Iraq's Political Elites since the October 2019 Protests

By Marsin Alshamary, for The Clingendael Institute. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. A scramble for legitimacy: Iraq's political elites since the October 2019 protests Iraqi political elites exhibited a variety of responses to the 2019 October protests, the largest demonstrations in […]

IDC Launches Largest Drilling Rig in Iraq

By John Lee. The Iraqi Drilling Company (IDC) has launched its largest drilling rig, IDC 57, at the Majnoon oil field. General Manager Khaled Hamza Abbas said the with 3,000-horsepower rig is modern, advanced and capable of drilling wells up to 8,500 meters deep. The technical and engineering teams have started drilling the Yamama appraisal […]

Saudi Arabia "opens up to Iraq's Shiite Shrines"

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Inside story: Saudi Arabia opens up to Iraq's Shiite shrines Indicating a changing approach to Iraq, Saudi Ambassador to Baghdad Abdulaziz Al-Shammari has paid a highly publicized visit to a major Shiite shrine […]

Iraq Extends Oil Supply Agreement with Jordan

By John Lee. Jordan's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has announced that Iraq has approved a three-month extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for supplying oil to Jordan, under the same contractual terms and price. The Director of Jordan's Oil and Natural Gas Directorate, Engineer Iman Awad, stated that Jordan has completed all […]

First Carbon Exchange Franchise in Iraq

By John Lee. Capturiant, which describes itself as "the world's first energy-derived carbon credit and environmental asset authenticator, registry, and regulated exchange", has announced its first Middle Eastern franchise in Iraq, in partnership with Sharp Mind Global Ventures Inc., a Canada-based company with a branch in Iraq. According to a press release from Capturiant: This […]

Iraq, UK Launch Academic Bridge Program

By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research has launched the Academic Bridge Program between Iraq and the United Kingdom. Dr. Naim Al-Aboudi presented an official copy to the British Council during the Iraq-UK Higher Education Dialogue in London. In his speech, Dr. Al-Aboudi highlighted the broad and diverse collaboration opportunities between […]

Italian Firm Exempted from Iraq Registration Requirements

By John Lee. The Iraqi Cabinet has approved exempting the Italian company GKSD from the registration requirements outlined in the amended Foreign Companies Branches System (2 of 2017). The Cabinet also approved funding the equipment and management contract for the Internal Security Forces Hospital from the budget of the Internal Security Forces Care Affairs Directorate, […]

KPMG Begins Audit of Iraqi Mobile Phone Operators

By John Lee. Dr. Ali Al-Moayyed [Ali Hussein al-Moayad], Chairman of Iraq's Communications and Media Commission (CMC), has announced that KPMG has started auditing the revenues of mobile phone companies operating in Iraq from 2017 to 2022. According to a press release from the CMC, this initiative aims to enhance transparency, combat tax evasion in […]

Contention over Shiite Holiday in Iraq

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Contention over Shiite holiday highlights sectarian, intra-Shiite contests in Iraq In Iraq, a proposal to make Eid Al-Ghadir -- a pivotal annual event for Shiite Muslims -- an official holiday is fueling both […]

Iraq Launches Loan Program for Industrial Projects

By John Lee. Iraq's General Directorate for Industrial Development (GDID) has launched a new loan mechanism for small, medium, and micro enterprises (MSMEs). The loans are made in conjunction with the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), and can be worth up to 20 million Iraqi dinars ($15,000) per loan. Dr. Ali Ibrahim Janaan, Director General […]

Iraq Development Fund Discusses Projects

By John Lee. The Iraq Development Fund Board, chaired by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, held its third meeting on Monday in the presence of the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Planning, and the Minister of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works. The meeting discussed the projects included in the Fund's work plan, attracting […]