By John Lee. The Iraq Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) has reportedly suspended all direct flights from and to India, due to concerns over COVID-19 (coronavirus). Shafaq reports that the Indian variant of the disease has been found in Dhi Qar province. (Sources: Bas News, Shafaq)
Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) seminar to launch Professor Frank Gunter's publication on Corruption in Iraq: Corruption Worse Than ISIS: Causes and Cures for Iraqi Corruption In a well-attended online seminar, with leading International and Iraqi businesses, Embassy officials and media, Professor Frank Gunter outlined some of the key points in his paper on Corruption in […]
By John Lee. An Australian engineer and his Egyptian manager have reportedly been held without charge, and in solitary confinement, in Iraq for the past three weeks. Robert Pether, who lives in Ireland, is said to have been called to Iraq to discuss a dispute between his employer, UAE-based EKO Engineering Arabia, and the company's […]
Dana Gas and its partner Crescent Petroleum have announced the full resumption of the expansion project at the Khor Mor field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), which the companies jointly operate on behalf of the Pearl Petroleum consortium. The KM250 expansion involves further investment of US$600 million to add 250 million cubic feet […]
By John Lee. Flights are reportedly resuming between Iraq and Belarus, following a suspension due to COVID-19. According to Shafaq, Iraqi Airways will operate one flight per week between Baghdad and Minsk. Meanwhile, Belta reports that Fly Baghdad will serve the same route on Mondays and Thursdays. (Sources: Belta, Shafaq)
By John Lee. Iraq is reportedly in talks with Russia, France and the United States regarding the construction of three civil nuclear reactors. According to The New Arab, the Head of the Iraqi Radioactive Sources Regulatory Authority (IRSRA) said that several preliminary meetings had been held to study the feasibility of setting up the reactors. […]
By John Lee. A fire at a Baghdad hospital treating COVID-19 patients has killed at least 82 people, and left more than 100 injured. The blaze, at the Ibn Khatib Hospital, was caused on Saturday night when an oxygen tank is said to have exploded. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has suspended the Minister of Health, […]
COVID-19 Dealt Heavy Blows to Iraqi Labour Market, Enterprises in 2020: IOM, FAO, ITC Study In early April, Iraq surpassed 900,000 COVID-19 cases. Necessary efforts to contain the spread of the virus throughout 2020 led to a reduction in economic activity; compounded by pre-existing economic challenges, drops in oil prices and the public health COVID-19 […]
By John Lee. The Chairwoman of the National Investment Commission (NIC), Suha Dawood Najar (pictured), has launched the NIC's new online portal for receiving investment applications. The new service went live on the NIC's website -- www.investpromo.gov.iq -- on Wednesday. It will allow investors to create their own accounts, make applications and submit all required […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi visited the head office of the National Investment Commission (NIC) on Wednesday and was briefed on the progress and obstacles facing investment in Iraq. According to a statement following the visit, the PM directed the cancellation of all licenses for investment projects whose completion rate is between 0 […]
By John Lee. During his visit to Amedi, US Consul General Rob Waller announced that the U.S. Department of State has awarded a $500,000 grant to preserve and protect Badinan Gate. A statement from the US Embassy said the US government is determined to help the IKR preserve and restore its remarkable cultural heritage, and […]
By John Lee. Iraq has fallen in the World Press Freedom Index for 2021, ranking 163rd out of 180 countries, down one place on last year. The result puts Iraq behind countries such as Turkey and Sudan, but ahead of Iran and Syria. First place went to Norway, with Eritrea coming last. Reporters Without Borders […]
