OPEC Delays Talks on New Secretary General
Reuters reports that OPEC has delayed a meeting of officials to help select its new secretary general, putting off delicate talks that could reignite rivalry for influence as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq seek the top post. A panel of officials was initially planned to convene at OPEC's Vienna headquarters during August, but the meeting […]
Iraq, Iran Water Dispute Escalates
Despite increasingly strong links between Iraq and Iran, a disagreement has broken out at ministerial level about Iran's use of water from the Wand River [Wind, Alwand, Hulwan]. According to a report from NINA, Iraq's Trade Minister, Khairallah Babekir [Khayri-allah Babakir, Khairallah Hassan Babiker], has said that he will not sign trade agreement with Iran, […]
Iraq, Reaching Out Internationally
By John Lee. If anyone ever doubted the international nature of business in Iraq, just look at the nationalities making the business news in the past week: Iraqi, Turkish and Italian firms building new bridges; Indonesia selling defence equipment; Kuwait doing a seismic survey at Siba gas field; China opening a new consulate in Erbil; […]
Baghdad to Spend $300m on 15 New Bridges
By John Lee. Baghdad is to build 15 new bridges worth at total of $300 million (360 billion Iraqi dinars), in an attempt to improve traffic in the city. Eng. Talib Nejim al-Maamouri, head of Baghdad's Engineering Department, told Al-Shorfa news agency: "An agreement was reached with 33 Iraqi, Turkish and Italian companies to start […]
Iraq Exempts Citizens from Electricity & Water Charges
By John Lee. The Iraqi government said on Tuesday that it will exempt Iraqi citizens from paying electricity and water bills until all power plant installations are completed and services are provided 24 hours a day. Salam al-Quraishi, Iraqi government's economic advisor, told Al-Shorfa news agency: "The decision was made after a review of the […]
Iraqi Wheat Crop Largest in 30 Years
By John Lee. Iraq's wheat crop is the biggest for 30 years, according to Amer Abdulaziz, Director General of Iraq Grain Board. Despite 'discouraging weather conditions' Iraqi farmers have shipped 1.9 million tons of wheat to government silos, reports Azzaman. Bloomberg quotes planning ministry spokesman Abdul Zahra al-Hindawi as saying that Iraq’s wheat output rose 7 […]
Iraq Eyes Indonesian Defence Products
By John Lee. Indonesia's Defence Minister, Purnomo Yusgiantoro (pictured), said on Wednesday that Iraq has expressed interest in buying Indonesian defence products. The statement came as Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin visits Iraq, in part to consider ways of boosting cooperation in the defense sector. “This visit is strictly bilateral and has nothing to do […]
Zain Iraq's Chief Steps Down
By John Lee. Following delays in its required stock market listing, which resulted in the imposition of fines by Iraq's communications regulator, Zain Iraq has announced key changes in its senior management, starting with the CEO Emad Makiya, who has stepped down from his post on Wednesday: Zain Iraq, an operating company of Kuwait's Mobile […]
Iraqi Farmers Get $1.4bn in Loans
By John Lee. The Iraqi Agriculture Ministry said on Tuesday that it has lent 1.7 trillion Iraqi dinars ($1.4 billion) to farmers since 2008. Iraq is working to reach self-sufficiency in agricultural crops by 2018 after the implementation of an agricultural initiative that began in 2008 to improve the agricultural situation in the country after […]
Weekly Security Update
By Gary Sandiford, Olive Group’s Dubai based assessments manager. Olive Group is a leading provider of security and technology solutions and has operated continuously in Iraq since 2003. Overview Olive Group's Iraq statistics are drawn from multiple sources, including media reporting and direct liaison with in country assets. Included within the statistics are a […]
Iraq Signs Contract with Kuwait Energy for Siba Seismic
By John Lee. Iraq’s Oil Ministry has signed a contract with Kuwait Energy to carry out a seismic survey at the Siba gas field in Basra province. Kuwait Energy and Turkey's TPAO won the Siba contract in October 2010, agreeing to produce 100 million standard cubic feet of gas a day at a price of […]
China to Open Consulate in Erbil
By John Lee. The Chinese Ambassador to Iraq, Mr Ni Jian, met with Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday to explore ways of strengthening ties with the Kurdistan Region. Ambassador Jian presented his credentials to the Iraqi President last year November, and this is his first visit to Kurdistan. In his meeting with Prime Minister Barzani, […]