The French Connections
While Turkey is undoubtedly the country with the most companies operating in Iraq -- 270 of them, according to this recent report -- it is France that clearly takes the prize for the most active of Iraq's non-bordering countries. Iraq's National Investment Commission (NIC) says there are 123 French companies with operations in the country, […]
$10 Billion Sadr City Re-Development
Azzaman reports that the Iraqi government has earmarked $10 billion for the redevelopment of the low-income township, Sadr City, in Baghdad. The project, which will take 10 years to be completed is one of the largest housing schemes in the Middle East, according to Baghdad Mayor Saber al-Aysawi. Aysawi said the huge project will solve […]
Iraq Expects 10% Growth Next Year
An adviser to the Iraqi Central Bank said on Wednesday that the 2011 budget will result in economic growth of 10%. Muzher Mohammed told AKnews that the 2011 budget in its present state is one of the best Iraqi budgets since 2003 as it will increase the country's economic output by 10%, and it will […]
Oil Output at Zubair Reaches First Target
Eni SpA and its partners, Missan Oil Company, Occidental Petroleum, and Korea Gas Corp (KOGAS), have reached a key production target at Iraq's Zubair oil field. Production at the field near the city of Basra has increased to 201,000 barrels a day from 183,000 when Eni and its partners took over management of the field […]
New Kurdistan Representative Office in Spain
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) last week inaugurated a new representation office in Spain. Mr Daban Shadala, the KRG’s Representative, hosted the inauguration at the new office in central Madrid. Mr Shadala welcomed guests including Dr Ziyad Khalid, Iraq’s Ambassador to Spain, Spain’s Honorary Consul in the Kurdistan Region, representatives from the autonomous regions of […]
Najaf Gets $40m for Generators
Najaf's provincial council confirmed that it has been given final approval to get a loan of ID 47 Billion [$40m] for the province to buy new electricity generators to be run by Najaf's citizens. A source in the province told the National Media Center that generators will be distributed to jobless citizens with guaranties to […]
170 Projects Worth $73m in Missan in 2010
A total of 170 projects have been implemented in Maysan [Missan] at a cost of 85 billion dinars [$73m] during 2010, according to a director of the financial department of the Maysan Council. “Missan has implemented 170 projects in the public sector, health and education sectors at a cost of 85.520 billion dinars,” Abd Ali […]
France to Open Consulate in Anbar
The French ambassador to Baghdad, Boris Bouillon (pictured), has met the governor of Anbar and the chairman of its council to discuss ways of enhancing trade and investment in the region, expressing France’s willingness to open a consulate in the province. The French ambassador, heading a delegation of French businessmen, described his visit to Anbar […]
Kurdish Refinery to Start Selling Petrol
The first of three new refineries in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan is expected to start selling petrol for the first time next week. The 98-octane gasoline will be sold to petrol stations in the semi-autonomous region, Ali Hussein Ballo, a consultant at the natural resources ministry said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg. The Khabat refinery, […]
The Reformation of Iraq’s Foreign Relations: New Elites and Enduring Legacies
Iraq has not enjoyed regular foreign relations since 2003, and arguably for several years before, argues Gareth Stansfield in a report for Chatham House. Looking ahead, Iraq is now in a position to develop its foreign relations fully, yet how these relations will be constructed remains unclear. As with all states, Iraq's foreign policy remains […]
Permission for 792 New Apartments in Muthanna
An Iraqi company has won an investment license to build a residential compound in Muthanna, an official of the Muthanna Investment Commission said on Wednesday. “The MIC has granted an investment license to an Iraqi company to build a compound, consisting of 792 apartments, in Muthanna on an area of 65 donums [16 hectares]”, Ali […]
Weekly Security Update for 8th Dec 2010
North Last week saw violence concentrated in Mosul, although attacks were also recorded in Tal ‘Afar, Kirkuk, Hawijah and Riyadh. Civilians and the Iraqi security forces bore the brunt, but with eight recorded fatalities the week was less bloody than normal for what is otherwise one of the most hostile parts of the country. In […]