Niqash: briefings from inside and across Iraq 
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new government must negotiate with krg on oil
Just four months after the first barrel of oil left Kurdistan, in June 2009, conflicts between the Erbil government and Baghdad began mounting and exports ceased.
The two governments repeatedly announced the impending resolution of the conflict... more
independent media struggles to gain a foothold in iraq
It is two years since the newspaper al-Zaman al-Aan was shut down. Muhammad al-Rubaie, its Editor-In-Chief, still rues the day the dream ended. The paper could not attract enough advertising to cover its print costs, let alone make a profit.
"Our... more
out of stock
According to one Iraqi businessman, trading on the Iraqi stock market comes with few rewards. Only a few businessmen, investors and brokers are able to trade on it.
There is no culture of investment within Iraq and citizens do not have enough... more
government working to stop grove sales in karbala
Rida Yassin believes that if he were to farm for the rest of his life, he would never make the amount of money he recently received for the sale of one of his groves to a construction company in Karbala.
Yassin did not reveal the sum he received... more
refining iraq's economy
Within five years, Iraq will turn from an importer of petroleum products into the world’s largest exporter, according to the Oil Ministry’s new investment map, unveiled in Nassiriyah this week.
To achieve this, Iraq has opened the door wide... more
investors steering clear
For every plane landing in Basra International Airport bringing foreign businessmen, another two depart, carrying more back to their home countries.
Under government plans to attract investment, many investors visited Basra to explore the... more
trickle down
In dusty Diyala province, north of Baghdad, Asad Muhammad Abbas and Ismail Abdelamir Jawad, elders from Shifta village, sit in grey dishdashes and complain bitterly about the disgraceful behaviour of a neighbouring town. Farmers upstream of them... more
in the dark
A lack of electricity is a standard problem for Iraqis. They have suffered from the absence of power supply for decades.
No longer do they believe the promises they hear from officials who say that the future looks bright. The irony is not lost... more
what's the plan? fears of renewed central control
The Iraqi economy is familiar with Five Year Plans. In the 1970s, such plans contributed to industrial, agricultural, housing growth and to the overall economic boom. The Ministry of Planning’s new Five Year Plan for 2010-4, which was ratified... more
turkey looking for economic integration with kurdistan region
With bilateral trade between the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and Turkey reaching US$9 billion, Massoud Barzani, the Kurdistan Region Government President, formerly an enemy of the Turkish government, was invited recently to Turkey for talks on... more
iraq burns 70 billion dollars a year
Gas wealth in Iraq is not currently exploited adequately and its contribution to budget revenues remains insignificant. However, gas is a hugely important resource to the country and, if well used, can operate Iraq’s power stations – currently... more
"we need private investment," says krg
The Kurdistan Region Government (KRG) says investment in the region is growing with many foreign investors expressing their readiness to invest in the region.
“Currently 24 Arab and other countries are investing in the Kurdistan Region... more
import ban hits consumer pockets
Abu Jamil al-Khamis went to buy vegetables from a market place near al-Ahyaa bus station in Karbala and was shocked by the prices. One kilo of tomato was selling for a price of 1,250 Iraqi Dinars (over US$1).
“How is this possible?” he... more
the huge, hidden salaries of iraq's parliamentarians
The large salaries and extensive privileges granted to ministers and parliamentarians in Iraq have exhausted the state budget for the last 7 years. The way money was distributed among officials was also marred by a lack of transparency. Until... more
unity on economy the key
Despite the many differences among competing political parties, blocs, movements and entities in the forthcoming elections over Iraq’s future, they all share similar solutions for the economy. Economic liberalisation, privatisation and increased... more
al-maliki gambles on the deficit
Iraq’s 2010 budget, considered one of the most controversial in the country’s history, was finally endorsed at the end of January by parliament and the presidential council. The US$72 billion (84 trillion dinar) bill was divided between funding... more
cost of housing is 'number one problem' in kurdistan
A survey conducted by the Kurdistan Institution for Political Issues (KIPI), released on 13th January, showed that the cost of housing in the region is people’s number one cause for concern.
The survey was carried out in the three provinces... more
failure to pass economic laws is jeopardizing iraq's economy
Experts and parliamentarians believe the delay in passing major economic laws in the current parliamentary session has cost Iraq billions of dollars in losses at a time when the country needs every penny available for its reconstruction... more
the communications and media commission: we provide the state with billions of dollars
As the parliamentary elections draw near in Iraq, the National Communications and Media Commission of Iraq (CMC), has become more intensively involved in its task of organising communications and broadcasting in Iraq in the run up to national... more
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Dr.Ranj Aqrawy: "First of all my regard to every body..."