GDP to Shrink this year, then Recover
By John Lee. A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that the Iraqi economy will contract this year due to continuing war against the Islamic State. In its October World Economic Outlook, it says that Iraq's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to shrink by 2.66 percent this year, down from […]
New Housing Project starts in Maysan
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister for Reconstruction and Housing, Tariq al-Khikani (pictured), has laid the corner stone for a housing complex in Maysan [Missan]. According to a report from Aswat al-Iraq, the housing complex comprises of 708 housing units with a total value of 187 billion Iraqi dinars [$160 million]. (Source: Aswat al-Iraq)
No Exit for Iraq Without Decentralization
By Mushreq Abbas for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. One cannot say that the denial of the decentralization principle by Iraq’s political circle, as a philosophy upon which the Iraqi constitution is based, led to all of the political and security failures that Iraq […]
Video: Iraq wants Sunni Factions to Fight IS
From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. More than two months have passed since the US-led coalition began targeting ISIL in Iraq. There have been some tactical successes but the group has not been defeated. The Iraqi government is now […]
Weekly Security Update, 30 September - 06 October 2014
By Anne-Laure Barbosa at Constellis Consulting ISIS’s military strategy continued to defy airstrikes conducted by the US and their allies, with militants gaining ground in Anbar and launching successful assaults on towns to the north of Baghdad. The security situation continued to complement stagnating political dynamics in Baghdad, with disagreements opposing moderates and conservative elements judging […]
Transparency in Iraq’s Extractive Industry at a Crossroads
Transparency Governance in Iraq’s Extractive Industry at a Crossroads by Ahmed Mousa Jiyad, Iraq/ Development Consultancy and Research, Phone: (+47) 5659 5699 Email: [email protected] Iraq has done rather well by joining and acquiring compliance status with Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI). Significant aspects of transparency are observed; vital entities created and annual reports delivered. Yet, […]
Baghdad Mayor Encourages French Participation
By John Lee. The Mayor of Baghdad, Na'eem al-Ka'bi [Abub Naim al-Kaabi], has called on French companies to increase their participation in the capital's reconstruction projects, reports Aswat Al Iraq. In a meeting with the French ambassador to Baghdad, Mayor Ka'bi promised to provide all possible assistance to the French companies, and said that a […]
Yazidi MP Wins Anna Politkovskaya Award
By John Lee. RAW in WAR (Reach All Women in WAR) has honoured Vian Dakhil (pictured), a Yazidi member of the Iraqi Parliament, with the 2014 Anna Politkovskaya Award for her courage to speak out and to give a voice to the many Yazidi and Iraqi women and girls whose voices cannot be heard. Vian […]
Video: Fmr US Ambassador on ISIS
From CNN. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. VP Joe Biden wasn't wrong, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia need to do more to fight ISIS, says Christopher Hill:
Video: From Female Teacher to ISIS Member
From CNN. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. How 'Khadija' went from a schoolteacher to an ISIS member. Her interview with CNN is the first time she has ever told anyone her story:
Petroceltic Shares Surge on Possible Offer
By John Lee. Shares in Irish-based Petroceltic International have risen more than 20 percent on Monday following the announcement of that the company is in detailed discussions regarding a possible offer to be made by Dragon Oil. With the support of the Board and management team of Petroceltic, Dragon Oil has completed an extensive confirmatory […]
Gazprom 'Forced to Quit Halabja Block'
By John Lee. Rudaw reports that Russia's Gazprom Neft has been forced to halt operations at its Halabja block following demonstrations by hundreds of protestors from 34 villages around the town of Darbandikhan. According to the report, the protesters have given the oil company until 20th October to stop all exploration activity, claiming that “scientific […]