 MW, bringing the plant's total generation capacity to 5,000 MW. Al-Sudani praised the efforts of the private sector, […]

Karmal partners with ZagTrader for Electronic Trading in Iraq

By John Lee. Karmal Brokerage has secured approval from the Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) to launch a comprehensive digital transformation project in preparation for operations on the "Tabadul" electronic trading platform. According to a press release, the initiative, the first of its kind in Iraq's financial market, supports the government's vision to enhance transparency and […]

Iraq's Central Bank to Streamline Cash Withdrawal and Deposit

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has launched the second edition of its Security Permits Platform, aimed at enhancing the management and organisation of security clearances for authorised bank personnel and their vehicles during cash withdrawal and deposit operations. The CBI's Security Permits Office held an interactive workshop outlining the platform's features, account […]