The latest news from Kurdistan – security updates, reconstruction and more – brought to you by Iraq Business News.
The UK's former prime minister, the Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH, addressed the Kurdistan National Assembly on Sunday 29th May. The full text of his address is provided below: I am immensely grateful to President Barzani for his kind invitation for me to visit Kurdistan. His invitation was issued a long time ago […]
Overview Levels of violence rose considerably in Iraq last week, making it the worst week so far this year. A spate of bombings in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk left dozens of people dead and injured. The police and military suffered the majority of attacks, but Iraqi oil workers, US soldiers and even three European civilian […]
By Tariq Abdell, Iraq’s political risk analyst, Founder & CEO of Mesopotamia Insight. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The recent upsurge in violence across Iraq ( sticky bombs, car bombs, roadside bombs, targeted assassinations, suicide bombers, prison breaks, etc...) underscores, irrefutably, […]
Sterling Energy released an update on Tuesday revealing that important test results are imminent. Here is the statement from the Middle East and Africa oil and gas exploration and production company: Kurdistan Operations Update Sterling (AIM: SEY), the independent oil and gas exploration and production company with interests in the Middle East and Africa, provides […]
Gulf Keystone, the oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, announced on Monday that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has asked it to start exporting 5,000 barrels of oil per day. This happens just days after the Iraq central government released the first payment to the KRG after […]
US companies are put off from investing in Kurdistan by security fears, even though the Iraqi region is relatively safe and stable. Iranian businesses are more aware of the lower risks in this part of the country and are desperate to invest and take advantage of its heavy investment and rapid growth, despite tax and […]
The foundation stone was laid for a new $10m [12 billion Iraqi dinar] commercial complex and shopping centre in Erbil on Sunday. Samir Abdullah, Minister of Municipalities and Tourism of the Government of the Kurdistan Region, emphasised the importance of Kuwaiti investments in the region. Nasser Al Sayer, Chairman of the Kuwait Al-Sayer Group of […]
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has received a written notice from the federal Ministry of Finance in Baghdad, confirming release of the first oil export payment to the KRG contractors, Prime Minister Barham Salih (pictured) announced today. The Prime Minister said, “This confirmation of payment to the KRG for the Region’s contractors amounts to around […]
Overview While many have been concerned at the impact of Osama bin Laden’s death on the security situation in Iraq, conditions have not changed significantly in recent days. Levels of violence actually fell last week, although conditions are still worse than normal. The majority of attacks continue to take place in Baghdad, although last week […]
Jordan’s Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Taisir Masadeh last week met President Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister Barham Salih and ministers in Erbil to assess the latest developments and pave the way for a Jordanian consulate to open soon in the Kurdish capital. President Barzani and Ambassador Taisir discussed strengthening cooperation and coordination between the Kurdistan Regional […]
Members of the European Parliament this week in Erbil met the Kurdistan Region’s leadership. The head of the delegation Mr Struan Stevenson said to President Barzani that Iraq and Kurdistan could provide a model in the Middle East of how challenges can be solved through democracy. When meeting President Barzani, Mr Stevenson said that his […]
The Oil and Energy Parliamentary Committee will discuss the controversial oil contracts awarded by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq amid objections from the Federal Oil Ministry, it was announced on Monday. The contracts were awarded in 2009 by the KRG, but were never officially recognized by the central government in Iraq, who said […]
