What is Abadi doing to Protect Iraq’s Christians?
By Omar al-Jaffal, for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Babylon Louis Sako boycotted the National Conference on the Protection of Peaceful Coexistence, the Ban of Hatred and the Fight against Terrorism and Extremism held in the Iraqi parliament Feb. […]
Will Govt Employees face more Wage Cuts in 2016?
By Mustafa Saadoun, for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Plunging oil prices are now affecting ordinary civil servants’ salaries in Iraq. Al-Monitor met with an employee of the Ministry of Culture who, on condition of anonymity, shared his plan of submitting a […]
Medserv Acquires METS
Malta-based Medserv has announced that it has today completed the acquisition of Middle East Tubular Services (METS), a group of companies based in the UAE, Oman and Iraq. Established in 2006 in Sharjah, UAE, METS has grown rapidly becoming a market leader due to its position as the only one-stop-shop for oil country tubular goods […]
Asiacell selects Ericsson for Transmission Backbone Contract
Ericsson and Asiacell have partnered in a network deal to transform Asiacell's transmission backbone infrastructure in Iraq, reports Telecompaper. This project enables Asiacell to secure the required technology and capacity to cater for the increased demand for data traffic and improve customer experiences in Iraq in the coming five years. Ericsson collaborated with Asiacell in […]
New Head of Korean Consulate Begins Mission in Kurdistan
Head of KRG Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, today welcomed the new Head of Embassy Office of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Young-Kyu Park. On behalf of the KRG, Minister Mustafa congratulated Mr. Park on his new post and assured him of the DFR’s full support to ensure the success of his mission. The Minister […]
IS Sells Properties Left by Kurds in Mosul
By John Lee. BasNews reports that the Islamic State group (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) is allegedly attempting to put residential buildings taken from civilians in Mosul on sale. A source told the news agency that IS confiscated "more than 126" (sic) houses left by Kurds and Christians in Mosul, and is now selling the houses […]
US Approves $350m Beechcraft Iraq Deal
The US State Department's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Iraq for KA-350 [King Air 350] sustainment, logistics, and spares support. The estimated cost is $350 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on February 23, 2016. […]
Total, Vitol Fined in Iraq Oil-For-Food Case
By John Lee. French oil company Total and Swiss oil-trading company Vitol have been fined for corruption by a French court in relation to Iraq’s oil-for-food program. According to Bloomberg, Total was guilty of corrupting foreign civil servants, and has been fined EUR 750,000, while Vitol has been fined EUR 300,000. Other corruption charges against Total […]
KRG Relaunches Monthly Crude Oil Export Reports
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) today relaunches the monthly crude oil export reports, to include additional information that further increases the transparency of the KRG’s direct oil sales. All future monthly reports will contain this new information. For the first time the monthly reports include the revenues received by the KRG on account and cargoes […]
ALE Concludes Badra Transportation Contract
ALE has completed the year-long operations for the Badra heavy transportation contract in Iraq. The global heavy lifting specialists were contracted as part of the Badra Oil Field Development Project to receive and transport 44 heavy and Out of Gauge (OOG) items 600km to site. With weights up to 230t and dimensions up to 48m […]
Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq
U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Attack, fighter, and remotely […]
US Asst Secretary of State Visits Iraq
United States Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski visited Iraq, February 21-24, to discuss human rights issues with senior Iraqi government and judicial officials, and religious and civil society leaders. The Assistant Secretary’s delegation, which included Knox Thames, Special Advisor for Religious Minorities, was joined by United States Ambassador […]