Arab League Confirms Iraq Hosts Next Summit
The Undersecretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed bin Helli, has confirmed that Iraq will host the next Arab League summit — the country's first in 20 years. Associated Press reports that Arab League Secretary-General, Amr Moussa, will travel to Baghdad on Saturday to discuss preparations for the meeting. Bin Helli told reporters on Wednesday […]
US Sanctions Hamper Iraq Power Imports from Iran
Due to US sanctions, Iraq has been unable to pay Iran millions of dollars owed for electricity, an Iraqi official said, potentially damaging its efforts to supply enough power to a population suffering chronic shortages. According to the report from Reuters, Adel Mahdi, an adviser to the electricity ministry, said on Wednesday that Iraq imports […]
Zebari Heads Committee to Protect Iraqi Funds Abroad
A senior Finance Ministry official said on Wednesday that Iraq's Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, will head a governmental committee developing mechanisms to protect Iraqi funds deposited in foreign banks after the UN Security Council resolution to withdraw its protection of those funds at the end of June. Diya Khayyoun, the Undersecretary of the Finance Ministry, […]
Weekly Security Update for 5th January 2011
Overview Last week saw a rise in the number of attacks taking place in Iraq. Militant activity was concentrated in the centre of the country and in the northern city of Mosul. There were at least three suicide bombings in Anbar and Ninawa provinces while a Kurdish civilian was reportedly kidnapped in Kirkuk. As warned […]
Shell to Build Private Dock on Shatt al-Arab
Royal Dutch Shell may build its own dock in Iraq's Shatt al-Arab waterway to speed up delivery of heavy equipment to its supergiant Majnoon oilfield, according to a report from Reuters. The head of the General Company of Iraqi Ports, Salah Kudhair, told the agency that it had given initial approval to a proposal from […]
France Wins $52m Power Distribution Contract in Basra
Iraq signed deals worth $52 million with France's Schneider Electric and Areva to build 15 power distribution stations in the southern oil hub of Basra, the province's deputy governor, Ahmed Hameed, said on Sunday. Schneider Electric, has won a $29 million contract to build eight distribution stations, while Areva was awarded a $23 million deal […]
Iraq and Jordan Agree to New Oil Pipeline
Iraqi State Minister, Ali al-Dabbagh, said Iraq agreed to build pipelines across its shared border with Jordan to increase supplies of oil to its western neighbour, according to a report from Bloomberg. The countries also agreed to discuss development of the Risha natural-gas field along their common border, the minister told a news conference in […]
Fourth Bidding Round for 12 Iraqi Gas Fields
Iraq is considering holding a fourth bidding round for international energy firms interested in gas exploration contracts, government officials said on Sunday. Iraq will initially offer 12 exploration blocs, Oil Minister Abdul Kareem Luaibi [Elaibi] told reporters. According to both Reuters and Associated Press, the minister did not give further details, but Abdul-Mahdy al-Ameedi, head […]
Kuwaiti Governor Discusses Opportunities in Karbala
The Governor of the Kuwaiti Capital, Sheikh Ali Al-Jaber, visited soutwestern Iraq’s holy city of Karbala on Sunday to discuss the implementation of several investment projects in the Province, its Governor, Amaluddin al-Hir, said on Sunday. “We have conferred with a Kuwaiti Delegation, who visited Karbala, under leadership of the Kuwaiti Capital’s Governor, Sheikh Ali […]
Iraqi Oil Ministry Denies Burning Oil Contracts
The Iraqi Oil Ministry denied that the fire that broke out in one of the floors of the oil ministry building last Thursday, caused the destruction of documents related to oil contracts, according to a report from AKnews. Initial investigations indicate that the cause of the fire was an electrical defect. The Oil Minister, Abdul-Karim […]
Saudi company wins KBR Ruling Over Work in Iraq
Tamimi Global Co. has won a $35 million arbitration award in London against Houston-based KBR for work it says it did in Iraq, according to court documents filed in Houston. The Houston Chronicle reports that Tamimi, based in Saudi Arabia, worked as a subcontractor for KBR, providing dining and food services for U.S. troops. The […]
Useful Primer on the Iraqi Cabinet
GE has produced a rather useful primer on the latest Iraqi cabinet and Council of Representatives. Please click here to download a copy.