Iraq-ITC Talks on WTO Accession and Trade Support

By John Lee. A delegation from Iraq's Ministry of Trade has held meetings with officials from the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva to discuss cooperation on trade support and Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Iraqi delegation was accompanied by the head of Iraq's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and […]

Chevron Meets Iraq's Oil Minister about Investment Opportunities

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Oil, Basim Muhammad Khudhair al-Abadi, has met with a delegation from US oil major Chevron to discuss expanding cooperation and investment in the oil and gas sector. According to the Ministry of Oil, the talks covered opportunities to support the ministry's plans to increase production, develop infrastructure, and leverage […]

IDC Completes Well ZB-679 at Zubair

By John Lee. Iraqi Drilling Company (IDC) has completed drilling of directional well ZB-679 at the Zubair oil field, on behalf of the Zubair Field Operating Authority. The well was drilled using rig IDC-56 to a depth of 3,846 metres at an inclination angle of 20 degrees. Mohammed Hantoush Asad Al-Azirgawi, Director General of IDC, […]

PM Meets Iraqi-American Business Community in Washington

By John Lee. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has met with representatives of the Iraqi Christian diaspora and Iraqi-American business figures from Michigan at the start of his visit to Washington DC. According to the Prime Minister's Office, discussions covered the situation of the Iraqi diaspora community and prospects for increasing their participation in investment and […]

Central Bank Eases Rules on Cash Dollar Withdrawals

By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has reportedly ruled that banks may disburse customers' dollar-denominated deposits in cash, effective 15 July 2026. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), a CBI circular sets out the following provisions: Banks may continue to open foreign-currency accounts for customers, with customers entitled to withdraw […]

Germany Funds Climate-Inclusive Urban Transition Project in Iraq

By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Planning has held talks with Germany's Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on a German government-funded grant project focused on climate-responsive and inclusive urban development, known as CITIES+. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Mohammed Mohsen Al-Sayed, Director General of the Regional and Local Development Directorate, reviewed the technical requirements […]

Iraq-UK Cooperation on Marine Surveys and Charts

By John Lee. Iraq and the United Kingdom have held talks aimed at finalising a cooperation agreement on hydrographic surveys and nautical chart production. The discussions focused on enhancing technical cooperation in surveying and the production of navigational charts for Iraqi territorial waters and the shipping channels leading to Iraqi ports, as well as supporting […]

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Raises Shaikan Output

By John Lee. Production at the Shaikan oil field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has ramped up to more than 43,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) following a restart of production and export operations on 24 June 2026. Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) said well activities are under way to bring additional production online […]