Iraq Allocates $1.5bn for Basra-Haditha Pipeline Project
By John Lee. Iraq has formed a special committee to oversee the Basra-Haditha multi-directional oil pipeline project, following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani. The committee will be headed by the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Oil and will include relevant advisers to the Prime Minister as well as directors-general from the […]
UK, Iraq Discuss Business Opportunities
By John Lee. A meeting took place at the Iraqi Embassy in London on 23rd April 2026 to explore prospects for joint cooperation in economic and commercial fields. The Iraqi side was represented by Counsellor Amer Abdulhussein Al-Fatlawi and Counsellor Atheer Abood Al-Saedy. The British side included Raoul Hodgson from the Iraq Department at the […]
New Digital Platform for Company Registration in Iraq
By John Lee. The Iraqi Ministry of Trade has launched an integrated electronic platform under its Companies Registration Directorate, aimed at streamlining the process of establishing and registering businesses in Iraq. Key features and developments include: Full automation of company registration and establishment procedures Significant reduction in bureaucratic processes, with transactions that previously took weeks […]
Basra-Ceyhan Pipeline Proposal Back Under Consideration
By John Lee. A proposed pipeline linking southern Iraq's oil fields to the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean has re-emerged as a strategic option for diversifying Iraq's export routes, according to analysis published by the Centre for Trade and Economic Studies (TREC). The proposal has gained renewed attention following remarks by the Executive […]
Iraqi Airways Routes Resume in Full from May
By John Lee. Iraqi Airways is to resume its full international and regional route network from the beginning of May, following a suspension caused by the regional conflict and the closure of Iraqi airspace. The Ministry of Transport announced that Iraqi Airways has already restored daily services to a number of destinations, operating one flight […]
AI Strategy Meeting at Iraq's Ministry of Planning
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Planning has held an expanded meeting to discuss the country's artificial intelligence strategy, focusing on the development of measurable and achievable objectives aligned with Iraq's capabilities and ambitions in the field. Key topics included: Refining the strategy's goals to meet Ministry of Planning standards Mechanisms for establishing a sovereign […]
Kurdistan Region's Largest Cancer Hospital to Open in Erbil
By John Lee. A specialised cancer hospital, described as the first and largest of its kind in the Kurdistan Region and across Iraq, is under construction in Erbil. The facility will be built on 30,000 square metres and will include: Five floors 200 beds Advanced medical equipment to cover all patient needs on-site The project […]
60km Rail Rehabilitation on Ramadi Line
By John Lee. The third phase of rehabilitation works on the Ramadi railway line has reached Hit train station, covering a distance of 60 kilometres. Works have included the rehabilitation and maintenance of tracks, bridges, and culverts. The Director-General of Iraqi Railways, Dr Maki Jabir Nasser, said that rehabilitation of the full main line through […]
One Year of TIR System Operations in Iraq
By John Lee. The General Company for Land Transport (GCLT) has marked one year since the launch of the International Road Transport (TIR) system in Iraq, which came into operation in April 2025. According to the company's director-general, Mortada Karim Al-Shahmani, approximately 2,000 transit operations have been completed across Iraqi territory during the first year. […]
Beverly Hills Mansion Subject to Forfeiture in Iraq Bribery Case
By John Lee. The U.S. Justice Department has filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking to seize a Beverly Hills mansion allegedly purchased with the proceeds from a scheme to defraud the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The complaint alleges that a defence contractor obtained more than $700 million from DLA for fuel deliveries to U.S. forces […]
Kittleson Thanks those who worked for her Release
By John Lee. American journalist Shelly Kittleson has expressed her gratitude to those who worked for her release, after she was taken hostage by an armed faction in Baghdad earlier this month. Ms Kittleson was released on 7th April. Full statement from Shelly Kittleson: I am and will always be incredibly grateful to those who […]
Progress Assessed at BP-Led Kirkuk Project
By John Lee. Progress on the Kirkuk oil field development project has been reviewed during a meeting of the joint management committee overseeing the initiative. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Oil Minister for Upstream Affairs Bassem Mohammed Khudhair, covered ongoing work on the project, which is being implemented by BP. The development, considered a major […]