Weekly Security Update for 4th July 2012
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 Groups Iraq statistics are drawn from multiple sources, including media reporting and direct liaison with in country assets. Included within the statistics is a degree activity […]
Switzerland’s ABB wins $120m Power Station Contract
ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won orders worth around $120 million from KAR Construction and Engineering Company Ltd. to design and build a power plant and construct two 400/132 kilovolts (kV) high-voltage substations that will supply power to the Kurdistan region of Northern Iraq. The 640 megawatt (MW) open cycle power […]
Video: Deputy PM Shahristani on Oil Strategy
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for Energy, Hussain Al-Shahristani, talks to CNBC about the oil price, the risk of Iran shutting the Strait of Hormuz, and the possibility of rehabilitating the pipeline from Iraq through Saudi Arabia. (Source: CNBC)
Iraqi Deputy PM Visits Azerbaijan
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Rowsch Nouri Shaways, has led an Iraqi delegation to Azerbaijan. The country's Head of State, President Ilham Aliyev, pointed out Iraq and Azerbaijan have great history of bilateral relations, adding that both countries support each other within international organizations. According to a report from Azerbaijan's Trend news agency, […]
Iraqi Dinar Investments: Opportunity or Scam?
Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers across the United States to be wary when considering any foreign currency investment, particularly the Iraqi dinar. Over the years, BBB complaints nationwide about dinar investments allege a number of scams surrounding the profit potential of dinar currency investments. For this reason, BBB advises consumers looking to buy […]
Weatherford Completes Well #25 at Bazargan
The Missan Oil Company has completed the Bazargan [Bazirgan] oil well #25, which is reported by AIN to have a capacity of 170, 000 barrel per day. Ali Maarij, the Director General of the company said: "The US company Weatherford recently finished digging Bazargan well within Bazargan field ... The well entered the service with […]
Nissan, Kia, May Build Cars in Iraq
The Director General of the Iraqi Automobile Company (State Company for Automotive Industry - SCAI?) has said that the company is in negotiation with the Japanese company Nissan regarding a possible partnership to manufacture Nissan cars in Iraq. According to a report from Aswat al-Iraq, he is also in discussions with Korea's Kia Motors. The […]
Iraq Welcomes Singaporean Businesses
During a three-day visit to Singapore, Hussain Al-Shahristani (pictured), Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister for energy affairs, told Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that Iraq welcomes Singapore companies to seek business opportunities in the country. Channel News Asia says Shahristani also conveyed his appreciation for Singapore's technical assistance to Iraqi officials, while Lee hoped that […]
Iraq Govt to Shut Down for Much of the Summer
Iraq's government may soon shut down for much of the summer, says an article from Associated Press. A proposed law aims to shorten workdays and help public employees avoid soaring temperatures. It will also cut work hours during Ramadan, which this year begins on 20th July, but the law would for the first time legalise […]
US's $51bn Iraq Projects at Risk, Says Inspector
Bloomberg reports that billions of dollars in Iraqi reconstruction projects may be wasted as the U.S. transfers them to the Iraqi government. Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR), Stuart Bowen (pictured), told the US's House Oversight Committee: “There remains a vulnerability that thousands of projects [completed with $51 billion in American reconstruction funds] will […]
Video: US House Oversight Cmte on Transition to Civilian-led Mission
The US House Oversight Committee held a hearing to assess the transition of control in Iraq from a military to a civilian-led mission. Witnesses included: The Honorable Patrick Kennedy, Under Secretary for Management, U.S. Department of State; Mr. Peter Verga, Chief of Staff for the Under Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Defense; The Honorable […]
KRG participates in UN Commission on Status of Women
The KRG will participate in the inauguration ceremony of the United Nations' 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women for the first time, with the participation of more than 190 countries. Dindar Zebari told Iraqi News agency: “The meeting will evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate […]