By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) reported that the value of its gold reserves increased in the third quarter of 2025, rising to 27,552 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $21.0 billion), up from 16,817 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $12.8 billion) in the same quarter of 2024. This represents an increase of 64 percent. […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired an extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Council for the Economy, approving a package of measures aimed at reducing government spending and increasing revenues. Decisions included an urgent review of salaries and allowances for the three presidencies, with instructions to equalise benefits at the Presidency and Parliament […]
By John Lee. Iraq has taken initial steps towards establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual and digital assets, aligned with international best practices. The first meeting of the National High Committee for the Regulation of Virtual Assets was held in Baghdad at the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), bringing together senior representatives from regulatory, […]
By John Lee. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Fuad Hussein met Mr. Jin Xin, Assistant Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee, in Baghdad to review bilateral relations and future cooperation. Mr Hussein described China as a pivotal strategic partner for Iraq, noting that bilateral trade stands […]
By John Lee. DP World has introduced a new weekly 36-hour maritime service linking Dubai's Mina Rashid with Iraq's Umm Qasr Port, offering what it says is a faster and more predictable alternative to overland trucking. The route will accommodate up to 145 accompanied trailers per sailing on the upgraded 166.75-meter Ro-Ro vessel DP World […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Directorate of Industrial Development has issued 158 licences for new industrial projects during November, covering food, chemical, metal, construction, textile and engineering sectors. Baghdad received 46 licences, followed by Nineveh (17), Basra (15), Anbar (10), Karbala (7), and additional allocations across Salahuddin, Najaf, Wasit, Diyala, Babylon and others. The directorate also issued […]
By John Lee. National Investment Commission (NIC) Deputy Chairman Salar Mohammed Amin met with a delegation of Canadian, American, Spanish and local technology companies to discuss accelerating Iraq's digital transformation, particularly as the country advances major development and reconstruction programmes. The meeting reviewed priority digital investment projects, including the national fibre-optic project and the smart […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Electricity has begun the first phase of installing smart electricity meters in selected provinces and areas of Baghdad, alongside activating key electronic payment mechanisms. The ministry said the rollout includes government institutions and has already started in parts of Baghdad, as well as areas of Diyala, Kirkuk, Anbar and […]
By John Lee. The Samarra Pharmaceutical Company has launched its first production batch of anti-nausea tablets, marking a new addition to Iraq's domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. The company said the product, manufactured as part of its November 2025 production plan, is used to treat nausea and vomiting in patients following surgical operations. The medicine has been […]
By John Lee. Norway's DNO ASA has announced a major scaling-up of operations in the Kurdistan Region after surpassing 500 million barrels of cumulative oil production from the Tawke licence, where it holds a 75 percent operating stake. Drilling will resume next week after a 2.5-year spending pause, beginning with a new production well in the […]
By John Lee. Egypt's Edita Food Industries will direct part of its planned EGP 4-billion ($84 million) investment budget for next year toward expanding production in Iraq. Chairman and Managing Director Hani Berzi told Asharq Business that Edita's programme in Iraq includes installing a new production line at a factory the company bought recently, with operations scheduled […]
By John Lee. SpaceX (Starlink) has held talks in Baghdad as Iraq moves into the final stages of issuing satellite-internet licences, including one for the US company. Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani received the delegation on Thursday, in the presence of US Chargé d'Affaires Joshua Harris. The meeting reviewed licensing procedures, potential cooperation in communications […]
