The latest news from Baghdad – security updates, business, construction projects and more – brought to you by Iraq Business News
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Wednesday of the High Committee overseeing the New Al-Sadr City Project in Tuzai, issuing directives to implement all infrastructure components alongside the residential construction phases. The meeting reviewed progress following the launch of service infrastructure works and examined the most efficient economic […]
By John Lee. The World Bank approved on Wednesday a US$930 million [approx. IQD 1.2 trillion] loan for Iraq to modernise its railway network, strengthen domestic and regional trade, and support economic diversification. The Iraq Railways Extension and Modernization (IREM) Project will upgrade the 1,047-km railway line connecting Umm Qasr Port in the south to […]
By John Lee. Netaj -- a Baghdad-based innovation firm that offers venture support, strategic consulting, and capability-building for entrepreneurs and institutions -- has announced the official launch of Nawat, which it describes as the country's first-ever Venture Capital (VC) Studio. According to a press release, Nawat is designed to identify, support, and invest in high-potential […]
By John Lee. The QS World University Rankings has listed 10 Iraqi universities in its 2026 (sic) ranking. Highest rated was the University of Baghdad, which was ranked in the range 741-750th worldwide. Next came Al Nahrain University in Baghdad, ranked in the range 951-1000. Two Iraqi universities -- Mustansiriyah University (Baghdad) and the University of […]
From the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC): IBBC appoints Ali Mashkour as its new Baghdad Office Manager. Ali Mashkour joins IBBC from member company MHD International. He is Iraqi British and has been based in Baghdad for the past ten years, working in projects across infrastructure, security, transport and government sectors, managing multi-disciplinary teams and engaging senior stakeholders […]
By Padraig O'Hannelly. Iraq is experiencing unprecedented stability and security, creating significant opportunities for international businesses, according to Abir Burhan, Company Director of Al-Burhan Group (ABG), speaking at the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Spring Conference in London. Burhan outlined how the operating environment has transformed dramatically over the past year, with the Iraqi government […]
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani has officially opened the United Arab Company for Food Industries factories in Al-Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad. The first phase includes pasta and noodle factories built on 20 percent of the 123-dunam [12 hectares; 30 acres] site, with an investment of 128 billion Iraqi dinars [$98 million]. […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani has reaffirmed his government's commitment to upgrading Baghdad International Airport (BIAP), chairing a high-level meeting to advance a public-private partnership (PPP) project aimed at overhauling Iraq's main aviation hub. Attended by representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Prime Minister's advisors, and the Head of the […]
By John Lee. In a strong show of support for Iraq's transformation, France hosted a high-level France-Iraq Business Forum in Paris, bringing together over 300 business leaders and decision-makers. Organised by Business France, the event aimed to reinforce bilateral economic ties and unlock long-term investment opportunities. Following the forum, key Iraqi institutions and French companies […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has officially launched construction on the New Sadr City project in Baghdad. The project covers 4,000 dunams [400 hectares; 1,000 acres] between the Al-Maamel area and the edge of the existing Sadr City. It will feature 60,000 housing units of various sizes, fully integrated with public services […]
By John Lee. The Directorate General of Industrial Development, part of Iraq's Ministry of Industry and Minerals, issued 165 preliminary licences for new industrial projects across various sectors during April 2025. Director General Dr. Eng. Ali Ibrahim Janan stated that the approvals cover food, chemical, metal, construction, textile, and engineering industries. Baghdad led with 26 […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani oversaw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Investment Commission (NIC) and Egypt's Talaat Moustafa Group for Real Estate Development (TMG) to develop part of the economic zone in Al-Rafeel [Rafael] City, west of Baghdad. The agreement involves Iraqi-Egyptian-Saudi investment and includes participation from […]
