Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraqi politics news, keeping you up to date with the latest information and developments.
By John Lee. According to a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the external outlook for Iraq has worsened since the latest Article IV consultation assessment (May-June), mainly owing to a further weakening of global oil prices. The analysis finds: "Lower capital spending on the back of falling oil revenue is expected to contract […]
By John Lee. Washington DC-based communications consultancy BGR Government Affairs LLC has reported that it has been actively lobbying in the United States on behalf of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). In a statement made pursuant to the US’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the company also confirmed that it had billed the KRG $150,000 for […]
This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Which Iraqi had the most impact on their nation over the past 12 months? NIQASH editors and correspondents picked a few candidates - some obvious, some interesting - and invite […]
By John Lee. Iraq’s Ministry of Migration and Displacement has nominated a Kurdish Yazidi woman for the Nobel Peace Prize. Nadia Murad, aged 21, escaped from the Islamic State group (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) having being taken into sex slavery by the jihadist group. Since gaining freedom, she has addressed the United Nations Security Council […]
The World Bank expects the Iraqi economy to grow 3.1 percent in 2016, according its flagship "Global Economic Prospects" report released yesterday. This follows an estimated growth of 0.5 percent last year, driven by increased oil production. Growth rates of 7.1 percent and 6.5 percent are predicted for 2017 and 2018 respectively. These figures are […]
From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq is offering to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran to end their dispute, which began when Riyadh executed a prominent Shia cleric. This, along with Tehran's alleged failure to protect Saudi Arabian […]
By Simon Kent. The Kurdish Regional Government has announced a plan to implement a series of economic reforms in the face of a growing recession. Currently, the region has debt of up to $18 billion, a crisis made far worse by expenditures in the war against ISIS, the collapse in oil prices and a bloated […]
By Simon Kent. Iraqi Foreign Minister and former PM Ibrahim al Jafaari (pictured) is on an official visit to Kuwait, and has heralded improving relations between the two countries. In a meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah al Khaled, Jafaari noted increasing bilateral trade and a planned scheme where Iraq will supply gas to Kuwait. He […]
By John Lee. Saudi Arabia has re-opened its embassy in Baghdad, 25 years after relations were broken over Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. The embassy will have an initial staff of 35 people, and a consulate is expected to open later in Erbil. Diplomatic relations were restored in 2004 after the toppling of the Saddam Hussein […]
By John Lee. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to finalize an agreement with Iraq in the coming days for a program to monitor its economy. The fund's Middle East director, Masood Ahmed, told Reuters the program would establish a track record of effective performance from the Iraqi authorities which could lead to a […]
Senior KRG officials on Sunday discussed economic reform plans of the government and bilateral ties with Baroness Emma Nicholson, UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy for Iraq. The meeting was chaired by Minister Falah Mustafa, and he was joined by Dr. Ali Sindi Minister of Planing, Nawroz Mawlod Minister of Municipality and Tourism, Mawlod Bawa Murad […]
From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Violence, political instability and a struggling economy have left almost a third of Iraq's population without basic services such as water and sanitation. Al Jazeera's Imtiaz Tyab reports from Baghdad on how people […]
