Iraq Rethinks Bank Merger Plans
By John Lee. Iraq's Cabinet has revised an earlier decision to merge its Agricultural, Industrial and Real Estate Banks. At the start of 2024, the Cabinet approved a contract with UK-based professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY) to study the merger of Industrial Bank, Real Estate Bank, and Agricultural Bank [Agricultural Cooperative Bank?] into […]
$3m allocated to Upgrade Iraqi Stock Exchange
By John Lee. As part of its financial reform efforts, Iraq's Cabinet has approved the allocation of 4 billion dinars [$3 million] to the Iraqi Securities Commission for the modernization and maintenance of electronic systems used for stock and bond trading. The project, exempted from standard government contract procedures, will be executed in partnership with […]
Iraq imposes Customs Duty on Imported Asphalt
By John Lee. Iraq's Cabinet has revised the sale price of asphalt to 450,000 dinars [$343] per ton, up from 350,000 dinars, applicable equally to both public and private sectors. Asphalt from the Qayyarah refinery will remain at 300,000 dinars per ton for all types, with pricing to be reviewed in four months. An 80-percent […]
Timeline for End of Military Mission to Defeat ISIS in Iraq
By John Lee. The United States and Iraq have announced that the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS will conclude its military mission in Iraq over the next twelve months, and no later than the end of September 2025. In a joint statement, the countries said the Coalition will transition to "bilateral security partnerships in a […]
US Court orders Iraq to pay $5.7m
By John Lee. A US court has ordered Iraq to pay an American law firm $5.7 million in damages, interest and costs, relating to an unpaid legal bill. Mills Law Group LLP (MLG) took the state of Iraq, and the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, to court following Iraq's non-payment of fees for the company's services […]
Iraq receives 3 new Search and Rescue (SAR) Vessels
By John Lee. Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards Group has successfully delivered three advanced search and rescue (SAR) vessels to Jawar Al Khaleej (JAK) in a ceremony held at Albwardy Damen in Sharjah, UAE. The handover, which took place just five months after the contract signing, includes two Damen SPi 1605 SAR class vessels and one Damen […]
Iraq Resumes Full Civil Aviation Operations
By John Lee. Late on Tuesday evening, Iraq's Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhibis Al-Saadawi (pictured), announced the full resumption of air traffic at all Iraqi airports following a temporary suspension earlier in the day due to regional tensions. A Ministry statement said that, with safety risks now mitigated, Iraqi airspace has reopened for all incoming, […]
Iraq Launches New Road and Bridge Projects
By John Lee. Iraq has approved a series of infrastructure projects, focussing on the construction of roads and bridges. These projects aim to improve connectivity and support economic growth across various provinces. Key developments include: Baghdad: Preparation of studies and technical feasibility for the construction of the road (Amara - Kut - Baghdad - Kirkuk) […]
Iraq Opens Armored Vehicle Production Line
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Interior, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, has inaugurated a new armored vehicle production line under the Defence Industries Commission (DIC), with support from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. According to a statement from the Ministry, the initiative aims to enhance the supply of military equipment to Iraq's security forces. It says […]
Concerns over Quality of Iraq's Private Universities
From Kurdistan24. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq sees rapid growth in private universities amid concerns over quality and accountability The number of private universities and colleges in Iraq has surged dramatically, with three new institutions opening annually, according to the […]
"Impunity prevails" for Violations against Tishreen Protesters
From Amnesty International. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. "We hold them responsible for the blood of our youth": Five years on, impunity prevails for violations against Tishreen protesters On the five-year anniversary of the Tishreen protests, Amnesty International's research reveals a […]
Iraq Warns Forex Companies over Dollar/Dinar Commissions
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has identified irregularities in the operations of several exchange companies regarding the sale of U.S. dollars allocated to travellers. A recent audit and monitoring of company practices revealed that some exchange firms have been charging citizens a commission of 50,000 dinars for purchasing dollars, double the […]