Iraq in 2011: Protests, Political Problems and Farewell to the US

Another year in Iraq, another slew of tragic suicide bombings and jarring political crises. On the other hand, locals welcomed what economic progress they saw as well as the chance to become masters of their own political destiny, post-US-withdrawal, according to this article from NIQASH. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do […]

Iraq to Buy 3 More Ships from South Korea

Iraq's Transport Ministry said on Monday that it had agreed with the South Korean Doosan company to buy three 17,000 tonne vessels at a cost of $73 million (85 billion IQD), according to AKnews. Samir al-Karkhi, director of Marine Shipping Company, told the news agency that the Ministry of Transport is making efforts to restore […]

2012 MEPI Student Leaders Program

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is pleased to announce that applications are currently being accepted for the 2012 MEPI Student Leaders Program. The program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State and supports the goals of the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, provides opportunities to Iraqi undergraduate students to develop leadership skills and promote […]

Bremerian Miscalculations at the End of a Long War

The following article was published by Reidar Visser, an historian of Iraq educated at the University of Oxford and currently based at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. It is reproduced here with the author’s permission. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. […]

مشاكل الزراعة في العراق.... متى تنتهي؟

مشاكل الزراعة في العراق.... متى تنتهي؟ (ملاحظات في بناء إستراتيجية ناجحة للنهوض بواقع القطاع الزراعي) د. سمير حسن ليلو خبير- باحث علمي e- mail: [email protected] 28-12-2011 منذ تأسيس الدولة العراقية الحديثة عام (1921) والحكومات المتعاقبة تضع في أولوياتها تطوير القطاع الزراعي أنطاقاً من إدراكها لأهمية  هذا القطاع في النهوض بالاقتصاد المستدام وتقدم البلاد، لكن لم […]

Al-Ahdab Oilfield Three-Years Ahead Of Schedule

Capacity at Al-Ahdab oilfield reached 120,000 bpd on Friday, three years ahead of schedule, according to Reuters. The one-billion barrel field in Wassit Province, central Iraq, is being developed by Chinese firm CNPC. The firm started production at 60,000 bpd in summer, six months ahead of schedule and it has doubled it far faster than […]

US To Complete Iraqi Arms Deal

A deal for US fighter jets and tanks will not be stopped by political instability, reports Al Jazeera. The deal is reportedly for USD11bn-worth of weaponry. Since the US pulled out its remaining troops two weeks ago, violence has increased, arrest warrants have been issued against senior politicians opposing prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, and opposing […]

Iraqi Refugees Seek Safer Haven - Back In Iraq

150,000 refugee Iraqi's have returned to Iraq from seemingly more unstable countries, according to AKNews. Iraqi immigration minister Dindar Dosk said that these Iraqis, who escaped from Iraq after the Iraq War began, have now returned since the outbreak of protests in the Arab world over the past year, in particular from Yemen, Libya, Egypt and […]

Halfaya Oil Production Up Five-Fold

Halfaya is not currently the most exciting oil field, but it is growing fast. In less than two years, the large consortium of Chinese, Malaysian and French companies developing it has increased production from 3,000 barrels per day to around 15,000 bpd, with 2,000 bpd of those having just been added with a new well, […]

Iraq Stocks Up 34%

Iraq's stock exchange closed 34% up for the whole of 2011 due to the earliest foreign investors buying into Iraq's growth story. Undeterred by increasing security and political issues, and housing and power shortages, intrepid foreign buyers bought a net USD110m in shares this year in a market currently valued at $4bn. Next year will […]

Iraq Seeks New Supplies For Growing Power Needs

The Iraqi State Oil Marketing Organization has launched a tender to buy 3,400 tons of gasoil per day for 12 months to power electricity generators. In July 2011, Iraq signed a one-year deal with Iran to receive approximately 1,300 tons per day of gasoil to help power the growing needs of a country already short […]