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His Excellency Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi has received Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassem al-Thani Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and his accompanying delegation.

The delegation included a group of ministers and advisers. During the meeting, they have discussed boosting bilateral cooperation in various sectors, especially in the economic sector, in addition to the situation in the region.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassem Al Thani has conveyed greetings and blessings of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to His Excellency Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi on the occasion of the government formation and the desire of the State of Qatar to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

Qatari Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed that the similarities are great between the two countries and that his country is looking forward to developing these relations, noting that Iraq has emerged after its victory over terrorism stronger and much more dependent on the next phase in economic and trade cooperation in the field of energy and others.

His Excellency Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi has welcomed the delegation, stressing the importance of relations between the two countries, expressing Iraq's inspiration for expanding to other fields.

His Excellency has added that the development of the economy, investment, and job creation are priorities of our ministerial platform. Therefore, we are working for good relations with countries, facilitating investment procedures which will contribute to the development of the economy.

His Excellency has reaffirmed that Iraq is recovering and moving forward after defeating terrorism, dazzling the world. It is very important to provide the necessary investment environment to improve the country's situation in all sectors.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, on behalf of the Amir of Qatar, has invited His Excellency Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi to visit Qatar.

The Qatari delegation has included Ali Ahmed al-Kuwari Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ahmed Bin Mohammed al-Missned advisor to the Emir of the State of Qatar for National Security, Faisal Bin Thani al-Thani Chairman of Qatar Investment Authority, Khalifa al-Kuwari, Director of Qatar Development Fund.

(Source: Media Office of the Prime Minister)

By John Lee.

Asiacell Iraq has benefitted from improvements in the security and economic situation in the country, according to its parent, the Qatari company Ooredoo.

In its results for the first nine months of 2018, the company said:

"With more areas liberated and network restoration underway, Asiacell reported a 3% increase in Revenue to QAR 3.5 billion at 9M 2018, compared to the same period last year.

"EBITDA was up 8% to QAR 1.6 billion, growing at a faster rate than revenue and reflecting good efficiency management.

"Customer base increased 6% to 13.3 million customers for the 9M 2018 period, and Asiacell received the prestigious CARE award for its excellence in customer care service."

(Source: Ooredoo)

(Picture: Faruk Mustafa Rasool, Chairman of Asiacell)

By John Lee.

The state-owned Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) is reported to be in talks to buy a Gulf bank with branches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.

Chairman Faisal al-Haimus told Reuters that talks are underway and the purchase is expected to be completed in six to eight months. The name of the bank was not disclosed.

According to the report, Haimus was in Abu Dhabi to sign a 100 million euros ($115.5 million) loan agreement with Germany's Commerzbank to enable it to support small and medium sized projects in Iraq.

More here.

(Source: Reuters)

The coalition and its partnered forces in Iraq and Syria continue to make progress in the effort to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the coalition’s senior French representative has said.

Brig. Gen. Frederic Parisot of the French air force, the director of civil-military operations for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, provided an operational update briefing to Pentagon reporters today via videoconference from Baghdad.

Coalition strikes in April and June killed six high-value terrorist leaders responsible for planning terror operations overseas, Parisot announced. He credited the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Iraqi security forces and the coalition for the progress in defeating the terrorists.

“Thanks to the operations conducted by the SDF, ISF and the coalition, we are stopping [ISIS] from being able to conduct terror across the world and degrading the ability to plan and finance such operations,” he said.

In a news release, the coalition said the removal of the six terrorists has prevented ISIS’ external attack planning, facilitation and operations targeting Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the United States.

The release says those killed were a Syrian-based ISIS member planning attacks in Saudi Arabia; a Belgian foreign fighter who came to Syria to plan attacks against the United States and its interests; and four people linked to a Swedish attack plot.

Focus on ISIS Defeat

Parisot detailed other progress in the fight, including the Iraqi security forces working with Kurdish peshmerga fighters in joint operations to clear an area in the mountains near Kirkuk, Iraq.

Additionally, along Iraq’s western border, the Iraqi forces continue to prevent terrorists from pouring into Iraq while the coalition continues to provide intelligence, overwatch and fire support to partner force on the ground, he said.

Parisot pointed out that Operation Roundup is in its 84th day of activating the offensive to defeat ISIS remnants in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. He noted the recent liberation of Dashishah in Syria, which was among the last terrorist strongholds in the area.

“Thanks to the combined SDF ground offensive, strikes by coalition and Iraqi forces and border security operation by the ISF, Dashishah has been freed after four years of tyrannical [ISIS] rule,” he said.

Fight to ‘Finally Rid the World’ of ISIS

France is steadfast in its support to the coalition, Parisot said, highlighting the strikes French forces have conducted operations as well as providing the training and other support French forces provide toward the defeat-ISIS effort.

“My country knows firsthand the horrific acts that [ISIS] is willing and capable of committing, and that's why we will remain committed to this fight,” he said.

He said the 1,100 French forces in Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are working side by side with coalition nations at the forefront of efforts to defeat ISIS.

“France is honored to stand among the 72 nations and five international organizations that comprise the most successful international coalition ever formed,” he said. “We remain committed to the fight to finally rid the world of [ISIS] once and for all”

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

Qatar Fund For Development Supports WFP’s Food Assistance Program in Iraq

The Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) has made a contribution of US$3 million to the United Nations World Food Programme to provide assistance for displaced people in Iraq. The funding will support more than 22,000 Iraqis living in camps.

“The Qatar Fund For Development is committed to supporting displaced people in Iraq, providing them with their basic human needs, and giving them hope for a better future,” said QFD Executive Director of Corporate Strategy, Ali Abdulla Al-Dabbagh after signing the contribution agreement in London.

In urban areas with functioning markets, families will receive cash, allowing them to buy the food they need in line with their dietary requirements and preferences. In areas where local markets are not well established, WFP provides assistance through e-vouchers, which can be used in selected shops.

“We welcome this donation from the Qatar Fund For Development,” said Francis Mwanza, head of WFP’s London office. “Although some Iraqis have returned to their homes, others have lost all their possessions and face security threats, these people remain in camps and continue to need our support.”

WFP currently assists 570,000 displaced Iraqis in camps each month with food rations and cash-based assistance.

(Source: WFP)

Milaha Launches First Ever Container Feeder Service Between Qatar and Iraq

Milaha, a Qatar-based maritime transport and logistics conglomerate, has announced the launch of a direct container feeder service between Qatar and Iraq.

The new service, which will be an expansion of the existing Qatar-Kuwait service that the company launched last year, will follow a Hamad Port-Umm Qasr (Iraq)-Shuwaikh (Kuwait)-Hamad Port rotation, and will be initially served by one vessel with a 1,015 TEU capacity and 110 reefer plugs.

The service will have a transit time of 2 days, making it particularly ideal for dry and refrigerated food stuff, consumer electronics, and construction materials, among other cargo. The first vessel will depart from Hamad Port on 7 May 2018 and reach at Umm Qasr Port on 9 May 2018.

Commenting on the launch of the new service, Milaha’s President and CEO Mr. Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai said:

“There has been excellent demand on the Qatar-Kuwait service that we launched last year, and we have been looking at ways to further expand that service to give our Iraqi clients and partners more convenience through greater port coverage and reduced transit times. This new service will contribute to the reconstruction efforts in Iraq, and will also help boost the growing trade and economic relations between Qatar and Iraq.”

(Source: Milaha)

By John Lee.

Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced steps towards cooperation in air transport with Iraq.

The announcement came during a visit by Iraq's Minister of Transport, Kadhim Finjan Al Hammami, during which he met Qatar's Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti and CAA Chairman Abdullah bin Nasser Turki Al Subaey.

The two sides agreed to cooperate in preparing and issuing new regulations and legislation on civil aviation safety in Iraq in line with European and U.S. systems.

(Sources: QNA, CAA Qatar)

(Picture: Waving flag of Qatar and Iraq, from Aleksandar Mijatovic/Shutterstock)

By John Lee.

A new shipping route has been announced between Qatar and Iraq.

Serving Hamad Port in Qatar and Umm Qasr Port in Iraq, the first ship set to arrive in Iraqi on 1st May.

The announcement was made during the meeting between Ministers of Transport of the two countries.

(Source: The Peninsula Qatar, Qatar Ministry of Transport)

By John Lee.

Soccer's governing body FIFA has lifted its three-decade ban on Iraq hosting international football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is quoted as saying that this will allow international matches to be played in Erbil, Basra (pictured) and Karbala, where the security situation was considered to be "stable", but not yet in Baghdad.

Iraq will host Qatar and Syria for a friendly tournament starting on March 21 in Basra.

(Sources: AFP, Reuters)

By John Lee.

Qatar and Iraq have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance security co-operation between the two countries.

According to Gulf Times the MoU aims to enhancing security co-operation, co-ordination, and the exchange of information and expertise between the two sides.

It covers almost all areas including terrorism and its finance, combating drug and human trafficking, and money laundering.

The MoU also covers security at airports and ports.

(Source: Gulf Times)