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KRG Minister Receives New Polish Consul to Erbil

Minister Falah Mustafa received the new Polish Consul, Mr Roman Jerzy Chalaczkiewicz, to the Kurdistan Region yesterday. The new consul has previously served as ambassador to Iraq (1997-2002) and in other countries in the Middle East, including United Arab Emirates. The assignment of the new consul follows the inauguration of their consulate in June last […]

From Iraq to Libya ...

As many of our readers will already be aware, Iraq Business News has a sister publication, Libya Business News, and we are pleased to report that it’s going from strength to strength. Clearly the two countries are in different stages of development, politically as well as economically, but they face similar challenges, and those challenges bring […]

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Afren Announces Positive Test Results

Afren has announces an update on the on-going testing programme on the Hunt Oil Middle East (HOME) operated Simrit-2 well, yielding incremental flow rates of 5,368 bopd, with a cumulative rate of 18,952 bopd from six of the 12 zones tested. Following the conclusion of drilling operations at the Simrit-2 well, located on the northern […]

13-Year Jail Term for US Contractor

By John Lee. An American contractor has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for taking at least $3.7 million in bribes and kickbacks while working for the US army in Iraq. John Alfy Salama Markus, 40, pleaded guilty in September before a federal judge in New Jersey to taking the money in connection with […]

The New Muqtada al-Sadr Seeks Moderate Image

By Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. During Iraq’s recent crises, the young religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr has presented himself as a mature and visionary politician. In the past, Sadr, his movement and its military wing, the Mahdi […]

Video: Saddam Nostalgia Lives On

From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. A decade after the US-led invasion of Iraq, years of violence and disdain for the country's current political class fuel nostalgia for Saddam Hussein -- the man the foreign troops fought to oust: (Source: […]

Iraq Shortlists 7 for Nasiriya Integrated Project

By John Lee. Iraq's Petroleum Contracts and Licensing Directorate (PCLD) has announced that seven international oil companies (IOCs) have been selected to bid for the development of its Nasiriya oilfield and refinery: Zarubezhneft, from Russia (Up and Downstream); CNPC, from China (Downstream); Brown Energy, from US (Downstream); Reliance Industries, from India (Up & Downstream); Lukoil, […]

Iran to gain $1.5-$2m/day from Gas to Iraq

By John Lee. Iranian deputy oil minister Javad Owji [Ouji, Oji] (pictured) says the country’s revenues from the planned export of natural gas to Iraq will reach $1.5-$2 million a day. According to a report from PressTV, he went on to say that Iran will start delivering gas to its western neighbour within three months. […]

Air Arabia Touches Down in Baghdad

Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today launched non-stop service to the Iraqi Capital, Baghdad, from the carrier's main hub in Sharjah, UAE. The inaugural flight and delegation was marked by the attendance of Air Arabia Chairman, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohamed Al Thani, and Air […]

US Introduces Groundbreaking Language Program

The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office introduced its innovative “Trace Effects” English language teaching tool to Iraqi educators during a March 9 seminar in downtown Baghdad. Trace Effects is a groundbreaking, 3-D, immersive video game designed by the Department of State for young English language learners. Trace Effects is offered free of charge, both online […]

Italy’s Export Credit Agency Signs Deal with KIB

Italy’s new ambassador to Iraq last week visited the Kurdistan Region for the first time and met President Masoud Barzani. He came with a delegation from SACE, Italy’s export credit and project finance agency. President Barzani and Ambassador Massimo Marroti, who arrived from Baghad, discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to further strengthen ties. Their […]