Campaign to Tackle the Child Labour in Iraq
ILO and partners launch nation-wide campaign to tackle the worst forms of child labour in Iraq The International Labour Organization (ILO) in Iraq and partners launched a nation-wide campaign to tackle the worst forms of child labour in the country. The campaign will target 10,000 children, their families and guardians, teachers, employers, and the media […]
Iraqi Kurdistan "Discards Idea of Democracy"
Iraqi Kurdistan's Authoritarian Turn: Western ally 'Discards idea of Democracy' Writing in the Financial Times, Chloe Cornish says the arrest and conviction of journalists and activists In Iraqi Kurdistan has revived concerns over a government dominated by two clans, the Barzanis and the Talabanis. Click here to read the full article (subscription required)
30 Years Jail for Bank Fraud in Amara
By John Lee. Iraq's Commission of Integrity (COI) has announced that an accountant at the Al-Amara branch of the Agricultural Cooperative Bank has been given a 30-year prison sentence for the embezzlement of 996 million Iraqi dinars ($680,000). Her assets were also seized, and she will be required to repay the amount. A former director […]
Iraq: Powerful Militias Assassinate Protesters with Impunity
By Louisa Loveluck and Mustafa Salim, for the Washington Post. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. In Iraq, powerful militias assassinate protesters with impunity The killings take place in public and are captured on surveillance footage. Those videos are then watched […]
Gulf Keystone announces Special Dividend
Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has announced that its Board has approved the declaration of a special dividend of $25 million. Jon Harris (pictured), Gulf Keystone's Chief Executive Officer, said: "Given continuing strong oil prices, improving macroeconomic conditions and our robust financial position, we are pleased to deliver on our commitment to consider further shareholder distributions […]
KRG amends Oil Payment Terms; Share Prices Fall
By John Lee. Shares in oil companies operating in Iraqi Kurdistan have been hit by a change in payment terms imposed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Genel Energy, Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) and DNO this morning reported to the markets that they have received letters from the KRG proposing an amendment to payment terms […]
UNICEF and UNFPA launch National Youth Vision
UNICEF and UNFPA Launch of National Youth Vision The Ministry of Youth and Sports in the Federal Government launched the 2030 National Youth Vision. The Vision was put in place in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Youth in the Kurdistan Regional Government, with technical support from UNFPA and UNICEF, and funding from Sweden, […]
New efforts to Improve Agricultural Methods in Iraq
Iraq's Minister of Agriculture, H.E Muhammad Karim Al-Khafaji, has received the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Iraq (FAO), Dr. Salah Hajj Hassan, and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Ministry's Technical Undersecretary Dr. Mithaq Abdul-Hussein, the Ministry's advisor, Dr. Mahdi Damad Al-Qaisi, and Adviser Raed Haddad […]
UN: Freedom of Expression Increasingly Curtailed in KRI
Freedom of expression increasingly curtailed in Kurdistan Region of Iraq - UN report Freedom of expression in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has been increasingly curtailed over the past year, according to a UN report issued on Wednesday. Critics of public authorities have risked not only intimidation, restrictions on their movements and arbitrary arrests, but […]
Iraq "formally asks" to buy Exxon's West Qurna stake
By John Lee. Iraq is reported to have formally asked to buy ExxonMobil's share in the West Qurna 1 oil field. Basra Oil Company (BOC) director, Khalid Hamza, told Reuters that the US company is attempting to sell its 32.7-percent stake for $350 million. More here. (Source: Reuters)
Lockheed Martin "Removes Contractors" from Balad Air Base
By John Lee. Lockheed Martin is reportedly withdrawing its contractors from Balad Air Base, which has seen frequent rocket attacks in recent months. The company has been working on the program to maintain Iraq's fleet of F-16 fighter jets. More here and here. (Sources: Reuters, New York Times)
UNAMI report on Iraq's Electoral Preparations
By John Lee. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has published its latest report on Iraq's electoral preparations and processes. Iraqis will go to the polls for early elections in October 2021. The full report can be downloaded here. (Source: UNAMI)