By John Lee. The Ministerial Council for the Economy has approved new measures to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy projects as part of the government's "smart and rapid solutions" programme for the electricity distribution sector. Under the decisions, provincial governors have been granted authority to refer investment projects linked to approved technical models for […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) reported that Iraq's inflation rate fell to -0.8 percent in the third quarter of 2025, down from 3.5 percent in the same period of 2024. The bank noted that this decline reflects a reduction in overall price levels and an improvement in purchasing power for individuals […]
By John Lee. Iraq's government has set out a series of investment-focused measures aimed at reshaping the country's business environment, following a high-level meeting between the Prime Minister's Adviser for International Investments and the Minister of Trade. The meeting was attended by members of the Iraqi-French Business Council, along with senior officials from the Ministry […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Sadaawi, has directed contractors to accelerate work on Nasiriyah International Airport as the project enters its final stages. During a meeting at the General Company for Air Navigation Services, attended by representatives of China's CSCEC (China State Construction Engineering Corporation), the implementing contractor, and senior Iraqi […]
By John Lee. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Developmen (EBRD) has launched its first-ever investment in Iraq, providing a US$100 million trade finance facility to the National Bank of Iraq (NBI), the country's largest private bank. The facility, extended under the EBRD's Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP), will support Iraq's import and export activity by enabling […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Transport has announced the arrival of the first European aircraft at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) in 35 years, marking a major milestone in the country's return to the European aviation network. The flight, operated by Aegean Airlines, Greece's national carrier, is running on the Baghdad-Athens-Baghdad route with two scheduled […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) reported a 5.5 percent decline in currency issued during the third quarter of 2025, falling to 99,681 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $76.1 billion) from 104,127 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $79.5 billion) in the same period of 2024. The bank said that a reduction in currency in […]
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 […]
