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Planning Ministry 'Extends SGS Work Until End Feb'

According to a report from AKnews, the Iraqi Ministry of Planning has decided to continue working with the Swiss-based company SGS until the end of February. Abdul Zahra al-Hindawi, a ministry spokesman, said the decision was taken in response to the demands of businessmen and importers until the completion of their commercial dealings with the […]

Gulf Keystone Hits New Highs on Possible FTSE Entry

Shares in Kurdistan-focussed Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) jumped more than 5% on the London market on Monday, achieving a new closing high of 432.66p, following an intra-day peak of just over 460p. A statement by the company confirmed its intention to move from the junior AIM market to a full listing on the London Stock […]

Statement by Iraqi Deputy PM on Oil Contracts

Statement by the office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, Dr Rowsch Shaways: In the last few days, some media outlets have reported statements by federal Iraqi government officials related to the oil contract with Exxon Mobil and a potential contract with Total. These statements have drawn the attention of many local and foreign […]

US Embassy: Arms Deals are Transparent, Trusted, and On Track

Despite recent news reports to the contrary, U.S. arms sales to Iraq under the U.S. government’s “Foreign Military Sales” program are completely transparent and accountable, and the sale of army tanks is no exception. The U.S. Embassy emphatically denies a Tuesday report in Al-Dustour newspaper that quoted a “Parliamentary Source” as saying that tanks purchased […]

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USAID-Sponsored Bank Provides Financing for Iraqi SMEs

The Iraqi Company for Bank Guarantees (ICBG) is a privately-owned non-banking financial institution that guarantees repayment of up to 75% of loans, ranging from $5,000 up to $250,000, that private commercial banks extend to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq. Early this year, the company reached a significant milestone when it surpassed $50 million […]

Video: Dealing in Dinar

According to Kansas-based NBC affiliate KSN, many servicemen and contractors have been persuaded to buy Iraqi dinars as an investment during their tours of duty in Iraq. Please click here to see the full video report: (Source: KSN)

Iraq Stock Market Report

Advertising Feature Rabee Securities Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) market report (week ending: 16th February 2012). Please click here to download a table of listed companies and their associated ticker codes. ID1,347 / $1,478,  +2.0% (weekly change). The number of weekly traded shares was 6.0 bn and the weekly trading volume was ID10.1bn ($8.5mn). ISX Company […]

Iraq Offers Pakistan Oil on Credit

Iraq has reportedly offered to supply oil to Pakistan with a long-term deferred payment facility. A Special Assistant to the Prime Minister said that a delegation would go to Iraq to negotiate a deal. “Oil refineries in Pakistan are designed to refine low sulphur oil [so] new refineries would be required to process Iraqi oil,” […]

Joint Air Cargo Venture Between Dubai and Erbil

UAE-based Starlight Airlines, the largest cargo operator to and out of Iraq, has entered into an agreement with Emirates SkyCargo to launch cargo operations between its Sharjah hub and Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Under the agreement, the service operates a Boeing 777 freighter to Erbil, twice a week initially, possibly increasing to […]

Ambassador Encourages Dutch Companies to do Business in Kurdistan

The Dutch Ambassador to Iraq, Jeroen Roodenburg [Gurion Rodnberk] announced on Wednesday that authorities in the Netherlands would encourage Dutch companies to invest in Kurdistan Region. “Dutch companies have good experience in the fields of sports, buildings stadiums, water systems, and industry” said the ambassador. “We will try to get Dutch companies come here and do […]

Syria, Iraq Discuss Cooperation in Oil and Gas

Iraq's Oil Minister, Abdul Kareem Luaibi [Elaibi], has held talks with his Syrian counterpart Sufian Allaw (pictured), according to the Syrian official SANA news agency. The talks focused on reopening the old Iraqi oil pipeline and enhancing cooperation between the two ministries. The two sides also discussed the possibility of benefiting from the gas available […]

150 Foreign Companies Pursued over Oil-for-Food Program

Fadel Mohammed, legal adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, has said that the Iraqi government is currently pursuing more than 150 foreign companies accused of corruption in the UN's Oil-for-Food program. AKnews reports that the government is determined to bring these companies to justice, adding that there are several other companies under investigation. The Oil-for-Food […]