Iraq Falls Further in World Press Freedom Index
By John Lee. Iraq has fallen in the World Press Freedom Index for 2022, ranking 172nd out of 180 countries, down nine places on last year. The result puts Iraq behind countries such as Syria and Saudi Arabia, but ahead of Iran and China. First place went to Norway, with North Korea coming last. Reporters […]
Iraqi Start-Up Lezzoo Expands with Purchase of Saydo
By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi startup Lezzoo expands with purchase of Saydo The delivery startup is one of several in the autonomous Kurdistan Region, and the autonomous government is hoping to spur more […]
New Study Supports Iraqi Private Sector Development
The Ministry of Planning of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a study on Micro, Small, and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs) in Iraq. The study provides an evidence base to inform policies and strategies […]
Hanwha "Cautious" about resuming Bismayah Project
By John Lee. South Korea's Hanwha Group is reported to be "cautious" about resuming the construction at the giant Bismayah New City housing project, southeast of Baghdad. The Korea Times quotes an official at the company as saying that if the Iraqi government completes payment of the money owed to Hanwha, the company, "may resume […]
Genel Energy updates on Sarta Field
By John Lee. Genel Energy has announced the following update on the Sarta PSC (30% working interest and operator): Testing of the Sarta-6 appraisal well has been completed. The well was a six kilometre step out from, and was c.300 metres downdip from, the Phase 1A pilot production area. 12 intervals were completed for individual, […]
Contract Awarded for Rehabilitation of Livestock Market
By John Lee. Jauf Albihar for General Trades and Contracts has won a contract with the United Nations Secretariat for the "Rehabilitation of Livestock Market, TelAfar, Nineveh Governorate." The contract is valued at $141,595. (Source: UNGM)
Iraqi President Reiterates need to Develop Banking System
Iraqi President Reiterates the Need to Minimize Routine, Develop Iraq's Banking System On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, the President of the Republic of Iraq, Abdullatif Jamal Rashid met with a Delegation from International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, headed by its Regional Director, Aftab Ahmed. The meeting took place at […]
Iraq: Activist Imprisoned for Peaceful Criticism of Security Forces
From Human Rights Watch (HRW). Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq: Activist Imprisoned for Peaceful Criticism of Security Forces A criminal court in Baghdad sentenced an activist to three years in prison on December 5, 2022, for alleged criticism of the […]
Revision of Iraq's National Food Security Strategy
Roundtable discussions in the KRI on the revision of the National Food Security Strategy and Action Plan The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Iraq in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MoAWR) of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) conducted a roundtable discussion on the review and […]
GardaWorld keeps $1.2bn Baghdad Embassy Contract
By John Lee. Virginia-based security firm SOC LLC has failed in its attempt to challenge the awarding of a $1.2-billion contract for security services at the US embassy in Baghdad to rival GardaWorld. According to a decision from the US's Government Accountability Office (GAO), four proposals were received for the work, and the Department of […]
Iraqi PM pushes Basra Desalination Project
By John Lee. The Prime Minister, Mr. Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani, has chaired a meeting this week discussing the sea water desalination project in Basra Governorate. During the meeting, they discussed "the acceleration of contracting and financing mechanisms." The Prime Minister affirmed the government's intention to involve reliable international companies in the implementation of the project. […]
Al Sadr takes aim at LGBTQ Community
By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's Sadr takes aim at LGBTQ community Leader of the Sadrist movement Muqtada al-Sadr made the headlines again in Iraq by announcing his opposition to homosexuality, several months into […]