By Ali Mamouri for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Many people are surprised to hear that there is a black minority of African descent in Iraq, particularly in Basra, and they are even more surprised to hear that this minority is […]
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Tags: Black Iraqis, racism
Iraq's International Standing to get Boost
The United Nations Security Council is due to meet today to discuss the removal of Iraq, partially or fully, from Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The sanction, which threatens with "action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security", was imposed on Iraq following […]
KRG Approves GKP's Shaikan Development Plan
Gulf Keystone Petroleum has announced that the Field Development Plan for the Shaikan field, a "world class commercial discovery", is now approved. Todd F. Kozel (pictured), Chairman and CEO of Gulf Keystone, commented: "This is an historic moment in the evolution of the Company. Gulf Keystone is now fully permitted to commence production from the […]
Iraq to Cut Basra Crude Exports
By John Lee. Iraq will ship 43 cargoes of Basra Light crude in July, one less than in June, according to a loading program obtained by Bloomberg. An estimated 67.6 million barrels of the blend will be exported from the Basra Oil Terminal (ABOT), or 2.18 million barrels a day. That compares with 2.39 million […]
Tags: Iraq Oil Exports News
Iraq to Receive Russian Military Helicopters
By Ali Abel Sadah for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. On June 18, an Iraqi military source confirmed that the air force command will receive “Alligator” combat helicopters from Russia in the coming period. In a statement to Al-Monitor, the source, […]
Tags: Helicopters, Russia
UNESCO Runs Education Reform Workshop
In the framework of the Iraqi Public Sector Modernization programme, UNESCO office in Iraq organized a workshop from 23 to 25 June 2013 in the Royal Tulip Hotel in Baghdad under the title "Best Practices in Education Reform". During this three-day workshop international UNESCO experts introduced Iraqi officials to best regional and international practices in […]
Tags: UNESCO
Citi Opens New Office in Baghdad
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad hosted a reception to celebrate the opening of Citi’s representative office in Baghdad. Citi [Citigroup] is the biggest financial services corporation in the United States. U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Beecroft stated during the ceremony: “U.S. companies, such as Citi, are demonstrating tremendous commitment to Iraq. Our companies bring capital […]
Tags: Citigroup
New US Visa Office for Erbil
The U.S. Consulate General Erbil has announced the provision of additional consular services beginning June 25, 2013. Iraqi residents can now apply for a range of nonimmigrant visas for travel to the United States, including tourist visas, business visitor visas, student visas, exchange student, and temporary worker visas at the Consulate General. Diplomatic, official, and […]
UN to Decide on Ending Chapter VII Sanctions
By Mushreq Abbas for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. After more than 23 years under the scope of UN Chapter VII following its invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Iraq finds itself closer than ever to getting out from under that […]
Gazprom Considers More Work in Iraq
By John Lee. Gazprom has said that it is interested in working further in the oil and gas sector in Iraqi Kurdistan. Following a meeting in St. Petersburg between the Russian company's Chairman, Alexei Miller [Alexey Miller] (pictured), and KRG President Massoud Barzani, Gazprom issued a statement saying, "in particular, the parties discussed the progress […]
Italian NGO Promotes National Park Initiative
Minister Falah Mustafa received a delegation from Ev-K2-CNR, an Italian non-government organisation promoting studies in high-altitude disciplines, including environmental sciences, earth sciences and technological research, who were accompanied by the Head of Italian Consular Office in Erbil, Dr Simone De Santi. The team has visited the Kurdistan Region five times aimed at the creation of […]
HSBC Considers Quitting Iraq
By John Lee. HSBC said today [Tuesday] that it is considering selling its 70.1 percent stake in Dar Es Salaam Investment Bank (BDSI), which has made it the main international lender in Iraq. In April, Simon Cooper (pictured), HSBC's chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa, told reporters that its presence in Iraq […]
Tags: Dar Es Salaam Bank, HSBC