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In a recent move by the Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Interior, citizens from 53 countries have been granted the ability to enter the Kurdistan Region without a pre-arranged visa.

Under this new policy, eligible travellers simply need to present their passports at any border entry point, where they will be issued an electronic visa, allowing them immediate access to the region.

The countries included in this visa exemption are: Albania, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Applicants must ensure their passports are valid for at least 6 months to be eligible for entry.

(Source: KRG)

By John Lee.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have renewed their call for Iraq to respect the agreement between the Iraq and Kuwait on the regulation of maritime navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway.

In September, the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court declared the agreement to be unconstitutional.

A joint statement issued on Wednesday at the conclusion of the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's, visit to Saudi Arabia, said:

"... They underscored the importance of the Republic of Iraq's respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Kuwait, as per the bilateral and international commitments, and all pertinent UN resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 833 of 1993, which set the land and sea border between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq.

"They emphasized the need to complete the demarcation of the Kuwait-Iraq marine border, including reaching the marine mark Number 162.

"The two sides also urged Iraq to adhere to the agreement regulating navigation through the Khor Abdullah waterway, which was signed by Kuwait and Iraq on April 29, 2012, and came into effect on December 5, 2013, following ratification by both countries. It was jointly deposited with the UN on December 18, 2013.

"The parties expressed strong opposition to Iraq's unilateral annulment of the security swap protocol signed in 2008, along with the map approved in the joint plan, aimed at maintaining the security and safety of navigation in Khor Abdullah. The agreement and plan included a clear and specific procedure for amendment and cancellation.

"The two sides also reiterated their support for Security Council Resolution 2107 of 2013, which requests the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) to facilitate and assist in the repatriation or return of all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals, or their remains, and the return of Kuwaiti property, including the national archives. The resolution further calls upon the UN secretary-general to report to the Security Council on the progress made in fulfilling UNAMI's responsibilities, as stated in paragraph 4 of the resolution. Both parties urged Iraq and the UN to exert every effort to reach a final solution to all unresolved issues and files.  ..."

More analysis here.

(Source: Saudi Press Agency)

By John Lee.

Canada's Three Sixty Solar has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the sourcing, fabrication, implementation, and distribution of vertical solar tower systems within the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey.

The company signed the MOU with a consortium of partners including Infraforward Strategies (US), Tareeq Al-Ahmadi Company (Iraq), Fibercom Company (Turkey), and Zamil Group Trade & Services Company (KSA).

The MOU focuses on collectively rolling out Three Sixty Solar's vertical solar tower technology in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, with opportunities for future geographic expansion upon success in the defined region.

According to a press release from Three Sixty Solar, the partners have already begun cooperative efforts on material and fabrication sourcing in the region as well as begun exploring commercial opportunities in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Turkey with further work kicking off the week of January 15 now that the MOU is signed.

It describes the Tareeq Al-Ahmadi Company as, "an experienced engineering, construction and development company providing turnkey systems in Iraq to support next generation technologies."

(Source: Three Sixty Solar)

By Dana Taib Menmy for The New Arab. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Iraq grants investment rights to PMF-linked company for one million palm trees in Samawah Desert

Iraqi and US scholars have raised questions about the project's feasibility, accusing the Iranian-backed groups of having military aims behind the project.

Click here to read the full story.

By John Lee.

The Iraqi Health Ministry has announced new initiatives with Saudi Arabia, focusing on establishing health centers and pharmaceutical factories.

Speaking to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), Minister of Health Saleh Al-Hasnawi emphasized the significant development in Iraqi-Saudi relations, spanning political, economic, and service sectors.

He said the two ministries are jointly working on health centers across Iraqi provinces, backed by a Saudi grant, and fostering collaboration between the private sectors of both countries to establish pharmaceutical factories.

Al-Hasnawi underscored the Health Ministry's support for local pharmaceutical industry development, citing advancements and lessons learned from Saudi Arabia. The minister highlighted the importance of exchanging experiences, particularly in public health, infectious diseases, and treatment, given the shared context of pilgrimage visits between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

(Source: INA)

By John Lee.

Saudi Arabia's Gulf Elevators and Escalators Co. (GEEC), a subsidiary of Mayar Holding, has signed an exclusive agency agreement with Midpoint Trading and Agencies Ltd. in Iraq.

According to a statement from Mayar, under the three-year agreement, Midpoint Trading and Agencies will exclusively market, sell, install, and maintain Gulf Elevators' elevator and escalator products in Iraq.

The CEO of Mayar Holdings, Engineer Abdulmajeed bin Abdulmohsen Al Alsheikh, expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing its significance in the company's expansion strategy and regional market presence.

Mr. Amir Amer Abdulameer, the Managing Director of Midpoint Trading and Agencies Ltd., also expressed his delight with the agreement, highlighting the significant opportunity it represents for the company to enhance its presence in the Iraqi market and deliver high-quality products and services to customers in the Republic of Iraq.

(Source: Mayar)

From the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

The Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF), under the guidance of President and FIA Vice President for Sport - MENA, His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa, recently organised an extensive 12-day training course for members of the Iraq Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (IAMF).

Held at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir from December 5 to 16, 2023, this initiative is part of the cooperation and strong relations between the BMF and the IAMF.

The agenda, which was specially catered to the visiting delegates, included a number of theoretical and practical workshops covering key areas within the BMF's jurisdiction.

Topics included basic motorsport marshalling, medical team responsibilities, and technical aspects concerning the pit and grid areas, logistics, fire and rescue, recovery, and scrutineering.

During the programme, trainees had the opportunity to shadow BMF officials while they carried out their duties at major racing events hosted at BIC.

These events included Beyon Speed Weekend featuring the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, the Formula 4 Saudi Arabia Trophy, Bahrain Drag Racing Championship, Bahrain Autocross Championship, and the Bahrain Rotax MAX Challenge in karting.

Upon the programme's conclusion, HE Shaikh Abdulla expressed gratitude to IAMF for their trust in BMF to conduct the training, foreseeing enhanced collaborations between the two prominent motorsport bodies. HE Shaikh Abdulla also extended his best wishes for the IAMF's future success.

The Iraqi delegation commended the advanced level of motorsport in the Kingdom of Bahrain and applauded BMF's significant efforts in promoting and developing the sport.

They highlighted BMF's pivotal role in fostering the rapid growth of racing across the region and acknowledged the competencies of Bahraini motorsport officials.

By John Lee.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani commended the signing of a partnership agreement between the private Iraqi company Al-Diyar Al-Iraqia and the Saudi Northern Region Cement Company, marking the first collaboration between the private sectors of Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the field of cement.

The event took place during the reception of the Saudi Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Shamari, in the presence of the Executive Director of the Iraq Development Fund, Mr. Mohammed Al-Najjar, and representatives from both the Iraqi and Saudi companies.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani highlighted that this partnership paves the way for broader future collaborations between Iraqi and Saudi businesses, encouraging the private sectors in both countries to create more joint employment opportunities and sustainable development. He emphasized that it strengthens the economic ties between Iraq and neighboring countries.

According to a statement by NRCC to the Saudi Stock Exchange, NRCC agreed on the acquisition by Al-Diyar Al-Iraqia For Investments Company of 49 percent of its investments in Iraq, stating a transaction value of $43.953 million.

A report for BNN Breaking says that, "Al-Diyar Company, directed by Salman Daoud Salman, has acquired 49% of the investments of the Saudi Northern Factory in Iraq. This industrial hub, spanning an area of 6,000 dunams, is located in the Al-Najaf Governorate."

(Sources: Media Office of the Prime Minister, Saudi Stock Exchange, BNN Breaking)

By John Lee.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly made $3 billion available for investment in Iraq.

The country's ambassador to Iraq, Abdulaziz Al-Shammari (pictured), told the state-run Iraqi News Agencyt (INA) that, "$3 billion is now available at the Public Investment Fund ... coordination is underway between the fund of Iraq for development and the investment fund to discuss these opportunities and put them in reality."

(Source: INA)

By John Lee.

Iraq's Minister of Industry has chaired the inaugural meeting of the committee studying the establishment of an Iraqi-Saudi border economic zone.

The meeting included representatives from the Ministries of Trade, Planning, and Oil, and addressed the committee's tasks and decisions related to setting up the economic zone.

Parallels were drawn with the joint economic city between Iraq and Jordan, with the meeting exploring the feasibility of the project, addressing organization, administration, and supervision of such cities, aiming to overcome obstacles and create suitable conditions.

The committee tentatively approved the establishment of the economic zone on the Iraqi-Saudi border, anticipating economic benefits and unique advantages.

Positioned as a crucial gateway between the two countries, the zone is envisioned as a developmental area encompassing free zones, facilitating trade exchanges, and hosting headquarters for various shared companies.

(Source: Ministry of Trade)