Author: Amr Salem
Exciting News: Iraq and Saudi Arabia are making strides in their relationship with the completion of the electrical interconnection between the two countries. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassbai recently discussed this achievement, along with ways to strengthen joint cooperation and reduce tension in the region. They also addressed the ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid through safe corridors. The meeting also highlighted preparations for the sixth session of the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council, showing a commitment to continued collaboration. Prime Minister Al-Sudani commended Saudi Arabia for their efforts…
Iraqi and Iranian Foreign Ministers Discuss Regional Developments The Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, recently met with the Caretaker Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Bagheri Kani, to discuss regional developments, including the ongoing war in Gaza. During a joint press conference following their meeting, Hussein expressed his satisfaction with the discussions they had. Hussein highlighted Iraq’s stance on achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and expressed concerns about the potential expansion of the Israeli war into Lebanon and its impact on the region. Kani also acknowledged the bilateral relations between Iran and Iraq and appreciated the solidarity…
Caretaker Iranian Foreign Minister Visits Baghdad to Promote Bilateral Relations Ali Bagheri Kani, the caretaker Iranian Foreign Minister, arrived in Baghdad on Thursday to strengthen ties and discuss regional issues with top Iraqi officials. Upon his arrival, Kani paid tribute to the memorial statues of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis near Baghdad International Airport. During his visit, Kani plans to meet with key figures such as President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and Acting Parliament Speaker Mohsen Al-Mandalawi. He will also engage with officials in the Kurdistan region, traveling to Erbil on Friday. Kani assumed his…
Iraqi Prime Minister Seeks Spanish Assistance in Reconstruction Efforts During a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at a conference in Jordan, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani expressed his desire for ministries in Iraq to collaborate with reputable Spanish companies for reconstruction projects. The two leaders discussed enhancing bilateral relations and increasing cooperation in various sectors. Al-Sudani accepted an invitation to visit Spain later this year, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen ties between the two nations. He praised Spain for its recognition of the State of Palestine, calling it a historic decision that aligns with the…
Transforming Iraq’s Oil Industry: A Vision for the Future In a bold move to enhance Iraq’s economy and maximize its oil resources, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani expressed his government’s commitment to converting 40 percent of the country’s oil exports into derivatives and refined products. This announcement came during a meeting with Crescent Petroleum Chairman Hamid Jafar, where the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of creating a conducive environment for investment. Al-Sudani emphasized the government’s efforts to attract experienced companies through financial incentives, ultimately leading to job creation and economic growth. The recent inauguration of a high-octane gasoline isomerization unit…
Progress Made in Talks to Resume Oil Exports from Northern Iraq The Iraqi Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul-Ghani, has announced that talks with officials from the Kurdistan region of Iraq and international oil firms are making progress towards an agreement to resume oil exports to the Turkish port of Ceyhan via the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline. After a meeting in Baghdad, Abdul-Ghani stated that an understanding is expected to be reached in the coming days. Since March 2023, the pipeline’s operations have been suspended due to legal and financial uncertainties. Despite challenges, both parties are optimistic about resolving the issues and…
Iraq Aims to Double Natural Gas Processing Capacity Within Four Years Despite a lack of sufficient infrastructure, Iraq is setting ambitious goals to increase its natural gas processing capacity to 100 percent within the next four years. Currently, Iraq extracts 3.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, but only processes 1.8 billion cubic feet per day, resulting in a significant difference of over one billion cubic feet. In efforts to reduce gas flaring, Iraq is expanding its production facilities and investing in new energy projects in southern governorates like Basra and Maysan. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani aims…
Connecting China’s Belt and Road with Iraq’s Development Road Project In a meeting with Dai Houliang, the chairman of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani discussed the potential of linking China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Iraq’s strategic Development Road project. The meeting addressed Iraq’s interest in developing gas projects, fertilizer industries, energy projects, a power plant, and a petrochemical factory. The Belt and Road Initiative, launched by China in 2013, aims to boost global trade and economic growth by investing in infrastructure projects in over 150 countries. The initiative has the potential to increase…
Officials from the Iraqi oil sector and Iraqi Kurdistan recently met to discuss the resumption of oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline to the Ceyhan port in Turkey. The pipeline, which previously accounted for 0.5 percent of the world’s oil supply, has been inactive since March 2023 due to legal and financial uncertainties. The meeting in Baghdad, attended by Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani and Kurdish officials, aimed to find a solution to the revenue distribution conflict between the federal government and the Kurdish authorities. While no final agreement has been reached yet, the discussions have been viewed positively.…
Iraq Increases Gasoline Production to Achieve Self-Sufficiency The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, announced that Iraq’s gasoline production has reached 24,800 cubic meters per day, a significant increase from 15,000 cubic meters per day in 2022. This milestone was marked by the inauguration of a high-octane gasoline isomerization unit in the Basra Refinery, a move that will help Iraq cover its oil derivative needs and reduce imports. Al-Sudani highlighted the importance of the new isomerization unit, which will increase Iraq’s high-octane gasoline production to 11,000 barrels per day and save more than $200 million annually by cutting down on…