Rise in Iraqi Cancers may be linked to Wars, Environment
By Adnan Abu Zeed for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Rise in Iraqi cancer cases may be linked to wars, environment The causes of the spike may be linked to Iraq's wars or environmental pollution, but the evidence […]
Investment: Iraqi Cabinet Approves New City near Baghdad Airport
By John Lee. At their regular Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Iraq's Council of Ministers approved the establishment of a new city around Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). The new city will be called Rafael [Rafeel], and it will cover 10,600 acres. The cabinet added that, "it will be available for investment opportunities, provided that the land […]
Denmark Donates another $8m to Iraq
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq welcomes an additional DKK 50.3 million (US$8 million) contribution from the Government of Denmark to its flagship Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS). The funding will support the safe return of people in areas liberated from ISIL in Iraq by rehabilitating critical infrastructure, creating livelihoods and building social […]
UNESCO Strengthens Iraq's Online Distance Learning
UNESCO strengthens MoE Iraq's capacities in online distance learning to respond to COVID-19 The closure of schools and disruption to learning brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the need to utilize online and distance modes of learning to promote learning continuity. Distance learning, known synonymously as online learning or e-learning, serves as a […]
Five One Labs announces Recipients of Growth Funding
Five One Labs, a start-up incubator for entrepreneurs based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), has announced the grant recipients of its Growth Funding Project (GFP). The program aims to support early- and later-stage startups that were impacted by COVID-19 with seed funding grants to grow their businesses, as well as business advisory from […]
New COVID-19 Guidelines for Travelers by Iraqi Kurdistan
In accordance with the global response against COVID-19 and the cautious lifting of restrictions, the Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Health has updated official guidelines for travel to the Kurdistan Region. Taking into consideration the public interest and the government's ongoing efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, travelers entering the Kurdistan Region by land […]
Amnesty: Arbitrary Arrests and Enforced Disappearance in Kurdistan
By Amnesty International. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearance of activists and journalists Over the past year the authorities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) have ruthlessly cracked down on journalists, activists […]
BP to Spin Off Iraq Operations?
By John Lee. UK-based BP is reportedly considering a plan to spin off its operations in Iraq into a separate company. According to Dow Jones, the new company would be jointly owned by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), BP's partner in the giant Rumaila project. More here. (Source: Dow Jones)
Increased Capacity at Dora Refinery
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Oil has opened two plants for improving gasoline and hydrogen production at the Al-Dora refinery in Baghdad. The new gasoline line will increase capacity from 3 million liters per day to 4 million liters per day, and is part of a program to reduce fuel imports by 50 percent […]
Iraq "Cancels Interest" on Housing Loans; Increases Funding
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has announced increased funding for the housing sector, and the cancellation of interest on "old and current" loans. It said it has allocated 1 trillion dinars [$685 million] to the Real Estate Bank and about 900 billion dinars [$616 million] to the Housing Fund. (Source: CBI)
Kuwait and Iraq discuss Grid Connector
By John Lee. Iraq's Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Mr. Al-Manhal Al-Safi, met on Friday with the Kuwaiti Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, H.E. Dr. Mishaan Al-Otaibi. They discussed cooperation in renewable energy and natural gas, as well as developments in grid connection to supply Iraq with electrical power. (Source: MoFA)
GKP Shares Rise on Corporate Update
By John Lee. Shares in Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) ended the day up more than 6 percent on Friday, as the Kurdistan-focused oil producer gave an operational and corporate update: Jon Harris (pictured), Gulf Keystone's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We continue to safely navigate a challenging operating environment due to COVID-19, with gross average year-to-date […]