By John Lee. The operational plan for the Development Road project has been reviewed, alongside progress on engineering designs and economic feasibility. The discussions were held during a meeting involving Oliver Wyman, the project's financial advisory firm, and BTP, the Italian engineering consultancy, at the headquarters of the Iraqi Republic Railways Company. Key points covered […]
By John Lee. The United Nations General Assembly has elected Barham Ahmed Salih of Iraq as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), for a five-year term. He will succeed Filippo Grandi of Italy and is expected to assume office on 1 January 2026, based in Geneva. A statement from the office of […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Trade has held talks with the Iraq-Italy Business Council (IIBC) on expanding economic cooperation and encouraging greater Italian investment in the Iraqi market. Discussions focused on opportunities in industry, services and technology, as well as measures to improve the business environment and support small and medium-sized enterprises. The ministry […]
By John Lee. Italy's Prometheus will supply its ProFlex passive fire protection systems for the New Nassiriya Depot Project, where China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd (CPP) is the EPC contractor. The project, developed by the State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP), involves the construction of a new crude oil storage and handling facility on the […]
By John Lee. The Italian consultancy BTP Infrastrutture has reportedly completed between 70 and 75 percent of the final designs and studies for Iraq's Development Road Project, which will link Basra to the Turkish border via a railway and international highway. Project Director Guido Bonini told the state-owned Iraqi News Agency (INA) that BTP has submitted […]
By John Lee. A delegation from the Iraq Italy Business Council (IIBC) met with Mr. Luca Passariello, Head of SACE Connects, Italy's export credit and project finance agency, at the SACE headquarters in Rome to discuss enhancing financial cooperation and investment support between Iraq and Italy. The discussions focused on SACE's financial instruments and services […]
The Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), has entrusted UNESCO with the implementation of the project "Improving Access to Inclusive Quality Education in Southern Iraq". The initiative aims to expand access to education for thousands of out-of-school children in the governorates of Basra, Dhi Qar, […]
By John Lee. The inauguration of the Iraq-Italy Business Council (IIBC) this week marked a major milestone in strengthening economic relations between Iraq and Italy. The ceremony included the ribbon-cutting of the new IIBC headquarters in Baghdad. A launch event at Babylon Rotana brought together senior officials, business leaders, and diplomatic representatives from both countries. […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Ministry of Electricity has reportedly purchased ten telescopic truck-mounted lifts made by Italian firm CTE. The equipment was supplied by Precision Machinery, CTE's distributor in the UAE. More here. (Sources: Precision Machinery, Vertikal)
From the International Labour Organization (ILO): Iraq launches business registration guide to promote formalization and decent work The guide is a practical resource for entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), offering a clear, step-by-step process to register their businesses. Iraq's Ministry of Trade, in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and with […]
By John Lee. Italian kitchen company Cesar has opened a new showroom in Baghdad. The new facility is run by Hamandi Interiors, founded in 1987 by Ali Hamandi, and now managed by his sons, Hussein and Ahmed. (Source: Cesar)
By John Lee. The Iraqi Ministry of Planning held a workshop on August 7, 2025, to review and discuss the final draft of the National Policy for the Development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This policy is set to be adopted as a key national document supporting this vital sector, with ongoing technical […]
