Gulfood 2026 Delivers Record Global Trade Impact
Two Mega Venues, One Commercial Powerhouse: Gulfood 2026 Delivers Record Global Trade Impact Five days of deal-making, buyer engagement and market expansion positioned Gulfood 2026 as the world's most powerful food trade platform In January 2026, Dubai made global exhibition history as Gulfood, the world's largest annual food and beverage sourcing event, successfully delivered a […]
S&P Affirms Iraq at 'B-/B'; Outlook Stable
By John Lee. S&P Global Ratings has affirmed its 'B-' long-term and 'B' short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Iraq. "The outlook is stable," it added. More details, including economic stats, here. (Source: S&P Global Ratings)
Protest Over New Customs Tariffs in Iraq
From Kurdistan24. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Traders Shut Markets Across Iraq in Protest Over New Customs Tariffs Widespread strikes erupt in Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Basra as merchants warn of soaring prices, collapsing trade, and growing social unrest. Click here […]
Fatality and Injuries Reported After Refinery Fire
By John Lee. A fire that broke out in a compressor unit at the Salah 2 refinery in Baiji has been brought under control, with refinery operations stabilised shortly afterwards. The incident began at approximately 19:45 on Monday, with safety and firefighting teams bringing the fire under control by 20:00. All containment operations were completed […]
Epstein Papers: Norway's Ambassador to Iraq Steps Down
By John Lee. Mona Juul has stepped down from her role as Norway's Ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, following discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an ongoing investigation into her knowledge of, and contact with, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Ministry had already relieved Juul of her duties while it examines documents […]
General Dynamics wins new Iraq Defense Contract
By John Lee. General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $11,994,680 modification (P00014) to contract W56HZV-21-C-0072 for contractor logistics support services to sustain M1A1SA Abrams tanks and M88A1/A2 recovery vehicles. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $90,954,439. Work will be performed in Camp Taji, Iraq, […]
Industrial City Investment Planned in Wassit Province
09By John Lee. Iraq's Industrial Coordination Council has approved a series of measures aimed at supporting industrial operations, infrastructure use, and fuel transition for manufacturing facilities. The Council approved the use of specialised berths (10 and 11) at Khor Al-Zubair Port to support the operation of a sponge iron plant, in line with the plant's […]
Iraq Launches Smart Grid and E-Billing Project
By John Lee. The Ministry of Electricity has launched the first phase of its smart transformation and electronic billing project, covering selected areas of Baghdad and several provinces. The Ministry said the areas included in the initial phase were chosen following studies of electricity networks, loads, feeders, and subscriber data. According to a Ministry spokesperson, […]
Dinars to Dollars - Tabaqchali Explains Market Gap
By John Lee. Recent media reports have flagged up the growing gap between the official dinar exchange rate and its value in the informal market - see here and here. In his latest monthly investment report for Iraq Business News, Ahmed Tabaqchali attributes the fall in the dinar to the behaviour of certain importers following […]
Tabaqchali: Equity Market Discounts Regional Tensions
By Ahmed Tabaqchali, Chief Strategist of AFC Iraq Fund. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. "Equity Market Discounts Regional Tensions" The market, as measured by the Rabee Securities U.S. Dollar Equity Index (RSISX USD Index), was down 0.9% for the month, on […]
US Firm Wins $110m VSAT Contract in Iraq
By John Lee. The US State Department last month approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) and related equipment. The estimated total cost is $110 million, and the principal contractor will be Network Innovations, of Frederick, Maryland. Full statement from US State Department: WASHINGTON, January 14, 2026 […]
New Haematite Plant Begins Operations in Maysan
By John Lee. A hematite [haematite, Fe2O3] production project with an annual capacity of approximately 400,000 tonnes has reportedly been inaugurated in Maysan Governorate. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the project was launched by the Military Industrialization Authority, with Ali Mohsen Khudair, Director General of the General Company for Military Industries, saying […]