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IMF Upgrades Iraq Forecasts

By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its forecast for GDP growth in Iraq upwards, and its forecast for inflation downwards. According to its latest World Economic Outlook, real GDP is expected to grow by 0.5 percent this year (up from a fall of 0.2 percent estimated in April), and 3.6 percent […]

Iraq and European Investment Bank discuss Economic Cooperation

By John Lee. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein met on Monday, 20 October 2025, with Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), at the Bank's headquarters in Luxembourg. The discussions focused on strengthening economic cooperation between Iraq and the EIB and expanding partnership in the fields of development […]

Ministry of Planning Discusses Iraq's Economic Plan with KBR

By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Planning held an expanded meeting on last week with experts and consultants from KBR to discuss the implementation of the second phase of Iraq's Comprehensive Economic Plan [Vision 2050], a national vision extending to 2050 aimed at establishing a diversified and sustainable economy to drive the country's development. The […]

Trump Appoints Special Envoy to Iraq

By John Lee. US resident Donald Trump has announced that Mark Savaya will serve as Special Envoy to the Republic of Iraq. Trump said that Savaya's deep understanding of the Iraq-U.S. relationship, and his connections in the region, will help advance the interests of the American people. Savaya was a key player in Trump's campaign […]

Iraq Designates 4th March as National Entrepreneurship Day

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has announced that 4th March will officially be recognised as National Entrepreneurship Day in Iraq. The declaration was made during the opening of the second "Riyada" (Entrepreneurship) Conference and Exhibition in Baghdad on Saturday. Al-Sudani praised the "Riyada" initiative as a key element of his government's economic […]

Iraq Participates in Annual IMF / World Bank Meetings in DC

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Finance, Taif Sami Mohammed, along with the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) and their accompanying delegation, participated in the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), held in Washington from 13th to 18th October 2025. The meetings focused on […]

PM launches Baghdad Int'l Hospital Project with Qatari Investment

By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has laid the foundation stone for the Baghdad International Hospital, to be developed by Apex Health, a subsidiary of Qatar's Estithmar Holding [Qatari Investment Holding Company]. Al-Sudani welcomed the Qatari delegation and praised the project as a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, recalling the visit of […]

GE to Build Iraq's Largest Gas-Fired Power Plant in Basra

By John Lee. The Ministry of Electricity has announced the signing of a contract for the implementation of the Al-Faw Gas Power Plant project in Basra - the largest investment-based gas-fired station in southern Iraq. The 3,000-megawatt combined-cycle plant will be built by GE and will include four gas turbines and two steam units. It […]

Iraq Bans Roblox

By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Communications has announced a nationwide ban on the online game Roblox following a ruling by the Federal Supreme Court (FSC). The Ministry said the decision was based on extensive monitoring and analysis that identified several security, social, and behavioural risks associated with the game. These include exposure of children […]

Transport Ministry Expands Maritime Investment Opportunities

By John Lee. The Ministry of Transport has announced the launch of major initiatives to expand investment and development opportunities in Iraq's maritime transport sector. The plan aims to enhance marine services and strengthen cooperation with leading international companies specialising in joint operations, shipbuilding, and the establishment of new shipping routes. According to the ministry's […]

IVECO and MTT Deliver Firefighting Vehicles to Iraq

By John Lee. IVECO and Machine Technology Trading Co. (MTT), through EuroMT Srl bodybuilder, have begun delivering 20 Eurocargo ML180E28 4x2 firefighting trucks to Iraq's Directorate of Civil Defense - the first of their kind to enter the country. Each vehicle is equipped with a EuroMT Srl 10,000-litre water tank and a flexible firefighting pump […]

The Importance of ExxonMobil's Return to Iraq

By John Lee. If anyone doubts the importance of last week's agreement for US oil major ExxonMobil to return to Iraq, may we suggest reading the following article from Simon Watkins in OilPrice: What ExxonMobil's Comeback in Iraq Really Means. The author describes it as "perhaps the most significant of the recent deals between firms […]