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PM Al-Abadi Receives Presidents of Big Russian Companies

By John Lee. During his visit to Moscow, Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi received the presidents of three major Russian oil and gas companies: Soyuzneftegaz group, Lukoil, and Gazprom. At the start of talks with Abadi in the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is expanding cooperation with Iraq in the area of military technology, […]

Shiite Militias must be Invited to Fight in Ramadi

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Tough Choices: Everyone Agrees, Shiite Militias Must Be Invited to Fight in Ramadi, Iraq Early in the morning on May 15, the extremist group known as the Islamic State launched […]

Video: ISIL's Tactics in Iraq

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Recent territorial gains by ISIL are making many players very nervous:

EU Support for KRG

KRG President Masoud Barzani welcomed Ms. Jana Hybaskova, the ambassador of the European Union in Iraq, this week. During the meeting President Barzani and Ambassador Hybaskova discussed the latest issues facing Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with emphasis on the latest terrorist development in Ramadi. Ambassador Hybaskova also took the opportunity to reiterate the support […]

Chinese Firm wins $526m Drilling Deal

By John Lee. Iraq has approved a $526.6-million (614 billion Iraqi dinar) drilling deal with China's Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group (ZPEC) for the West Qurna II oilfield, according to Reuters. Under the 28-month contract, ZPEC will drill 66 production oil wells at the Lukoil-operated field. Current production capacity at West Qurna II is […]

Increased Basra Heavy Oil Volumes

By John Lee. A report from Argus claims that Iraq has scheduled greater-than-expected initial volumes of its new Basra Heavy crude oil grade. The State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) plans to load more than 1.2 million bpd of Basra Heavy in June, boosting total Iraqi sales from its southern export terminals to a record high […]

Iraq’s Missing Money

By Walid Khoudouri for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq is passing through a dangerous phase. There is a lot of waste and corruption and little transparency in state institutions. The security situation is deteriorating. And lately, there has been negative information about […]

Video: Humanitarian Crisis, Thousands Flee Ramadi

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The humanitarian crisis in Iraq is worsening, as people try to flee the city of Ramadi - which is now controlled by the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL). Many civilians have spent days […]

Iran Sets Up Trade Centre in Erbil

By John Lee. The head of the Trade Promotion Organisation of Iran, Valiollah Afkhami Rad (pictured), has signed a contract to set up a trade centre in Erbil. He said that a better understanding of the market in Erbil and throughout Iraq will result from the improved economic ties, and recommended that Iranian companies research […]

Gazprom Increases Investment in Kurdistan

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has received a delegation from the Russian Federation that included President Vladimir Putin’s Envoy to the Middle East and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, Chairman of Gazprom Neft, Alexander Dyukov, and Deputy Energy Minister, Yuri Sentyurin. The delegation highlighted historic relations between Kurdistan and Russia, and their intention to […]

CBI Lends $5.1bn to Iraqi Banks

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has allocated $5.1 billion (6 trillion Iraqi dinars) in loans to banks in a bid to keep a handle on inflation. Ali Allaq, Central Bank general manager, told the Al-Hayat newspaper on Monday that the CBI is responsible for the stability of the market, adding that […]