New Cement Plant Opened near Erbil
By John Lee. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, opened the new Dabin [Dabeen] Cement Factory and Power Station on Monday. The plant, near Safeen Mountain in Erbil Governorate, has a capacity of 2.1 million tons of cement annually, and can output 52 MW of electricity. It has created more than […]
Iraq's Ports Generate $240m in Q1 2025
By John Lee. Iraq's ports have recorded strong financial performance in the first quarter of 2025, generating total revenues exceeding 314 billion Iraqi dinars [$240 million], according to Dr Eng. Farhan Al-Fartousi, Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI). Monthly revenues were as follows: January: 109.27 billion dinars February: 98.74 billion […]
HKN Energy, ONEX launch JV for Miran Gas Field Development
By John Lee. HKN Energy and ONEX Group have signed a binding term sheet with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to develop the Miran gas field through their new joint venture, Miran Energy. Located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Miran gas field is estimated to contain 8 trillion standard cubic feet (scf) of […]
WesternZagros acquires Topkhana Block in Iraqi Kurdistan
By John Lee. WesternZagros, a privately owned US exploration and production company, has announced its acquisition of the Topkhana block in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The acquisition is seen as a strategic milestone in enhancing the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) energy security and electricity provision plans. The company says that when developed alongside its […]
IMF publishes Iraq Recommendations
By John Lee. A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded a visit with Iraqi officials, concluding: Economic Challenges: Iraq faces a highly uncertain global environment, declining oil prices, and acute financing pressures, which are harming economic activity and deepening existing vulnerabilities. Urgent Measures Needed: Contain the fiscal deficit by increasing non-oil tax […]
Iraq Signs Contract for Vertical Residential Complex
By John Lee. The National Investment Commission (NIC) has signed an investment contract with Al-Ramla for the development of a fully serviced vertical residential complex. The project will feature up to 3,840 housing units, a five-star commercial hotel, a shopping center, a business hub, and various integrated services, aiming to provide modern housing solutions and […]
Iraq, Nokia Explore Partnership on Digital Transformation and 5G
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met on Monday with Ms. Anu Saarela, Ambassador of Finland to Iraq, and a delegation of executive directors from Nokia, the Finnish telecommunications and IT company. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in information technology and advanced digital infrastructure. The Nokia team outlined its plans to support Iraq's […]
Baghdad Film Foundation Partners with 1001
By John Lee. At the Cannes Film Festival 2025, the Baghdad Film Institute (BFI) announced a strategic partnership with 1001 Media, Iraq's leading digital streaming platform. This collaboration aims to foster the growth of the film industry, build an integrated production system, enhance regional and international networking among filmmakers, and expand the reach of Iraqi […]
Kia overtakes Toyota as Top-Selling Car Brand in Iraq
By John Lee. Vehicle sales in Iraq have reportedly risen 24.1 percent year-on-year, for the first quarter 2025. According to a report from Focus 2 Move, South Korea's Kia overtook Japan's Toyota to become the top-selling manufacturer in Iraq, with MG of China coming in third place. The biggest selling individual model was the Toyota […]
Internet Cut Off for 2 Hours for Exams
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Communications has said that internet services throughout the country were cut off for two hours on Monday during the general exams for middle school students. It said the cut, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., was "based on higher directives and at the request of the Ministry of Education." […]
UK Firm secures O&M Contract for Maysan Power Plant
By John Lee. Scottish-based EthosEnergy has been awarded a multimillion-dollar Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract for the Maisan [Maysan, Missan] Combined Cycle Power Plant near Basra. The three-year contract, EthosEnergy's first comprehensive third-party Care, Custody and Control agreement in the Middle East, covers operations, inspections, and maintenance of the 850 MW facility. The power plant, operated […]
Iraq Launches New Oil Services Centre in Basra
By John Lee. The Iraqi Centre for Oil Services, a strategic partnership between Basra Oil Company (BOC), the Arab Well Logging and Oil Services Company (AWLCO), and Gilgamesh Oil Services, has been inaugurated by Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul Ghani. Speaking at the event, he highlighted the centre as a milestone in Iraq's oil industry, […]