Video: Scramble for Iraq's Oil Wealth
A new oil rush is taking place in Iraq. The country is emerging as a new oasis of opportunity, while the rest of the world struggles to emerge from the global financial crisis. And as Al Jazeera's Jane Arraf reports from Baghdad, it is not just oil that is attracting hungry foreign companies: (Source: Al […]
No Licence Required: Lawless Roads, Helpless Police
By Abdul-Muhaymen Basel. 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. Driver licensing in Ninawa is slow – so slow that unlicensed locals drive fearlessly and police don’t care. But if drivers cross the state line, they […]
Conference on Countering Antiquities Trafficking in Iraq
A delegation of nine American specialists in the fields of federal law enforcement, justice, and cultural heritage protection visited Baghdad from December 17 to 20, 2012, to attend a conference on Countering Antiquities Trafficking. At the conference the delegation trained Iraqi Ministry of Interior police investigators representing 15 provinces on methods of identifying Iraqi cultural […]
UNAMI and UN Women Support Female Parliamentarians
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and UN Women have just concluded a two-day workshop on negotiation and mediation for women members of the Kurdistan Parliament. The workshop, co-organized by the Kurdish Assembly, brought together lawmakers committed to expanding the meaningful role of women in negotiation and mediation processes. “Having women in key […]
Private Bank SME Lending Tops $224m
More than $224 million has been injected into Iraq’s private sector economy in the form of Small & Medium Enterprise bank loans thanks to a cooperative effort between the USAID-Tijara Provincial Economic Growth Program and 12 private commercial banks. Of this amount, around $113 million presently is in circulation helping business owners expand their companies […]
Video: Iraq's Royal History Under Spotlight
More than 50 years since the revolution that removed Iraq's monarchy, many people are now learning more about the country's royal history. The governor of Baghdad has even suggested that the government should apologise for the murder of the king and his family. As Iraqis are finally facing that part of their history, many flocking […]
Look At ‘Little Iraq’ Shows Why Iraq Is So Troubled
By Christine van den Toorn. 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. One of the most peaceful towns in Iraq, near one of the most dangerous cities in Iraq, is under threat. Bashiqa is in danger […]
UN Rep on Human Rights in Iraq
Speech of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General at the MOHR Conference, National Centre for Human Rights, Baghdad 19 December 2012. Minister for Human Rights, Engineer Shiya Al Sudaani, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honoured to be here with you today for the publication of the Ministry of Human Rights’ report on implementation […]
Bulgaria to Open Iraqi Embassy in January
By John Lee. Bulgaria has pledged to open an embassy in Iraq in January, according to a report from Novinite. In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, senior Iraqi parlamentarian Humam Hamoudi said that Iraq and Bulgaria need to boost bilateral relations. He added: "Iraq is very interested in Bulgaria's experience in the health sector, […]
Iraq Boosts Gold Reserves
By John Lee. Iraq made its first major move in years to boost its gold reserves, joining central banks from emerging market economies such as Brazil and Russia in diversifying its foreign reserves. According to a report from the Lebanese Daily Star, central bank purchases have been one of the biggest drivers of gold's rally […]
Iraq Gets 2 New Navy Ships
The United States Navy delivered two 60-meter Offshore Support Vessels to Iraq on December 20, 2012, in Umm Qasr, Iraq. Vice Admiral Ali Hussein Ali, Head of the Iraqi Navy, hosted a delivery ceremony that was attended by officials from the Government of Iraq, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and U.S. Consulate General in Basrah. […]
Video: Thousands Protest Govt 'Sectarianism'
Thousands of Iraqis have taken to the streets of al-Anbar province to demand the release of the finance minister's bodyguards. The men were arrested on Thursday on so-called "terror charges". Protesters say its another example of the government's sectarian policies. Al Jazeera's Omar al-Saleh reports: (Source: Al Jazeera)