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Iraq Maintains Stable Credit Rating

By John Lee. Standard & Poor's (S&P) has affirmed Iraq's credit rating at B-/B with a stable outlook. According to Iraq's Ministry of Finance, the report highlights Iraq's financial and economic stability, driven by ongoing economic and fiscal reforms implemented by the Ministry. It adds that the stable rating reflects Iraq's strong foreign currency reserves, […]

Int'l Pharma and Healthcare Companies target Iraq

By John Lee. An advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister has reportedly said that international pharmaceutical and healthcare companies are keen to set up factories in Iraq. State-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) quotes Hammoudi Al-Lami as saying that UK-based AstraZeneca held a meeting a month ago with a view to entering the Iraqi market, "either […]

Iraq to Chair G77 at United Nations

Iraq has been elected to chair the Group of 77 and China (G77) at the United Nations for the year 2025, following a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Group held to discuss Iraq's candidacy for this position. Iraq's Chargé d'Affaires to the United Nations in New York Dr. Abbas Kadhom Obaid, delivered a speech in which […]

Egyptian Firm plans Projects and Investments in Iraq

By John Lee. Egypt's Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) has informed the Egyptian Stock Exchange that it has started "the necessary legal and technical procedures" to begin projects and investments in Iraq. In July, company Chairman Hisham Talaat Moustafa was part of a delegation of Egyptian, Saudi, and Iraqi business leaders meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister […]

SAP Discusses Iraq Digital Transformation Roadmap

By John Lee. Iraq's Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, met with representatives from the German software firm SAP to discuss the company's proposed roadmap for Iraq's digital transformation. Al-Sudani emphasized the government's commitment to advancing digitalization after decades of isolation due to wars and sanctions, which hindered Iraq's technological progress. He highlighted the formation of […]

Finnish Power Company meets with Iraqi PM

By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met on Monday with the Finnish Ambassador to Iraq, Ms. Anu Saarela, who was accompanied by a delegation representing Wärtsilä, a Finnish company specializing in energy projects. The meeting focused on enhancing relations, particularly in the areas of politics, investment, information technology, and modern digital technologies, where […]

Iraq to Offer 10 Exploration Blocks in New Licensing Round

By John Lee. Iraq's Oil Minister, Hayan Abdul Ghani, announced plans to open 10 gas exploration blocks for investment in a new licensing round. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), Abdul Ghani revealed that the ministry will present these opportunities to specialized companies during an upcoming visit to the United States, targeting global […]

Sir Dominick Chilcott joins board of Genel Energy

By John Lee. Genel Energy has announced the appointment of Sir Dominick Chilcott as an Independent Non-Executive Director, with effect from 1 September 2024. According to a statement from the company, Sir Dominick brings a wealth of expertise from his distinguished career as a diplomat over four decades at the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office. […]

Egypt's Exports to Iraq increase 12%

By John Lee. Egypt's exports to Iraq have increased by more than 12 percent from January to May, compared with the same period last year. Citing data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), Egypt's official statistical agency, Egypt Today says exports increased from $274.7 million to $308.5 million. More here. (Source: […]

CBI discusses Financial Reforms in US

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) announced the outcomes of a high-level delegation visit to the United States, led by Governor Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, from August 26 to 29, 2024. The delegation held extensive meetings in New York with the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and major financial institutions such as Visa, […]

Iraqi Cabinet Approves Austrian Irrigation Loan Agreement

By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has granted the Finance Minister the authority to sign a loan agreement with Austria's Erste Bank, secured by the Austrian Export Credit Agency (OeKB). The loan will finance an irrigation technology project under the Ministry of Agriculture, in accordance with the Federal Budget Law for the fiscal years 2023-2025. […]