Iraq Regulates Scrap Metal and Military Equipment Disposal
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has established new regulations for handling scrap metal, military surplus, and industrial waste. Key directives include: Free Transfers: Ministries of Defence, Interior, and other security agencies will transfer decommissioned equipment, empty ammunition casings, and military-grade scrap metal to the Military Industrialisation Authority without charge. Brass Transfers: All ministries and […]
UNHCR publishes latest Baghdad Field Office Factsheet
By John Lee. UNHCR Iraq has published its latest Baghdad Field Office factsheet. According to the overview: "UNHCR's Baghdad Field Office covers 13 governorates located in Federal Iraq, including Anbar, Babylon, Baghdad, Diyala, Karbala, Najaf, Salah Al-Din and Wassit, located in the centre of the country, as well as Basrah, Diwaniya, Maysan, AlMuthanna, and Thi […]
Iraq Approves $4.5bn Basra-Haditha Oil Pipeline
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Oil's proposal for the construction of the Basra-Haditha oil pipeline, with a capacity of 2.25 million barrels per day. Key decisions include: Contract Approval: Endorsed a 5.97225 trillion dinar [$4.5 billion] contract between Basra Oil Company (BOC) and State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP), […]
New Contractor Approved for Iraq's Karbala Refinery
By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has approved a one-year, renewable contract between the Ministry of Oil's Midland Refineries Company (MRC) and Rawad Al-Qimmah Company [Rowwad-Elqemma Company], as part of the operational plan for the Karbala Refinery. The contract, valued at $180 million annually, covers operations, laboratories, maintenance, safety, and staff training for gradual refinery […]
Finally, Iraq Launches National Development Plan (NDP) 2024-2028
By John Lee. Iraq's National Development Plan (NDP) 2024-2028 has finally been released. The plan was a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Iraq's Ministry of Planning with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Launched (sic) to great fanfare back in August, the plan has been kept […]
CBI Reports Strong Financial Growth; Iraq Gold Reserves Up 57%
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has announced positive financial indicators for Q3 2024, highlighting the success of its monetary policy during the year: Banking Sector Growth (Q3 2024 vs. Q3 2023) Total Deposits in Banks Growth: 4.2% Q3 2024 Value: 127.6 trillion dinars. Q3 2023 Value: 122.4 trillion dinars. Cash Credit […]
Development Road Project to be Presented to Int'l Companies
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhibis Al-Saadawi, has announced progress on the Development Road Project, emphasizing that following the completion of detailed designs, the project will be presented to major international companies for investment opportunities. Key Progress Milestones: Completion of Preliminary Designs: The Ministry has finalized 100% of the preliminary designs for […]
Baghdad opens first General Hospital in nearly 40 years
By John Lee. Baghdad's first general hospital in nearly 40 years, Al-Shaab General Hospital, was been inaugurated on Saturday by Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani. The 246-bed facility, a long-stalled project now completed under a joint management model, is equipped with modern infrastructure, advanced medical equipment, and comprehensive healthcare services. During the opening ceremony, the […]
Comprehensive Plan to Modernise Iraq's Railway System
By John Lee. Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhibis Al-Saadawi, announced a detailed strategy to revitalize Iraq's railway network, emphasizing the ministry's commitment to restoring and upgrading its infrastructure. Key Developments in Iraq's Railway Network: Reopened Lines After Long-Term Closures: Baghdad-Fallujah Line: Reopened after a 5-year suspension. Silo Al-Sharqat Line (Mosul): Reopened after 30 years of […]
Iran to Establish Science and Technology Parks in Iraq
By John Lee. The Iranian Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, Hussein Simayi Sarraf, has reportedly expressed Iran's readiness to collaborate with Iraq in establishing joint science and technology parks, following a request from Iraqi higher education officials to benefit from Iran's expertise in this field. According to Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). […]
Video: Tabaqchali on Iraqi Markets, AI, and Cryptocurrency
By John Lee. In a new video from AI4Iraq, Ahmed Tabaqchalli, Chief Strategist at AFC Iraq Fund, discusses the progress of capital markets in Iraq, the impact of artificial intelligence and the future of crypto currency. AI4Iraq is a non-profit organisation with roots in Iraq, Lebanon and Hong Kong. According to its website: "We are […]
Iraqi Airways launches Direct Flights to Sharjah
By John Lee. Iraqi Airways has officially added Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as a new destination. The inaugural flight from Baghdad International Airport to Sharjah International Airport took off on Thursday, marking the start of regular service. There will be three flights per week, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. (Source: Ministry of […]