Canada Hopes for Strong Ties with Kurdistan

The Head of the KRG, Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, recently welcomed the non-resident Canadian Ambassador to Iraq, Bruno Saccomani, to discuss the ways in which both sides can work together more closely. This visit follows a similar visit by the Canadian Ambassador to Kurdistan this past October. The meeting was attended by […]

KRG Welcomes new Dutch Ambassador

The Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, has welcomed the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Jeannette Seppen where they discussed a wide range of issues related to further strengthening ties between both sides. The Assistant Head of DFR, Siham Jabali and the Head of the Dutch Embassy Liaison […]

John Crane Wins Zubair Contract

By John Lee. John Crane, part of Smiths Group, has announced it will supply Italian pump designer Termomeccanica Pompe (TMP) products from across the company’s portfolio for the development of the Zubair Oil Field, one of largest in Iraq. The agreement covers mechanical seals and systems, high-performance couplings and hydrodynamic bearings used in the 24 centrifugal […]

Possible Turkey-Iraq-Kurdistan Oil Deal This Week

By John Lee. Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Kareem Luaibi [Elaibi] (pictured) said on Saturday that he is optimistic Baghdad will soon come to an understanding with Turkey over a contested oil-export agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, he said Turkey understands that it can't enter […]

Oil Exports Down in December

By John Lee. Reuters reports that Iraq's oil exports have fallen so far in December, "capping what has been a disappointing year and highlighting challenges it faces in 2014 in achieving significant production growth". Exports from Iraq's southern terminals averaged 2.01 million barrels per day (bpd) so far in December, according to shipping data tracked […]

Australian Oil-for-Food Case Dropped

By John Lee. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has today discontinued its proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria against Charles Stott and Michael Long for alleged breaches of their duties as officers of AWB Limited -- formerly the Australian Wheat Board -- in connection with the United Nations Oil for Food Programme in […]

KRG Outlines Oil Resources at Energy Forum

KRG Representative to Poland outlines Kurdistan’s oil resources at 8th Energy Forum Ziyad Raoof, the Kurdistan Regional Government Representative to Poland, highlighted Kurdistan’s oil and gas potential at the 8th Energy Forum, a landmark annual international conference. The Energy Forum is the biggest conference in Poland and one of the biggest in Europe devoted to […]

Govt OKs Kuipers $256m Ship Order

The Iraqi government has reportedly approved a $256-million submission from Dutch shipbuilder Kuipers to supply it with eight cargo ships. The eight vessels, comprising three 55,000 dwt bulkers, three 1,200 teu container carriers, and two 18,000 dwt multi-purpose vessels, are due for delivery two years from the date of signature of a final contract. According […]

Iraq Bond Issue Shelved Again

The recent surge in sectarian violence has sent Iraq's bond yields higher, prompting officials to postpone a planned debt sale. Deputy Finance Minister Fadhel Nabi told Bloomberg: “We will definitely issue new bonds, but it will take more time now with all the problems in the country.” The news agency also reports that the yield […]

World Bank Approves $335m Road Fund

From The World Bank. A new project will reduce traffic fatalities by nearly 25 percent on two transport corridors connecting Iraq to its northern, southern and western neighbors and beyond. The US$355 million Iraq Transport Corridors Project, approved by the World Bank Board of Directors on Thursday, will improve road quality and safety and promote […]