Iraqis Struggle to Maintain Architectural Heritage
By Wassim Bassem for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. As soon as merchant Ali Hussein had finished erecting his store at Najaf's "Big Market," 160 kilometers (99 miles) south of Baghdad, construction and decoration experts recommended that he cover the front with colored plastic […]
Major Project Announcements 'Imminent'
By John Lee. Several major project announcements are expected shortly in Diwaniyah, according to a report from ConstructionWeekOnline. These including projects attached to the $1.35bn Al-Diwaniyah International Commercial Airport (pictured), which is to be built by Kuwait’s Al-Nasriyah Company, and is due to be completed by the end of 2017. Other projects include a $210-million […]
Video: Firms on Trial for Breaching Iraq Embargo
From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Fourteen companies including Renault Trucks, Legrand and Schneider Electric stand trial, accused of breaching the embargo on Saddam Hussein's Iraq in the 1990s:
Confusion Reigns in Iraq-Kurd Oil Dispute
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. Truth, Lies And Barrels Per Day: Confusion Reigns in Iraq-Kurd Oil Dispute The deal done to resolve Baghdad's issues with Kurdish oil looks shaky. Both sides have presented different oil […]
New Details of Iraq’s Venice Biennale Pavilion
By John Lee. The Ruya Foundation for Contemporary Culture in Iraq has announced its plans for the Iraq Pavilion at this year’s 56th Venice Biennale. Titled “Invisible Beauty,” the presentation will feature two generations of Iraqi photographers, in the shape of Latif Al Ani and Akam Shex Hadi, performance artist Rabab Ghazoul, ceramicist and sculptor Salam […]
LUKoil Seeks more Compensation Oil
By John Lee. LUKoil boss Vagit Alekperov (pictured) has reportedly threatened to cut investment in Iraq unless Baghdad offers more oil in return. The Iraqi government reimburses IOCs' costs in physical shipments of oil. LUKoil is a partner in the West Qurna-2 project, and in the development of Block 10. (Source: Reuters)
KRG "can be Self-Sufficient in Months"
By John Lee. Ashti Hawrami (pictured), KRG energy minister, has said that Iraqi Kurdistan is expected to reach financial self-sufficiency from Baghdad within months, despite central government withholding the region’s 17 percent share of budget. Speaking to Rudaw, he outlined plans to increase oil production to 750,000 bpd by the end of this year. In a […]
Video: Revenge and Reprisals in Iraq?
From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Human Rights Watch says Iraqi civilians are being caught between the "horrors of ISIL and the brutality of Shia militias". The rights group accuses government forces, volunteers and Shia fighters of burning and […]
Iran Gathers Power, as US Further Sidelined
By Mohammed A. Salih for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. While the United States has invested trillions of dollars and thousands of lives since 2003 to bring Iraq into its orbit, today it is Iran that appears to have achieved that […]
Video: IS Genocide Against Yazidis
From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Islamic State jihadists may have committed genocide in trying to wipe out the Yazidi minority in Iraq, the UN said Thursday in a report laying out a litany of atrocities:
Turn a Light On: Electricity Sector Reform in Iraq
By Luay Al-Khatteeb and Harry Istepanian, of the Brookings Institution. The need to confront and drive back the forces of the Islamic State (IS, ISIS. ISIL) has pushed long-term reform efforts in Iraq far down the list of priorities. Yet pressing economic reforms – such as restructuring and rebuilding the country’s energy sector – increasingly […]
Belarus, Iraq to Cooperate on Healthcare, Education
By John Lee. On Tuesday, the Head of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Africa and Middle East Department, Igor Leshchenya, had a meeting with the Iraqi Ambassador to Belarus, Haidar Hadi. The sides discussed the whole range of issues, including steps to further strengthen relations between the countries. In particular, they identified possible measures […]