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Versar gets $4.4m Iraq Contract Extension

Construction and engineering company Versar has announced that the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District (USACE-MED) has exercised an option year for Versar's ongoing Personal Services and Support contract in Iraq. The option year has a ceiling not to exceed a value of $4.4 million and the period of performance runs through […]

Zebari, Beecroft, Discuss Iraq-US Relations

By John Lee. Hoshyar Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has held a meeting with Robert Stephen Beecroft, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed developments of the political process in the country and Iraqi-U.S. relations as part of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the two countries. The two sides discussed arrangements […]

The PM's Amazing Disappearing Website

It's probably fair to say that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has a lot on his mind at the moment, with the continuation of protests against his rule, the ongoing difficulties with Iraqi Kurdistan regarding oil contracts, and a rising death toll due to terrorist violence. Seen in the context of these challenges, the question of […]

Air Arabia Launches Sharjah-Baghdad Service

By John Lee. Air Arabia has announced the launch of non-stop services to Baghdad, its fourth destination in Iraq, and 83rd worldwide. The inaugural flight G90361 will take off to the capital city on March 10, 2013. The low-cost pioneer will start three weekly services between Sharjah and Baghdad, which will be increased to five […]

Banque Libano-Française Opens Iraqi Branch

In line with its international expansion, Banque Libano-Française (BLF) has opened its first branch in Iraq. The BLF branch, located on the Outer Karrada main street in Baghdad, will serve Lebanese and Iraqi businessmen as well as international companies operating in this growing and dynamic market, which has traditionally been one of Lebanon’s main destinations […]

Iraq, Britain Form Joint Business Council

The Iraqi-British Joint ministerial Committee for Trade Cooperation held its first meeting in Baghdad on 12th February. The Iraqi side was headed by Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, while the British side was headed by British Minister of State for Middle East Affairs, Alistair Burt, and attended by a number of senior officials and ministers from […]

Weekly Security Update

By Tom Walker, Director, Assaye Risk. (Please click on graphics to view.) COUNTRY OVERVIEW 08 and 11 February saw bombings in Mosul, Baghdad, Karbala and Shomali that resulted in the deaths of at least 38 people with a further approx 100 wounded, which followed a similar pattern of attacks from the previous week. There has […]

DNO Reports Record Profits

By John Lee. DNO International ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas company, has announced record 2012 net profit of NOK 1.04 billion on operating revenues of NOK 2.84 billion. Fourth quarter 2012 net profit was NOK 810 million on operating revenues of NOK 1.43 billion. Shares in the company closed 2.8 percent higher on Tuesday. […]

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Iraq "has Little Interest in Oil Law"

By John Lee. A leading Sunni figure has said that Iraq is not likely to pass a hydrocarbon law anytime soon, as the government has little interest in pushing a draft through parliament. Adnan Al-Janabi, a member of the Iraqiyya party, and the head of Iraq's parliamentary oil and energy committee, told Reuters: "It is […]

Training on Management of Investment Zones

By John Lee. In collaboration with OECD and and National Investment Commission (NIC), a special two-day training course in the management of investment zones was held recently in Baghdad. On behalf of NIC chairman Dr. Sami Al-Araji, NIC advisor Dr. Abdullah Al-Bander welcomed participants representing several ministries, including Industry and Minerals, Communication, Finance and the […]

US Contractor Fined for Late Reporting of Casualties

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs has announced a $75,000 settlement with The Sandi Group/Corporate Bank Financial Services for failure to report in a timely manner on the injuries and deaths of 30 employees in Iraq between 2003 and 2005. Under the Defense Base Act, a company must report any injury […]