The KRG's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) notes the decision by the Seoul Western District Court in Korea to grant an application from the Korean National Oil Company (KNOC) ordering the Korea Times newspaper to delete all published articles relating to allegations by a Korean MP of a misuse of funds by the KRG and […]
By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has completely rejected what it calls "the false and malicious allegations of misuse of funds made against the KRG and the Minister of Natural Resources" by an opposition MP in the Republic of South Korea and which were published by the Korea Times. Korean MP Chun Soon-ok […]
By John Lee. A lawsuit has been filed in the US against Barclays, Credit Suisse, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), and Standard Chartered, seeking to hold them responsible for attacks on the US military because their alleged processing Iranian money that financed the attacks. According to a report from Reuters, the lawsuit, filed by wounded […]
By John Lee. The Bank of Baghdad (BOB) has reportedly announced the appointment of Mr. Faisal Al- Haimus as Managing Director. According to Radio Dijla, Mr. Al -Haimus has over twenty years of banking experience with Standard Chartered, HSBC and Mashreq Bank. (Source: Radio Dijla)
By Mark DeWeaver. So far this has been a bad year for shareholders of Dar Es Salaam Bank (BDSI). Adjusting for July’s 23.2% rights and 18.5% bonus issues, the shares are down 36% year-to-date (as of September 10). This compares to a ytd return of -5% for the ISX index and +6% for Rabee Securities […]
By John Lee. UK-based bank Standard Chartered is counting on the assistance of the British government to help it to open branches in Iraq by the end of the year, according to a report from The National. The newspaper says the company plans to open three branches in the next eighteen months, to tap into […]
By John Lee. Banking giant HSBC is reportedly struggling to exit its Iraqi operations, having had two proposals to sell its stake in Dar Es Salaam Investment Bank (DES) rejected by the country's regulator. We reported in June that HSBC was exploring options to dispose of its 70.1 percent holding in the Iraqi bank following […]
By John Lee. HSBC said today [Tuesday] that it is considering selling its 70.1 percent stake in Dar Es Salaam Investment Bank (BDSI), which has made it the main international lender in Iraq. In April, Simon Cooper (pictured), HSBC's chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa, told reporters that its presence in Iraq […]
By John Lee. UK-based banking giant HSBC has said it is reviewing its operations in Iraq. Simon Cooper (pictured), chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa, told reporters in Dubai: "In terms of Iraq, it's a market that we will continue to review." According to a report from Reuters, he did not elaborate […]
By John Lee. Doubts have been expressed regarding Asiacell's ability to raise the record $1.27 billion planned in its forthcoming IPO (initial public offering). According to a report from International Financing Review, observers are said there is a strong possibility the deal may not go through. "The thing about these three Iraqi mobile companies is […]
By Mark DeWeaver. Another roller coaster year for the ISX is drawing to a close. By the middle of May, the Rabee Securities RSISX index had fallen 24% from its early October 2011 peak. Since then, the market has staged a dramatic rebound. As of December 8, the index was down just 3% from the […]
The Middle East Association, in partnership with Eversheds LLP, is holding a seminar in London entitled “Doing Business In Iraq: Establishing A Presence And Staying Within The Law”. This seminar will take place on Tuesday 26th June, from 16:30 until 18:30. Iraq’s recent history has been dominated by conflicts and economic sanctions. But the country […]
