Tag Archives | Kurdistan News

The latest news from Kurdistan – security updates, reconstruction and more – brought to you by Iraq Business News.

UN: Political Infighting in KRI "Very Disturbing"

By John Lee. The UN Secretary General's special representative for Iraq has expressed concern over the infighting between the main political parties in Iraqi Kurdistan. In a statement on Twitter, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said: "Ongoing political infighting in KRI is very disturbing. "Once again, we call on all parties to work in the interest of all […]

More Details of New Dam in Erbil

By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has issued details of the Goma Span Dam, which is currently under construction in Erbil. With an area of 6.125 million square meters, it will be the biggest dam in Erbil province when completed, and the third largest in the Kurdistan Region after the Dukan and Darbandikhan […]

GKP cancels Divi, Names New Chair of Board

Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) provided an update on operational and corporate activity and the Company's upcoming 2023 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") on Monaday: Operational & Corporate Update Following the shut-in of the Iraq-Turkey pipeline on 25 March 2023, production from the Shaikan Field remains shut-in. The suspension of exports has resulted in a gross production […]

Parliament Brawl in Iraqi Kurdistan raises Questions

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Parliament brawl in Iraqi Kurdistan raises questions about détente Ministers belonging to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are again participating in Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet meetings, having ended a six-month boycott. […]

Iraqi Oil Exports via Turkey in "Weeks rather than Days"

By John Lee. A source, citing unofficial contact with Turkish energy officials, has told Reuters that that a resumption of crude oil exports from Northern Iraq via the Turkish port of Ceyhan (pictured) is expected to take weeks rather than days. Turkish pipeline operator BOTAS has reportedly said that it needs more time to check […]

Work Starts at Chinese Solar Plant in Erbil

By John Lee. KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has laid the foundation stone at the first solar power plant in Erbil province. The 25-MW plant is being developed by a consortium consisting of Pluto Otto Cycle and Chinese companies Getting International Energy (which also has interests in neighbouring Jordan) and Shenglong Electric. The deal to […]

Fitch Rates Iraq's RTB Bank 'CCC+'

By John Lee. Fitch Ratings has assigned Erbil's Region Trade Bank for Investment and Finance Private Shareholding (RTB) a Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of 'CCC+', and Viability Rating (VR) at 'ccc+'. It says the rating reflects the bank's, "limited franchise, unstable business model, volatile and concentrated customer deposit base and weak albeit improving profitability." […]

US Businessman Convicted of Torture in Iraq

Man Convicted Of Torture And Exporting Weapons Parts And Related Services To Iraq A federal jury convicted a Pennsylvania man on May 19 for numerous crimes, including the torture of an Estonian citizen in 2015 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, in connection with the operation of an illegal weapons manufacturing plant in Kurdistan. According […]

5,000 trees planted at University of Salahaddin

By John Lee. The Agricultural College of the University of Salahaddin has planted 5,000 trees using Groasis Waterboxx technology, as part of the 'Resilience Building Interventions to Promote Food Security in Iraq' program. The innovative Waterboxx technology acts as a protective container, ensuring seed moisture and shielding from harsh conditions. Types of trees planted include […]