By John Lee. An article from Seeking Alpha speculates that Iraq could provide solid opportunities to oil field services firms like Baker Hughes, but points out that there are significant risks and issues that need to be addressed before international firms can participate wholeheartedly in this promising market. Baker Hughes has been making steady progress […]
The Government of Iraq has launched a new national education strategy to improve access to quality education for Iraq’s 33 million citizens. “This is Iraq’s first ever national education strategy, which is unique in both Iraq and the region,” said Dr. Mohammed Ali Tamim, Iraq’s Minister of Education. “This strategy will respond to the needs […]
By John Lee. Iraq has completed a new $146-million project to supply drinking water to much of Baghdad's population. Saleh al-Mutlaq (pictured), deputy prime minister for service affairs, told Al-Shorfa: "The ministry of municipalities opened the Abu Ghraib Great Water Project ... It will provide drinking water to houses through modern networks, and will cover […]
By John Lee. Transparency International has said that Iraq maintained its position in the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). In the latest annual list, Libya was in 8th-last position, a ranking it shared last year with Haiti, which has improved its position by two places. From at total of 176 countries, Iraq came in at […]
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Mr. Martin Kobler (pictured), has welcomed the beginning of the first voter registration update in three years as part of preparations for the forthcoming Governorate Council elections on 20 April 2013. “The opening of 891 Voter Registration Centres is an important step towards transparent […]
By John Lee. Reuters reports that top oil trader Vitol has apologised to the Iraqi government for buying Kurdish oil that was exported via Turkey without Baghdad's permission. Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul-Kareem Luaibi [Elaibi] said on in Vienna: "In terms of Vitol, they have cancelled the Kurdish amount and they apologised officially ... As for […]
By John Lee. South Korea's STX Heavy Industries has said it has won a $150-million order to construct and operate a power plant in Amara, in Missan province. Under the turnkey contract signed with Iraq's Ministry of Electricity, STX will take responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the plant for a year after its […]
By John Lee. The General Commission for Iraqi Free Zones (IFZ) has signed a contract to establish a special zone for commercial activities in accordance with the Free Zones law number 3 of 1998, reports to Aswat al-Iraq. IFZ director Saleh Saleh al-Qeissi [Sabah Saleh al-Qaisi] said: "The IFZ signed an investment contract with the Eaamar […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Commission on Integrity reports that Deputy Prime Minister Salih al-Mutlaq has still not complied with the country's financial disclosure requirements, despite that fact that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the other two of his three deputy Prime ministers have presented their financial disclosure statements to the Commission. President Jalal Talabani has also […]
By John Lee. Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organisation (SOMO) has this morning adjusted its official selling prices for its Basra Light and Kirkuk crude grades for January. In common with some other countries, Iraq’s oil is priced relative to regional benchmark prices: For shipments to US, contracts are priced are relative to the Argus Sour […]
Research In Motion (RIM) announced that the BlackBerry App World storefront is now available for customers in Iraq, offering them easy access to a broad range of mobile applications that are purpose-built for BlackBerry smartphones and BlackBerry PlayBook tablets. Customers can personalize their BlackBerry device, find the hottest games and entertainment, and get apps that […]
Erbil International Airport has welcomed the decision of the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to lift its ban on commercial planes from the US flying into Kurdistan. The ban, imposed in 1996, for safety and security reasons has been in place for 16 years. The decision will benefit private jets, and cargo services in particular. […]
