Archive for September, 2009

Iraq Economic Environment

Monday, September 7th, 2009

The general economic picture has substantially improved. Inflation came down from 17% to 12% in 2008. Major steps have been taken to open up the oil sector to international oil companies. Iraq’s trade volumes continue to grow and substantial investment opportunities are emerging.

Long term, the most effective security solution is economic growth and job creation. The Central Bank of Iraq is fighting a successful battle against inflation and the currency is strengthening.

Past obstructions to effective business are being removed, and Iraq is doing everything possible to help its private sector flourish. Thus, through an open trade and investment regime, an investor-friendly business environment is developing.

There are different legal regimes to attract foreign investment. Today, in most cases, foreign investors have been granted the same rights as national investors vis-à-vis their investments. Iraq’s new Investment Law, approved in 2006, guarantees a climate where foreign investment is facilitated.

Eng. Kadhum

Iraq plans to build Large Port in Arabian Gulf

Monday, September 7th, 2009
Iraq Port

Iraq Port

An Iraqi transport ministry delegation is discussing in Rome a project to build a giant port on the coast of the Arabian Gulf.

Iraq, which has a Arabian Gulf coastline of less than 100 kilometers (60 miles), has so far only one deep sea commercial port, Umm Qasr (Basra Province), with 4 small port plus the oil deep sea port.

According to the project, the port will be based in Al-Fao, a seaside town in the estuary of the Shatt al-Arab river. It will also have a number of first-class hotels and will be linked to the country’s road network by a high-speed motorway.

The estimated value of the project is $20 billion. The tender for the construction of the port has yet to be officially announced

Eng. Kadhum