Iraq's Ministry of Electricity gets a Re-Brand
By John Lee. The Iraqi cabinet has agreed to change the name of the Ministry of Electricity to the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy. A draft law enacting the change will be referred to the House of Representatives (parliament). (Source: Govt of Iraq)
NIC may Compensate Investors who suffered due to ISIS Terrorism
By John Lee. The Chairwoman of the National Investment Commission (NIC), Suha Daoud Najjar, has confirmed that the NIC is studying compensating investors who are still continuing their investment projects despite suspension for four years due to ISIS terrorist gangs. She indicated that the study includes submitting a proposal to the Council of Ministers and […]
Menzies expands MASIL JV at Baghdad Airport
Menzies Aviation expands MASIL joint venture with launch of passenger services at Baghdad International Airport Menzies Aviation has announced that it has expanded its joint venture with Iraqi Airways ("MASIL") to offer passenger services at Baghdad International Airport. MASIL has now assumed operational control of passenger service activities in the Nineveh terminal at Iraq's largest […]
EU proposes Visa Restrictions for Iraq
By John Lee. The European Commission has proposed to the Council to adopt temporary restrictive measures on short-stay visas for visa applicants who are nationals of Iraq, Bangladesh and The Gambia. Under the revised Visa Code in force since February 2020, the EU's short-stay visa policy is linked to cooperation with partner countries on readmitting […]
Construction Starts at $250m Iraqi Cement Project
By John Lee. Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals, Manhal Aziz Mahmoud Al-Khabbaz, has announced the official start of construction of a new cement plant in Badoush, in Nineveh Governorate. The $220-million project is being carried out by the General Company of Iraqi Cement and a Spanish company, which the Ministry did not name. The […]
Japan extends $300m Loan for Basra Refinery
By John Lee. Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Motegi Toshimitsu, visited Iraq on Saturday, meeting with Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, and President Barham Salih. Minister Motegi announced that Japan intends to extend the "Basrah Refinery Upgrading Project (Phase 3)" Yen loan project (up to the amount of 32.7 billion yen) [$300 […]
Iraqi PM improves ties with Kuwait
By John Lee. On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi met with the Emir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. During the meeting in Kuwait, the Prime Minister stressed the need to take advantage of the potential offered by being neighbouring states, the interdependence of strategic and economic interests between the two […]
Erbil Firm Wins UN Housing Contract
By John Lee. Erbil-based Aswar Al-Hadhaba General Trading, Contracting and Transportation Ltd has won a contract with the United Nations Secretariat for the post-conflict reconstruction of 21 low cost core housing units In Yathrib Sub-District, Balad district, Salah Al Din Governorate, Iraq The contract is valued at $428,835. (Source: UNGM)
US Consul General visits Universities in Erbil
By John Lee. The US Consul General in Erbil, Robert Palladino, has recently visited higher educational facilities in the city. At Erbil Polytechnic University he met with President Dr. Kawa Sherwani and senior administrators. They discussed U.S. exchange programs, the university's progress, and areas of possible cooperation. CG Palladino also participated in a roundtable discussion […]
Polls Give Iraq's Reformers the Advantage; Vote May Be Theirs to Lose
By Erik Gustafson, Omar Al-Nidawi, and Mohammed Khalil, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Polls Give Iraq's Reformers the Advantage, the Vote May Be Theirs to Lose In Iraq, pre-election polls indicate likely difficulties […]
Six New Ambassadors to Iraq
By John Lee. Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, has this week received the credentials of several new ambassadors to Baghdad: the Ambassador of India to Baghdad, Mr. Prashant Bisai (pictured); the Ambassador of Spain to Baghdad, Mr. Pedro Martineth; the Ambassador of Sweden to Baghdad, Mr. Jonas Lofven; the Ambassador of Pakistan to Baghdad, Mr. […]
Shares in Genel Energy fall as KRG to Terminate Contracts
By John Lee. Shares in Genel Energy fell more than 15 percent in mid-morning trading after the company announced that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) intends to terminate its contracts at Bina Bawi and Miran. In a statement, the company said: "Genel has received notice from the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Regional […]