Tag Archives | Scotland

Strengthening Ties between Kurdistan and Scotland

Karim Sinjari, the Kurdistan Regional Government's Interior Minister, yesterday met Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, who offered Scotland's cooperation in a wide range of fields and discussed ways to strengthen relations among the peoples of both nations. Minister Sinjari separately met Kenny MacAskill, Scotland's Justice Secretary, and visited the Scottish Police College. The meetings were […]

Powerwall sees Potential in Iraq

A Scottish manufacturer of prefabricated buildings has embarked on a major push into the Middle East as it targets construction projects in countries such as Libya and Iraq. Powerwall, which runs a ten-acre production site in Wishaw and employs about 80 staff, is also locked in talks with potential partners in a string of markets, […]

Aberdeen City Council to Encourage Energy Investment in Iraq

Aberdeen City Council has announced a new initiative to encourage North-east companies to explore business opportunities in Iraq. Upper Quartile, an Edinburgh-based economic development consultancy, will manage the programme, which will target the oil and gas sector, academic institutions and other contractors. Seminars will be held over the coming months to inform firms of the […]

Safety in Kurdistan

As an Iraq security analyst I often find that I am writing at length about violence, pain and causes for concern. However, for this blog entry I would like to make what I hope is a welcome exception. I regularly write about how violence has escalated in the north of Iraq, usually in relation to […]

Scotland Makes 1st Contribution to UN Trust Fund for Iraq

The Scottish Government has given £300,000£  ($480,000, 576 million Iraqi dinars) to the newly established United Nations Trust Fund for Iraq, the first contribution to be made against this Fund. The contribution of the Scottish Government will be allocated to water development in Iraq under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). “With this contribution […]

Iraqis' Renewed Taste for Whisky

In another sign of normality returning to battle-weary Iraq, the country is renewing its taste for Scotch whisky,according to a report in The Scotsman. David Gates, whisky director for drinks giant Diageo, said sales of the company's whiskies were on the rise after taking a pounding in recent years. Before the 2003 invasion, Iraq had […]