By John Lee. Priorities for a new World Bank loan to Iraq's electricity sector were discussed at a meeting between Electricity Minister Ali Saad Wahib and Emmanuel Salinas Munoz, the World Bank's country director for Iraq, on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Electricity, the meeting also reviewed progress on projects under the current World […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Council of Ministers has approved new mechanisms for exporting Iraqi oil through specialist international and domestic companies via multiple outlets, under contracts of three months' duration beginning 1 September 2026. The Council also approved exceptional authorisations to expand export and import capacities. The Minister of Oil, Basim Muhammad Khudhair al-Abadi, has […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Cabinet of Ministers has approved a set of measures to reform crude oil pricing and reduce fuel subsidies, effective from 1 September 2026. Under the approved measures: Crude oil purchases will be priced at either the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) rate or the price stipulated in the general budget, whichever […]
By John Lee. Iraq has expressed interest in deepening economic ties with Italy and broader engagement with European Union member states. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with Italian Ambassador Niccolò Fontana in Baghdad on Sunday, with discussions covering bilateral relations and ways to develop cooperation across multiple sectors. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Ali […]
By John Lee. A lime production plant operated by the General Company for Iron and Steel in Basra has resumed operations following the completion of rehabilitation works, with an initial daily capacity of 200 tonnes. According to the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, the plant produces quicklime (calcium oxide, CaO) to specifications the company says […]
By John Lee. Talks on expanding trade and economic cooperation between Iraq and Iran have taken place in Baghdad. Iraq's Minister of Trade, Mustafa Nizar Jumaa, met with an Iranian delegation to discuss ways to develop bilateral trade volumes, facilitate the movement of goods, and activate existing agreements and memoranda of understanding. The discussions covered […]
By John Lee. Ali Abdul-Reza Hassan al-Alwan has been appointed chairman and board president of state-owned Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI). The appointment was made by order of the Prime Minister. Al-Alwan said the coming period would focus on consolidating the bank's development trajectory and strengthening its institutional performance through a strategic vision and integrated […]
By John Lee. A delegation of Turkish business leaders has met Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Baghdad to discuss bilateral economic and investment cooperation. The delegation was led by Lütfi Elvan, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Treasury and Finance of Turkey. According to the Prime Minister's Office, al-Zaidi invited Turkish companies to […]
By John Lee. A $75 million trade finance facility has been agreed between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Al Mansour Bank for Investment (MBI), one of Iraq's leading private-sector banks. The facility is provided under the EBRD's Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) and will offer guarantees and cash advances to support MBI's […]
By John Lee. Talks have taken place on the possible establishment of an Iraq-Canada Business Council to strengthen economic, trade, and investment relations between the two countries. Malik Khalaf al-Durai'i, Director General of the Private Sector Development Department at the Ministry of Trade, met with the Vice President of the Canadian-Iraqi Business Council and an […]
By John Lee. The governors of Iraq's and Iran's central banks have met in Baghdad to discuss financial and banking cooperation between the two countries. According to the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), the meeting was attended by Nizar Nasser Hussein, the CBI Governor, and his Iranian counterpart, Abdolnaser Hemmati, along with Iran's Ambassador to […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Oil is planning a strategic overhaul of the Iraqi Oil Tanker Company (IOTC), including partnerships with tanker-owning firms, deferred-payment purchases, and leasing arrangements to expand the fleet. The ministry's aim is to acquire large modern vessels with a capacity of up to two million barrels, better suited to the […]
