By John Lee. United States Ambassador Stephen Beecroft (pictured) inaugurated the U.S. Pavilion at the 39th Baghdad International Fair. The U.S. Pavilion houses booths for over 35 organizations, including 24 companies, seven universities, and three U.S. government agencies. The Pavilion features bilingual staff to welcome visitors and connect them with appropriate companies or universities, as […]
By Mustafa Habib. This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Over the past two decades the outcome of the US presidential elections has been hotly debated by Iraqis. However this year, the approaching American cliff-hanger hardly […]
President Masoud Barzani welcomed the largest ever American business delegation this week which was visiting Kurdistan to explore investment opportunities in the Kurdistan Region and to participate in the Erbil International Fair. The US-Kurdistan Business Council (USKBC) brought a 48-member delegation, representing 30 companies in diverse sectors, to meet with various KRG officials in Erbil […]
On October 11, 2012, Ambassador Robert Stephen Beecroft (pictured) arrived in Baghdad and was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq in a ceremony at the Embassy of the United States of America. He will present his credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President Talabani at the earliest opportunity. Ambassador […]
By John Lee. The United States-Kurdistan Business Council (USKBC) board members received a private briefing from senior Iraqi Kurdish officials about economic development in the Kurdistan Region and the political situation in Iraq. The briefing, chaired by USKBC CEO, General James Jones (USMC-Ret), was with Dr. Fuad Hussein, Chief of Staff to Kurdistan Region of […]
By John Lee. The Governments of the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America reaffirmed their strategic partnership during a meeting of the Political and Diplomatic Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on September 2, in Baghdad. This meeting, held at the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was co-chaired by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari […]
By John Lee. Earlier this month, the US accused Elaf Islamic Bank of doing business with Iranian banks that had been blacklisted. According to a news report from NBC, Iraq's central bank has been transferring dollars to Iran, helping Iran stay afloat in spite sanctions. It now appears President Maliki may be involved. NBC’s Andrea […]
By John Lee. President Barack Obama has said that Iraq's Elaf Islamic Bank carried out "transactions worth millions of dollars" on behalf of Iranian banks that had been blacklisted because of their to Iran's nuclear programme. "We will expose any financial institution, no matter where they are located, that allows the increasingly desperate Iranian regime […]
By John Lee. Following months of speculation, France's Total has announced the completion of an acquisition of 35% interest in two exploration blocks in Iraqi Kurdistan. In a brief statement, the company said: "Total ... announced the signature of a Farm-in Agreement in two exploration blocks in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. "Total has completed an […]
By John Lee. America's second-largest energy company, Chevron Corporation, may buy the rights to two oil exploration zones in Iraqi Kurdistan. According to a report from region from the Sunday Times in London, it would acquire the rights from Reliance Industries, India's largest private sector enterprise. The deal, which may be announced this week, is […]
President Masoud Barzani welcomed US Ambassador James Jeffrey on Sunday for a farewell visit to the Region as he concludes his term in Iraq. Ambassador Jeffrey thanked President Barzani and the Kurdistan Regional Government for their important role during his two year posting in Iraq. “I thank you for your support and cooperation. Under your […]
US President Barack Obama has nominated a former member of president George W. Bush's national security staff to be the next US ambassador to Iraq, according to AFP. Brett McGurk is currently senior advisor to US Ambassador James Jeffrey, and served in Baghdad as senior advisor to the previous two US ambassadors, Ryan Crocker and […]
