Cursor International executes projects and collaboration activities across several industries.
By John Lee.
Iran’s Minister of Energy has said that a euro account is to be opened in Baghdad so that Iraq can pay its debts to Iran for electricity and natural gas purchases.
IRNA reports that Reza Ardakanian added that the same account can be used for Iraq’s debts to Iranian private sector companies.
(Source: IRNA)
The post Iraq to use Euro Account to pay Iran Debts first appeared on Iraq Business News.
By John Lee.
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masrour Barzani, has nominated Dr. Kamal Atroshi to the post of Minister of Natural Resources, a position which includes responsibility for the oil and gas portfolio.
A statement from KRG spokesperson Dr. Jotiar Adil said, “It is our hope that the Kurdistan Parliament includes this topic in its next session and provides a vote of confidence“.
According to his Linked-In profile, Dr al-Atroshi was educated in Iraq and France, and has worked extensively in the oil sector in Kuwait. He has held positions with the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC), Gas & Oil Field Services Company (GOFSCO), and Total.
(Sources: Kurdistan Regional Government, Linked-In)
The post KRG proposes new Minister of Natural Resources first appeared on Iraq Business News.
By John Lee.
Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has announced initial oil exports for December of 88,211,750 barrels, giving an average for the month of 2.846 million barrels per day (bpd), down from the 2.709 million bpd exported in November.
These exports from the oilfields in central and southern Iraq amounted to approximately 85,195,608 barrels, while exports from Kirkuk amounted to 3,016,142 barrels.
Revenues for the month were $4.213 billion at an average price of $47.765 per barrel.
November‘s export figures can be found here.
(Source: Ministry of Oil)
The post Iraq Increases Oil Exports for December first appeared on Iraq Business News.
By John Lee.
The National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) has reportedly cut supplies of gas to Iraq due to Iraq’s arrears of more than $6 billion.
According to Reuters, Iran’s Energy Minister is scheduled to visit Baghdad on Tuesday to discuss the matter.
(Sources: Shana, Reuters)
The post Iran Cuts Gas to Iraq due to Unpaid Bills first appeared on Iraq Business News.
Sweden reaffirms partnership with UNDP to support vulnerable Iraqis
The Government of Sweden, represented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a three-year, SEK 140 million* (US$ 16.4 million) agreement to further support vulnerable communities in Iraq.
Sweden’s contribution will be channelled through UNDP’s Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS), which implements fast-track initiatives in areas liberated from ISIL. This is Sweden’s sixth contribution to UNDP’s FFS, bringing its total support to US$60.5 million, since the Facility was founded in 2015.
Based on stabilization priorities identified by national counterparts, FFS works to quickly restore essential public infrastructure, provides short-term employment opportunities, boost local livelihoods and economies, capacity support, and facilitates peaceful reconciliation in communities liberated from ISIL.
“This month marks three years since Iraq was officially liberated from ISIL. Yet 1.28 million Iraqis remain displaced. Our support to Iraqi authorities and citizens is critical to meet the needs of internally displaced persons returning to their areas of origin, especially considering the disproportionately negative impact of COVID-19 on these vulnerable groups,” says the UNDP Resident Representative for Iraq, Zena Ali Ahmad.
“We are extremely grateful to Sweden for this critical additional contribution, and its unwavering support to stability in Iraq,” adds Ms. Ali-Ahmad.
“Sweden remains committed to support the stabilization efforts in Iraq, especially in order to facilitate the return of remaining internally displaced persons. We emphasize the importance of gender equality, human rights and sustainable development in all of these programmes, including a conflict perspective promoting social cohesion in the communities,” says the Head of the MENA Division at Sida, Eva Gibson Smedberg.
With the support of 28 partners, including Sweden, FFS has completed over 2,650 stabilization projects in Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah al-Din, benefitting nearly 11 million people.
(Source: UN)
The post Sweden, UNDP supporting Vulnerable Iraqis first appeared on Iraq Business News.
By John Lee.
The Iraqi Cabinet has approved a refinery project with a capacity of 100,000 barrels per day in Dhi Qar province.
A Cabinet Spokesperson said the project will be implemented by three investment companies, but did not name them.
(Source: Govt of Iraq)
The post Cabinet approves New Refinery in Dhi Qar first appeared on Iraq Business News.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Environment, and in cooperation with Missan Governorate launched the Haweizah population support project for combatting climate change. The project is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
The project was launched in Missan Governorate. Attendees included members from UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) as well as technical staff members of the Ministry of Health and Environment, representatives of the Governorate and local municipalities and Civil Society Organizations.
This two-year national project aims to support the marshland communities and enable them to withstand the risks associated with climate change that causes climatic disasters like recurrent droughts, which constitute a threat multiplier to the population. These droughts lead to a heightened poverty rates and migration due to water shortages and deteriorating environmental systems, which negatively affect peoples’ livelihoods.
The undersecretary of technical affairs at the Ministry of Health and Environment, Dr. Jasim Hamadi said:
“The Ministry, in cooperation with UNDP Iraq has endeavored to provide all the technical requirements to prepare the draft project document, based on our belief in the importance of these marshlands.
“We affirm our full commitment to this project to ensure that it will be a starting point for a genuine effort to support the marshland areas and their local communities by adopting new projects that aim to develop the socio-economic conditions of these areas, which are considered a significant cultural and environmental heritage not only to Iraq but also to the world.“
The project ensures innovative solutions for providing potable water to support the resettlement of the communities at Al-Huweizah marshlands. It also aims to promote livelihood diversification through development of eco-tourism, providing employment for women and youth, and building the capacities of the local staff and communities for operating water plants and activating women’s awareness, in addition to providing eco-tourism education that helps attract investment in the Governorate.
Missan Governor, Mr. Ali Dawai said:
“We expect that this project will be very successful, given that it directly targets and supports the local communities of Haweizah marshlands and provides an adequate environment to combat climate change.”
“The Missan Governorate is fully prepared to support and oversee this project to ensure its success, thanks to the services it will provide to the Marshland population.”
In her speech at the project launching workshop, Resident Representative of the UNDP Iraq, Zeina Ali Ahmad said:
“The subject of climate change is highly significant at present, and needs an immediate response from all countries to combat the changes in climate that can aggravate the suffering of the population and increase internal displacement and emigration.
“This project has been adopted to upgrade adaptability in the area, and its goals have been drafted to meet the needs of the local population and reduce displacement, targeting in particular the most vulnerable groups.“
The workshop was followed by an inaugural meeting of the project steering committee, through which the project action plan for 2021 has been presented. This action plan will be approved by the members after setting the priorities.
(Source: UN)
The post Combating Climate Change in Iraq first appeared on Iraq Business News.
Iraq will begin exporting fuel to Lebanon starting January 2021 at “global prices”, Minister of Oil Ihsan Abdul Jabbar announced.
Abdul Jabbar’s remarks came in a statement on Monday after his meeting with his Lebanese counterpart, Raymond Ghajar, in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad.
“Exported fuel will be part of a surplus over the Iraqi refineries’ current demand,” the minister pointed out, adding that the supply would be “limited and to be announced later.”
He noted that the exports were expected to cover the “requirements of the Lebanese power stations to generate electricity”, the Middle East Monitor reported.
On his part, Ghajar told reporters that the meeting had discussed an “expansion in bilateral relations between the two countries.”
Lebanon has been suffering from a severe lack of power for years, with most residential and commercial establishments dependent on generators.
(Source: Tasnim, under Creative Commons licence)
The post Iraq to Export Fuel to Lebanon in 2021 first appeared on Iraq Business News.
Unearmarked funds from the Kingdom of Sweden help UNHCR meet the changing needs in Iraq
UNHCR welcomes the recent contribution of 9 million Swedish Krona (~ USD 1 million) towards UNHCR’s protection and assistance programmes to support vulnerable displaced persons in Iraq.
This is in addition to the 10 million Swedish Krona (~USD 1.17 million) previously granted towards UNHCR operations in Iraq, bringing Sweden’s total contribution in 2020 by the Kingdom of Sweden to 19 million Swedish Krona (~ USD 2.23 million).
Many communities include refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees, as well as host communities are struggling through a dire economic downturn. At a time when communities in Iraq were expecting stability and recovery, the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged and has further impacted vulnerable communities.
UNHCR and its partners moved promptly to adjust the response accordingly and ensure much needed humanitarian operations continued. This adjustment would not have been possible without the flexibility and generosity of donor countries, including the Kingdom of Sweden.
Flexible funding was vital again this month as UNHCR ramps up support to Iraqi returnees amid the large-scale closure of the Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps.
Together with partners, UNHCR accelerated its programme to release seasonal cash assistance to help newly returning families meet their immediate needs in the coming winter months and provide legal assistance to families to obtain civil and property documentation.
Mr. Lars Ronnås, the Ambassador of Sweden to Iraq stated:
“Humanitarian needs increase in Iraq. Every woman, man, girl and boy living in a dire situation should be given a chance to improve their living conditions. Right now, UNHCR’s efforts to save lives and alleviate suffering are highly valuable and important.”
Philippa Candler, UNHCR’s Representative, said:
“This generous and flexible contribution by the Kingdom of Sweden enables us to stand by vulnerable families when they need help the most, to provide them with the support and protection efficiently and in a timely manner.”
Sweden is one of UNHCR’s largest donors of unearmarked contributions. Such continued, unearmarked support from donors remains vital for millions of families as well as for stability and durable solutions in Iraq.
(Source: UN)
The post Sweden Increases Funding to UNHCR in Iraq first appeared on Iraq Business News.
By Al Monitor staff. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.
Iraq closes land borders, restaurants with new anti-virus measures
The Iraqi government announced a series of strict measures to combat COVID-19 on Tuesday.
All land border crossings, restaurants and malls will be closed for two weeks starting on Thursday, the federal government announced on Twitter.
Click here to read the full story.
The post COVID: Iraq Closes Land Borders, Restaurants first appeared on Iraq Business News.