Uncertainty about Changes to Electoral System
By Reidar Visser. The following article was published by Reidar Visser, an historian of Iraq educated at the University of Oxford and currently based at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. It is reproduced here with the author’s permission. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. After the […]
Big Oil to spend $25bn in Iraq Next Year
By John Lee. Iraq's deputy prime minister for energy, Hussain al-Shahristani (pictured), has said that 'Big Oil' is about to spend over $25 billion next year to boost oil output towards record levels. He predicted that the southern fields are expected to pump an extra 500,000 bpd in 2014, compared to just over 3 million […]
2,500 Homes for Terror Victims
By John Lee. The Iraqi government has said that construction has begun on a cabinet-approved project to build 2,500 houses for the victims of terrorism. Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq said: "The project, which the industry, housing and construction ministries began last week, is an initial phase and includes Baghdad, Wasit, Babil and Anbar provinces." The […]
Post Office Opportunities Throughout Iraq
By John Lee. The Ministry of Telecommunications, in coordination with the National Investment Commission (NIC) has announced an opportunity for Iraqi and foreign investors to invest the lands belonging to the Ministry, the details of which are outlined below. The offer is made in accordance with investment law No. 13 (2006) as amended, and its […]
Karbala’s Faith-Funded Businesses Threaten Smaller Firms
By Abbas Sarhan. 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. In Karbala religion is big business. But for some time now, the religious authorities there have been moving into businesses other than faith - such as […]
1,200 new School Buildings for Basra
By John Lee. Azzaman reports that Basra province is building 1,200 new schools, most of them in suburban towns and villages. The provincial council called it “a strategic project” that will providen modern prefab schools across the province. The new schools are to include laboratories, play grounds and sports facilities. (Source: Azzaman)
BP Visits 'Flashpoint' Kirkuk Oilfield
By John Lee. Reuters reports that Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Kareem Luaibi [Elaibi] and BP CEO Bob Dudley (pictured) paid a visit to Kirkuk on Wednesday to win over the local government before the company starts work on this controversial northern oilfield that straddles the border with autonomous Kurdistan. Baghdad signed a deal in early […]
Border Smuggling Rises In Iranian Kurdistan
By Fazel Hawramy for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Mohammad Karimi was driving his car between two towns in the mountainous region of western Iran on an evening in early October. The vehicle was laden with satellite dishes, illegal under […]
Al-Qaeda Ups Mafia-Style Extortion in Mosul
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. Making Themselves at Home: al Qaeda Ups Mafia-Style Extortion in Mosul The northern Iraqi city of Mosul is well known as the base of Sunni Muslim extremists, Al Qaeda, […]
US Announces 2014 Fulbright Scholarships
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is pleased to announce the open application period for the 2014 Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. In support of the U.S.–Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, this program will provide 35 Iraqi scholars the opportunity to spend 10 weeks at a U.S. university for faculty development, mentoring, and cultural exchange activities. The application […]
Proposed Personal Status Law will Not Help Jaafaris
By Salem Radwan al-Mousawi for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi Justice Minister Hassan al-Shammari recently prepared a new draft law regarding Jaafari [Shiite] personal status and Jaafari jurisprudence. He then submitted the law to the Council of Ministers, so that […]
Marathon Finds Oil and Gas at Mirawa
By John Lee. Marathon Oil Corporation has announced that the Mirawa-1 exploration well has discovered multiple stacked oil and natural gas producing zones on the Company's operated Harir Block in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Erbil, the Mirawa-1 well was drilled to a total depth of approximately 14,000 feet. […]