Tag Archives | KRG

Kurdistan Calls for Jordanian Industrial Zone

By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has suggested establishing a special area for Jordanian industries in the region. Aswat al-Iraq reports that during the visit of 42 Jordanian businessmen and exporters, discussions were held to enhance private sector trade relations. The visit was organized by Jordanian Capital Bank, the fourth in Jordan, with […]

KRG Investment Board Chair visits Austria, Slovakia

Austrian companies in Vienna heard about the investment and trade opportunities in the Kurdistan Region, at the first business lunch to be jointly hosted by the Kurdistan Regional Government Austrian Representation and the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce. The guest of honour was Chairman of the Kurdistan Investment Board Minister Herish Muharam, who on the […]

Vitol "Apologises" for Kurdish Oil Purchase

By John Lee. Reuters reports that top oil trader Vitol has apologised to the Iraqi government for buying Kurdish oil that was exported via Turkey without Baghdad's permission. Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul-Kareem Luaibi [Elaibi] said on in Vienna: "In terms of Vitol, they have cancelled the Kurdish amount and they apologised officially ... As for […]

Kurdish Oil Exports "Halve"

By John Lee. Reuters reports that oil exports from Iraqi Kurdistan have halved to around 100,000 bpd in recent days. An Iraqi oil official said on Monday that the Kurdistan Regional Government had told Baghdad's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) that exports were reduced because operators were "facing some technical problems that will take some […]

Tawke Export Payment Received by DNO

By John Lee. DNO International was advised by the Kurdistan Regional Government that a payment of USD 160 million was transferred last night for distribution to the foreign members of the Tawke joint venture in partial payment for past oil exports of oil from the Tawke field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. DNO's share […]

Russia's LUKoil "Exported Kurdish Oil"

By John Lee. Reuters reports that LUKoil, Russian’s biggest non-state oil producer, which is believed to be considering buying ExxonMobil's stake in the West Qurna-1 oil field, has bought oil from Kurdistan in defiance of Baghdad. Baghdad has long insisted it has the sole right to export oil, but LUKoil's Geneva-based trading arm Litasco has […]

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Visits Kurdistan Region

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Gryshchenko Kostyantyn on his first visit to the Kurdistan Region met with President Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, and government ministers in Erbil. Mr Kostyantyn came to the Kurdistan Region as part of his visit to Iraq and arrived in Erbil from Baghdad. President Barzani and Foreign Minister Kostyantyn discussed ways […]

President Barzani Welcomes French Business Delegation

The Kurdistan Region President and Prime Minister last week met with France’s Ambassador to Iraq, Mr Gauer Denys, and a French business delegation representing major French companies and business associations. In his meeting with the delegation, President Masoud Barzani said that the Kurdistan Region is eager to enhance economic relations with French companies and thanked […]

KRG and UK Discuss Closer Relations

A senior delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations with the UK at a meeting with Britain's Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt. Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, and Professor Serwan Baban, Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, met Mr Burt while […]

Total Says Unclear if Iraq Wants it to Exit Halfaya

By John Lee. The chief executive of French energy giant Total, Christophe de Margerie (pictured), has said that it is not clear if Iraq wants the company to withdraw from the Halfaya oilfield due to its dealings in Iraqi Kurdistan. Total recently acquired a 20 percent interest in the Taza oil exploration block there from […]

Vast Exploration Hands Back Qara Dagh Block

By John Lee. Vast Exploration has announced that along with its consortium partners, Niko Resources and Groundstar Resources, it has entered into a relinquishment and termination agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government to surrender their collective interests in the Qara Dagh Block (pictured). Vast acquired a working interest in the block under a production sharing […]

Kurdish-Arab Feud: Russians and Exxon Making Things Worse

By Abdul-Khaleq Dosky. This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The tension between Iraqi Kurdistan and the leadership in Baghdad doesn’t seem to have diminished lately. NIQASH asked the Iraqi Kurdish why the Russians and Exxon […]