Trump names Tom Barrack as Special Envoy to Iraq
By John Lee. Tom Barrack, the United States Ambassador to Türkiye, has been appointed Special Presidential Envoy to both Syria and Iraq, while retaining his ambassadorial post in Ankara. The appointment was announced on Truth Social by President Donald Trump, who said Barrack would operate with the full backing of the US Department of State […]
Iraq "Imports $3bn in Plastic Annually" as Ban, Tax Plan Moves Forward
From Rudaw. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq imports $3B in plastic annually as ban, tax plan moves forward The Iraqi Ministry of Environment said late Friday that Iraq imports about $3 billion worth of plastic products annually and remains behind […]
"Anger and Opportunity" Foreign Workers in Karbala
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Anger and Opportunity in Karbala as Foreign Workers Slip into Labor Market Renowned for its annual pilgrimages, and home to the resting sites of several Shiite religious figures, Karbala has long been a […]
New KRI Aggregation Hub Boosts Farmer Incomes by 48%
By John Lee. A new agricultural facility in Dohuk is enabling refugee, displaced and host community farmers in Iraq's Kurdistan Region to sell directly to formal retailers for the first time, with early results showing produce selling out within 24 hours and farmers earning up to 48% more per kilogram than through traditional wholesale channels. […]
Two Months for Iraq and Turkey to reach Pipeline Deal
From Arabian Gulf Business Insight (AGBI). Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Two months left for Iraq and Turkey to reach pipeline deal Iraq is suffering a steep drop in its oil exports due to the near-closure of the Strait of […]
Possible New Ministry as Iraq grapples with PMU Reform
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Talk of new ministry emerges as Iraq grapples with PMU reform Shortly after winning a contentious confidence vote in parliament on May 14, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi told lawmakers that his government […]
New Financial and Economic City Planned near Baghdad Airport
By John Lee. According to the National Investment Commission (NIC), a new financial and economic city is planned for land adjacent to Baghdad International Airport, with all infrastructure costs to be met by private investors rather than the state. The NIC confirmed that the land in question is state-owned, with ownership legally divided between the […]
Integrity Commission Foils $1.1bn Bank Fraud in Baghdad
By John Lee. Iraq's Federal Commission of Integrity has disrupted an attempt to fraudulently obtain nearly IQD 1.5 trillion (USD 1.1 billion) from two state-owned banks in Baghdad. A field team from the commission's Baghdad Investigations Directorate, working in coordination with judicial authorities, apprehended three suspects at the headquarters of Rafidain Bank. The suspects were […]
Sadr Orders Militia to Join Iraq's State Security Structure
By John Lee. Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr announced on Wednesday the complete separation of his Saraya al-Salam [Peace Brigades] militia from his National Shiite Movement and its full integration into Iraq's state armed forces, saying the move was motivated by "public interest" and the need to avoid dangers facing the country. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi […]
Iraq-Turkey Pipeline Contract to be Negotiated
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Oil has been authorised to negotiate a long-term agreement with Turkey governing the Iraq-Turkey pipeline (ITP), according to a cabinet decision. The Council of Ministers approved an amendment to Resolution 254 of 2026, extending the pipeline contract for four months. Under the amended resolution, the Ministry of Oil is […]
Construction Starts at New Kufa Bridge Project
By John Lee. Construction has begun on the Fifth Kufa Bridge in Najaf province, according to the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Public Municipalities. The project is intended to ease traffic congestion in the province. The Roads and Bridges Directorate is overseeing works, which include: A main bridge spanning the Euphrates river, 337 metres long […]
Babylon Cement Plant Raises Oil-Well Cement Output
By John Lee. The General Company for Iraqi Cement, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, has reported a significant increase in the production of oil-well cement grades B and G at its Babylon [Babil] plant in February. According to the company, the plant produced 3,240 tonnes during February, a substantial rise compared […]