US "Holds 80,000 Iraqi Antiquities"
By John Lee. Azzaman quotes a senior official at the Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism as saying that the United States still keeps 80,000 ancient Iraqi artifacts and refuses to return them to the Iraq Museum. Hazem al-Shammari said Iraqi authorities were in touch with their American counterparts but the discussion have so far led […]
Suicide Bomber Assassinates Sunni MP
A suicide bomber has assassinated a Sunni MP in Fallujah on Tuesday. Ayfan Sadoun al-Essawi [Ifan Saadoun], a member of the secular Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc, was targeted as he inspected a road being constructed to the south of the city. Two of the MP's bodyguards were killed and four other people wounded. The attack comes […]
CBI Expects 9% Growth, Reserves of $105-$110bn
By John Lee. The Acting Central Bank Governor, Abdul-Basit Turki, has told Reuters that Iraq’s economy should grow 9 percent this year, as it increases its oil production. He also predicted international currency reserves of between $105 billion and $110 billion by the end of this year. Central Bank predictions for last year were for […]
AnaeCo, Repindo, sign MOU for Basra Waste Project
AnaeCo and Repindo Resources have signed a MOU to cooperatively explore the implementation of AnaeCo’s DiCOM™ Alternative Waste Technology (AWT) at a suitable site in Basra. Under the terms of the MOU the parties will consider the technical and commercial feasibility of deploying AnaeCo’s patented DiCOM™ solution, under licence in Basra. AnaeCo would manage the […]
Foreign Minister Receives United Nation's Kobler
By John Lee. Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has met with Mr. Martin Kobler, Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNAMI) in Iraq. During the meeting they discussed the mandate of the UN Mission in Iraq and its role in helping Iraq, and the role of the Mission to assist in the upcoming electoral […]
Video: US "Divided Iraqis on Sectarian Lines"
From Iran’s PressTV. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. A political analyst tells Iran's PressTV that the US divided Iraqi society on ethnic lines and promoted a sectarian-based political culture in the region. The comments came after tens of thousands of Iraqis […]
WHO Attaining Universal Coverage
The World Health Organization (WHO) completed the first step of assessing alternate means of health financing in Iraq based on social health protection. Health financing is a key area identified for modernization of the health sector in Iraq. The Government has expressed a willingness to engage in a dialogue with the aim of making the […]
"Rocky Road Ahead" for Asiacell IPO
By John Lee. Doubts have been expressed regarding Asiacell's ability to raise the record $1.27 billion planned in its forthcoming IPO (initial public offering). According to a report from International Financing Review, observers are said there is a strong possibility the deal may not go through. "The thing about these three Iraqi mobile companies is […]
WesternZagros Awards Contract for 2 High-Spec Rigs
By John Lee. WesternZagros Resources has awarded a contract for two 2,000 horse-power drilling rigs with a leading North American drilling contractor. The two rigs have been contracted to drill the Hasira-1 well, the Baram-1 well and subsequent wells on the Company's Garmian Block in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The drilling services contract was […]
Iraq Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with S. Korea
By John Lee. The Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC), Dr. Sami al-Araji, has signed a strategic memorandum of cooperation with the chairman of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), O Young Hu [Young Ho Oh], to increase investment and trade between the countries. During his speech, Dr al-Araji reviewed the investment opportunities available […]
Foreign Minister Meets Chinese Ambassador
By John Lee. Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has met with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Ni Jian. The two sides discussed the developing relations between the countries and ways of enhancing them . The Minister conveyed a letter from the Iraqi government to the Chinese Ambassador about the ongoing deliberations at the […]
A Barrel Full of Silver Balls, and the Elections
When Iraqis arrive to vote in Governorate Council Elections on 20 April, they will receive ballot papers that list coalitions and political entities by name, by symbol, and by number. In this way, voters will have three different options to identify their choice of candidate. This 3-way identification system is a common practice in many […]