Alstom to Develop Rail Projects in Baghdad, Basra

French company Alstom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iraqi government for the development of urban transport in Baghdad and Basra. The MoU was signed during the Franco-Iraqi government authorities meeting, in the presence of Dr.Sami Al Araji, Head of National Investment Commission (NIC) of Iraq and Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, French Secretary of State. […]

US, Iraq discuss Coalition Support for Iraqi Forces

The High Level Committee of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve has met in Baghdad to discuss the way forward for the coalition’s continued support of the Iraqi security forces. The committee’s chairman, Staff Lt. Gen. Waad Zainl Saleh, senior secretary to the Iraqi chief of defense, and […]

Iran to Boost Gas Exports to Iraq

A top Iranian energy official unveiled plans for a rise in natural gas exports to neighboring Iraq next year. In an interview with Tasnim on Saturday, Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Hamid Reza Araqi said the country’s exports of natural gas to Iraq will increase during the spring and summer of […]

Gazprom Neft commissions New Gas Plant at Badra

Russia's Gazprom Neft has launched the commercial operation of a 1.6 billion cubic metres capacity gas processing plant at its Badra field, Iraq. Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, was present at the opening ceremony for the new facility, together with the Minister of Oil of the Republic of Iraq, Jabbar al-Luaibi, and Gazprom Neft CEO Alexander Dyukov. Dry feed gas, […]

Genel Energy attempts to Refinance Bonds

Genel Energy has announced that it has instructed the trustee for the GENEL01 bonds (ISIN: NO 001 0710 882) ('GENEL01' or 'the Bonds') to summons a bondholders' meeting to resolve a refinancing of the existing Bonds. The Company proposes to refinance GENEL01 through a partial early redemption and debt reduction by replacing the existing Bond Agreement […]

In Anbar, Liquor Shops are an Unlikely New Sign of Hope

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Even before the extremists were in control in Anbar, selling alcohol was banned. During extremist control, selling liquor was punishable by death. But now liquor stores have become a sign […]

US Sanctions on PMUs puts Iraq in Tough Spot

By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.  The conflict between the United States and Iran has taken a new turn toward escalation against the Iranian-backed armed Shiite factions in Iraq. But this step might harm Washington’s […]

"Good Quality" Oil Bearing Reservoirs found at Taq Taq

Genel Energy has announced an update on activity at the Taq Taq field (Genel 44% working interest). The TT-29w well, which was drilled to appraise the northern flank of the Taq Taq field, has been completed as a producer after successfully encountering oil bearing Cretaceous reservoirs. The well, which was drilled to a measured depth […]

Fly Baghdad plans European flights, IPO

By John Lee. Fly Baghdad's Chief Executive Ali al-Hamdany has told Reuters that the budget airline plans to start flights to Europe and India next year, and is planning a stock market listing in 2020. It will also start flights to Ankara and Beirut in the coming weeks. It currently operates two Boeing 149-seat 737-700 jets […]

US emphasises Importance of Sound Banking System

US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman (pictured) has  joined other distinguished guests and speakers at the Iraq Banking and Investment Summit on December 2. The Ambassador spoke about the need to create economic opportunity for Iraq’s younger generation through a transition from a government-controlled, oil-based economy, toward a more diversified free market system that fosters […]

Oil Exports Rise Again in November

By John Lee. Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has announced preliminary oil exports for November of 105,050,804 barrels, giving an average for the month of 3.502 million barrels per day (bpd), considerably up on the 3.348 bpd exported in October. The exports were entirely from the southern terminals, with no exports from Kirkuk via Ceyhan. Revenues for […]

Former Iraqi Subcontractor Guilty in Kickbacks Conspiracy

A federal jury convicted a Romanian citizen for his role in a government contract kickback scheme that caused a loss of more than $3.4 million to the U.S. Department of State. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Emil Popsecu, 49, conspired to violate the Anti-Kickback Act related to the lease of real […]