A new report jointly compiled by the Iraq Prime Minister’s Advisory Commission and the U.S. Agency for International Development warns that over dependence on oil revenues has the potential of creating significant economic and market distortions. According to the report, released at an October 4 conference in Baghdad’s Al-Rashid Hotel, rapid expansion of oil wealth, […]
The Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) has announced the opening a new branch at Baghdad International Airport, and confirmed that it will also open a branch at Najaf Airport. Hamdiya al-Jaff, the head of the TBI, said the Baghdad Airport branch will provide the full range of banking facilities, including remittances, opening current accounts, and […]
Investment almost $1 billion - highest foreign investment in Iraqi oil and gas sector Total 67 million barrels produced since 2008 – highest by private sector in Iraq Project achieves government fuel cost savings of $5.4 billion Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum, in their capacity as joint operator of the Khor Mor field, have announced […]
By John Lee. Iraq's South Oil Company has announced the completion of new pipeline network connecting its sites in North West Basra and the floating piers in the Fao [Faw] area, south of the province. Director General Dhia al-Mussawi told Aswat al-Iraq that the new pipelines will pump oil from storage in Tuba to the […]
By John Lee. As part of a review of the United Kingdom's diplomatic engagement with Iraq, which included the announcement today that the country's consulate in Basra is to close, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague (pictured), has announced increased resources for the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate […]
Thousands of Syrians are fleeing the conflict at home to take refuge in neighbouring countries. Jordan has announced it will open a second camp meaning as many as 250,000 refugees could be held in the country. But Iraq, another Syrian neighbour , is now limiting the numbers coming over the border saying it lacks the […]
Russia's LUKoil said on Tuesday that Iraq has not asked it to replace Exxon Mobil at the West Qurna-1 oilfield. Nefte Compass said last week that Iraq was considering replacing Exxon with either Russia's LUKoil and Gazprom Neft, but LUKoil Vice President Leonid Fedun (pictured) told Reuters: "No one has offered us West Qurna-1 ... […]
By John Lee. Todd Kozel (pictured), Gulf Keystone's Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, should not be considered a credible witness, a lawyer for Excalibur Ventures said at the opening day of a trial in London. Excalibur is suing the oil explorer for a 30 percent stake of the assets under a collaboration agreement, which according […]
By John Lee. Iraq's core inflation rate rose to 5.2 percent year-on-year in September, up from 5 percent year-on-year in August. Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Mudher Kasim [Mudher Saleh], deputy governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), blamed the increase on higher food prices and the start of the school year. Core inflation strips […]
By John Lee. Investigators in Iraq have opened an inquiry into alleged manipulation of the exchange rate between the Iraqi dinar (IQD) and the US dollar, and arrest warrants have reportedly been issued for several officials including the head of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). Hassan Karim Aati, spokesman for the Commission on Integrity, […]
The United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague (pictured), has announced the closure of the British consulate in Basra. In a statement to the House of Commons this morning, he explained the decision as follows: "Because of the improving security situation, it is now easier and safer for staff to […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has agreed to double the capital of state-owned Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) to one trillion Iraqi dinars [$858 million], according to a report from Bloomberg Baghdad-based TBI is under investigation for alleged irregularities, and an arrest warrant has been issued for its former president and chairman, Hussein al-Uzri. […]
