‘Cautious Optimism’ about Iraq’s Future
Real progress had been achieved in replacing Iraq’s ruthless dictatorship with institutions mandated by constitutional principles, which laid the ground for “cautious optimism” about the future, provided that determined national leadership and a stronger spirit of cooperation in the region prevailed, Ad Melkert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General told the Security Council today. Briefing the […]
Iraq Launches System to Safeguard Groundwater
The Government of Iraq reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the ongoing water crisis this month at a national seminar in Baghdad on 3 July 2011, ushering in phase two of the new National Hydrogeological Resources Assessment Network and Database for Iraq, known as geoFIA. This interactive web-based platform will help the Iraqi government to accelerate […]
Eleven Minefields Safely Returned to Communities in Kirkuk
MAG (pronounced “Mag”) – Mines Advisory Group – is a neutral and impartial humanitarian organisation that clears the remnants of conflict for the benefit of communities worldwide. Almost 490,000 square metres of land that was heavily contaminated by landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) has been cleared, and will now be used for farming and […]
The Challenge of Trimming the Cabinet
Credit must go to Nouri al-Maliki for admitting publicly that the number of ministries is a burden on the state. The Prime Minister's proposal to reduce the number in a two-stage process, the first of which will still see 29 ministers retain their positions, seems at first glance to be a move in the right […]
WesternZagros Jumps 9% on Increased Resources
WesternZagros Resources closed the day up 9% on Wednesday following its report of an increase of over 100 per cent in the combined mean estimate of gross unrisked prospective resources on the Company's Kalar-Bawanoor exploration block ("Block K44") to 2,192 million barrels of oil, or 3,570 million barrels of oil equivalent when oil, gas and […]
UK Consultants Win £31m Iraqi Oil Refinery Deal
A £31 million contract – the biggest agreed in nearly two decades of operations – has been landed by consultant process engineers Grimley Smith Associates (GSA), according to the Grimsby Telegraph. The Brigg-based company has been awarded a two-year project to upgrade facilities at an oil refinery in Basra, Iraq. It is with the South […]
Govt Highlights Initiatives for Energy Sector at Iraq Petroleum Conf
The fifth annual Iraq Petroleum conference took place at the Landmark Hotel, London on the on the 12-14 July 2011, focusing on the next phase of Iraq’s oil and gas resource development as well as current and future upstream opportunities. As Rt Lord Howell of Guildford, Minister of State for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth […]
Being a Good Citizen
By Chris Bowers, British Consul General in Erbil. This article was originally published by Rudaw, and is re-published with permission by Iraq Business News. I was delighted to see that a UK consortium, Spectrum C2R, has just won a major contract for waste management in Salahaddin and half of Erbil: an excellent choice and coming […]
Govt Efforts Not Enough to Prevent Diyala Water Crisis
Government efforts to reduce the shortage of irrigation water in Diyala province have proved inadequate, the Ministry of Water Resources said on Wednesday. Spokesperson for the ministry, Ali Hashim, said several wells have been drilled in agricultural areas but these wells are not enough and the Iranian authorities must allow more water to flow down […]
Weekly Security Update for 20th July 2011
Levels of violence fell slightly in Iraq last week, but there were still over 60 separate incidents recorded. Given a slight decline in the number of attacks recorded since July AKE has lowered the security risk rating for the country on Global IntAKE. Violence remains concentrated in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk although attacks were […]
HSBC Nearing Custody Breakthrough?
On June 20, AK News published a cryptic article entitled “Iraq backs global bank’s initiative to encourage investment in stock market.” (See this link.) The Executive Director of the Iraqi Securities Commission (ISC) Abdul Razzaq al-Saadi was reported as saying that the global bank, “HHPT,” had “done the necessary groundwork and pledged to put up […]
French Ambassador Pursues Investment in Najaf
The French ambassador to Iraq visited Najaf on Monday in a move aimed at encouraging French investment in the area. AKnews reports that Denys Gauer (pictured) said in a press conference that he held talks with Najaf governor Adnan al-Zarfi about increasing the French contribution to the reconstruction of the region in the areas of […]