Germany Strengthens Criminal Justice Services in Iraq

Criminal justice services in Iraq strengthened thanks to new contribution from Germany The Government of Germany has committed USD 1.13 million to support the Government of Iraq strengthen its criminal investigations and crime scene management under a new project in partnership with UNDP Iraq. Strengthening Criminal Investigations and Crime Scene Management Capacities in Iraq aims […]

Oil Minister meets with Chinese and Russian IOCs

By John Lee. The director of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has presented his company's plans for the development of the Bazergan [Buzurgan] oil field in Maysan to Iraq's Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar. In a separate meeting on Wednesday, the Minister also received the CEO of Lukoil in Iraq, Igor Zubarev, who gave […]

KRG's Operational Expenditure System goes Digital

KRG's Reform Programme Continues: government's operational expenditure system goes digital The Kurdistan Regional Government is this month rolling out a fully digitalised system to control operational expenditure. This important modernisation step - the result of detailed collaboration between various government bodies - will increase efficiency and reduce corruption by ensuring that all government day-to-day expenditure […]

Iraq to Renew Licences of Mobile Phone Companies

By John Lee. At its regular meeting on Tuesday, the Iraqi Cabinet has decided to renew the licenses of mobile phone companies for a period of five years. The offer is conditional on the companies paying 50 percent of their outstanding debt, and agreeing to provide 4G services. (Source: Govt of Iraq)

Türk Eximbank gives $79m Reinsurance to UKEF

By John Lee. Turkey's official export credit agency has reportedy agreed to provide $79.2 million in reinsurance support to its U.K. counterpart's energy projects in Iraq. According to Daily Sabah, Türk Eximbank will provide UK Export Finance (UKEF) with cash in proportion to the value of Turkish exports and services that will be used in […]

Video: Killing of Prominent Expert Sparks Outrage

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The United Nations, foreign governments and Iraq's leaders are condemning the killing of a well-known Iraqi expert on al-Qaeda, ISIL (ISIS) and other armed groups. Husham al-Hashemi was shot outside his home in […]

Prominent Iraqi Analyst Shot Dead in Baghdad

Unknown assailants shot dead a well-known Iraqi analyst near his home in a rare high-profile killing in the Iraqi capital, reports said. Gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on Hisham al-Hashimi [Husham al-Hashemi], 47, outside his home in the Zeyouneh area of Baghdad, a family member said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. […]

Tabaqchali: "Revisiting the Iraq Thesis, Five Years Later"

By Ahmed Tabaqchali, CIO of Asia Frontier Capital (AFC) Iraq Fund. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Market Review: "Revisiting the Iraq Thesis, Five Years Later" June marked the five-year anniversary of the AFC Iraq Fund - conceived a year earlier amidst […]

Iraq: "Strong Growth Potential ... Low Competitiveness"

By John Lee. Moody's Investors Service has said that Iraq's credit profile of Caa1 is supported by the country's "ba2" economic strength, reflecting, "the balance of strong growth potential associated with large natural resource endowment against low competitiveness and the significant loss of productive capacity and infrastructure after many years of armed conflict". More here. […]

Iraq sees 600% rise in COVID-19 cases in June

By John Lee. With a 600 per cent rise in COVID-19 cases in Iraq through June, efforts must be re-doubled to slow the spread of the disease, warns the International Rescue Committee (IRC). With the number of confirmed cases standing at 53,708 on July 1 - up from 6,868 on June 1 - the Ministry […]