By Padraig O'Hannelly. Iraq's Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and General Works has presented details of reconstruction projects underway in areas affected by terrorism. Dr Dara Reshid, who is also Vice President of the Reconstruction Fund for Areas Affected by Terroristic Operations (REFAATO), told CWC's Kirkuk & Mosul Megaprojects conference in […]
By John Lee. A new report by Ali Al-Mawlawi (pictured) argues that the targets of Iraq's National Development Plan (NDP) are far too optimistic. In a paper for the Al-Bayan Center for Planning and Studies, entitled "Iraq’s National Development Strategies: Exploring Weaknesses in Policy Planning and Investment", he says greater coordination is required between the […]
By John Lee. A major hackathon weekend is planned to take place in Slemani (Sulaymaniyah) on the weekend of 8th to 10th August. HackaSuly describes itself as "the largest international hackathon in Iraq that brings the coding community together over a weekend to work in teams and turn their ideas into technological solutions". More here.
By John Lee. Baghdad has reportedly banned the import of table salt, noodles and pasta from Turkey. This follows import bans on eggs and ice cream imposed earlier this year. According to Daily Sabah, the ban will take effect after 60 days and will remain in force for a year. (Source: Daily Sabah)
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor denounced the kidnapping of a civil activist and prominent academic in Basra province in Iraq, as well as the arrest campaigns carried out by the Iraqi security services against activists leading peaceful protests against corruption in the country. According to local sources, Kazem Al-Sahlani was kidnapped because of his prominent […]
Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon have committed to digitally transform their countries, discussing their roadmaps to support the Mashreq region's integration into the rapidly evolving global digital economy. The commitments came on the first day of the landmark, high-level forum on Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Development in Mashreq, which was hosted by the Government of Jordan […]
By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Basra protests build in Iraq as sub-standard services persist In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Iraqi Minister of Electricity Luay al-Khatteeb talked about the situation of Iraq’s electricity sector amid tense […]
By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Cancer hits residents of Iraqi oil city of Basra The deputy governor of Basra province, Zahra al-Bijari, claimed June 6 that cancer rates have been growing dramatically in the province as a […]
This weekend, the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) hosted its annual members’ retreat at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Park, which was generously sponsored by Al Burhan Group. As with previous years, it was very well attended by over seventy delegates, and allowed our members to mingle and network with representatives of other businesses, civil servants, and […]
By John Lee. Ride-hailing company Careem is reported to be testing a new system that allows people in Iraq to book rides using WhatsApp. According to al-Bawaba, WhatsApp penetration is as high as 80 percent in Iraq, a country with low internet connectivity and a high dependency on cash, so the new scheme simplifies the […]
By John Lee. Iraq and the Netherlands have signed a double taxation agreement on Monday. Iraqi Finance Minister Fuad Hussein is quoted as saying that avoiding double taxation will improve the business environment and help to attract foreign businesses and investments to Iraq. (Sources: Iraqi Ministry of Finance, Kurdistan 24)
Five years on from ISIL ‘caliphate’ proclamation in Iraq, Security Council makes first-ever visit The UN Security Council has concluded a first-ever visit to Iraq on Saturday, five years on from the proclamation, by the ISIL terrorist group, of a “caliphate” in the country. The visit, which also took in a trip to Kuwait, saw […]
