Iraqi Banks Restricted from US Dollar Transactions: FULL LIST [Amended]
By John Lee. [Editor's Note: On 26th February, the Central Bank updated the list of banks restricted from dealing in US dollars, apparently to correct an error, without making a new announcement. The list below has been updated accordingly.] The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has announced updated lists of banks and companies prohibited from […]
IPBL Renews Agreement with Frankfurt School of Finance
By John Lee. The Iraqi Private Banks League (IPBL) has renewed its joint cooperation agreement with the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, in a strategic step aimed at strengthening professional integration between the Iraqi and German banking sectors and supporting institutional development in line with international best practices. The agreement was signed on behalf […]
Iraq wants Increased Business with Russia
By John Lee. Iraq's Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Abdul Karim Hashem Mustafa, met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Cooperation and Eurasian Integration, Alexander Anatolyevich Pankin (pictured), to discuss mechanisms for facilitating trade and enhancing investment cooperation between the two countries. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the meeting took place […]
Iraqi PM Pushes Sovereign Guarantees Initiative
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani chaired a special meeting on the Sovereign Guarantees Initiative, attended by the Minister of Finance, the Director General of Public Debt at the Ministry, the Head of the Sovereign Guarantees Committee, the President of the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI), and a number of advisers. The meeting […]
UNDP to Support Iraq in Tackling Hazardous Pollutants
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Environment, Dr Helo Al-Askari, has signed an implementation agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch a multi-year project on the integrated management of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the assessment of chemically contaminated sites. The project will update Iraq's obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent […]
Report: Migration, Governance and Local Resilience in Iraq
From the Berghof Foundation. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. From climate stress to social strain -- Migration, governance and local resilience in Iraq This research report examines how climate change, migration and social cohesion intersect across four climate-affected governorates in Iraq: […]
Iraq Launches Integrated Rubber Manufacturing Project
By John Lee. The State Company for Rubber Industries and Tires, one of the companies of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, has signed a partnership contract with the private sector to establish an integrated industrial project for specialised rubber products. Director General Eng. Haider Nasser Dhaher said the project comprises three main production lines: […]
Belgium Allocates EUR 1.35m to De-Mining in Iraq and Syria
By John Lee. Belgium has contributed €1.35 million in 2025 to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to support humanitarian demining operations in Iraq and Syria. According to the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the latest allocation brings Belgium's total investment in mine countermeasure initiatives in the two countries to more than €13 million […]
WFP Iraq Country Brief, January 2026
In Numbers 14,192 people assisted in January USD 304,000 cash-based transfers made in January USD 7.6 million for the next six months (February - July 2026) net funding requirements Operational Updates General Food Assistance In January, WFP provided e-vouchers to more than 6,780 beneficiaries (1,842 households) residing in Al-Amal Rehabilitation Centre (formerly Jed'ah 1 Centre) […]
Iraq Reopens Umm Qasr Grain Silo
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Trade has reopened Berth No. 10 at the Umm Qasr grain silo following completion of maintenance and rehabilitation works, restoring the facility to full operational readiness as a key strategic gateway for wheat imports and storage. The reopening ceremony was attended by the Director General of the State Company […]
Canadian Ice Cream Shop Opens at Jadiriya Mall
By John Lee. A branch of Canadian ice cream and cakes outlet La Diperie has opened at Jadiriya Mall in Baghdad. The opening ceremony was attended by the Canadian Ambassador to Iraq, underscoring growing commercial ties and retail cooperation between Iraq and Canada. La Diperie is a brand of the MTY Food Group. (Source: Jadiriya […]
Baghdad Game Lab partners with HP to Advance Digital Skills
By John Lee. Baghdad Game Lab has announced a new association with HP to support the growth of gaming, esports, and digital skills in Iraq through the HP Gaming Garage programme. The collaboration aims to expand access to future-ready skills as Iraq's youth population continues to grow and the country's creative and technology sectors gain […]