Iraq’s Umm Qasr commodities port is expected to be fully operational on Monday or Tuesday, three port officials said today (July 15), after it was shut down by protests sweeping southern cities.

The officials said all employees needed to return and the internet needed to be restored at the facility, which receives grain, vegetable oils, sugar and equipment for energy companies, according to Reuters.

nrttv

The Minister of Planning Salman al-Jumaili, who heads the Iraqi side in the Iraqi-Saudi Council, is scheduled to head to Jeddah on Wednesday to lead a high-level delegation to discuss a number of issues, including energy.

The ministry's press office said in a statement on Tuesday (July 17) that the visit of the Minister of Planning, Jumaili, with an accompanying delegation, comes at the behest of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

For"...

Crude oil prices were down on Tuesday (July 17), compared to the previous close.

The price of Brent oil was at $71.72, down from $71.84 previous close, and US WTI crude was at $67.00, from $67.07.

OPEC agreed on June 22 on an increase in oil production from July after Saudi Arabia convinced Iran to cooperate by about 1 million barrels per day (bpd), or one percent of global"...

On Thursday 19th July, myself and Tracy Hollowood are taking part in the Run Media City 5K – to raise awareness of the educational achievements and mental health services of the AMAR Foundation in Iraq.

This run is different to my involvement on the Great Manchester Run in May – as this"...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently released a report on promoting growth and inclusiveness in the Middle East and North Africa, showing that about 80 percent of Kuwaitis believe the use of ‘wasta’ (influence) is necessary to secure jobs — the third highest after Lebanon and Jordan, and the highest in the Gulf, reports Al-Qabas daily.

According to the report, less than 76 percent of Emiratis believe that ‘wasta’"...

A.M. Best has been voted the International Best Ratings Agency for Takaful at the International Takaful Awards 2018, held in conjunction with the 12th International Takaful Summit in London. This is the fourth consecutive year that A.M. Best has won the award.

The International Takaful Awards recognise the achievements of companies that have made significant contributions and shown leadership in the (re)takaful sector.

Roger"...

The President of the Chinese Business Council in the UAE has said that the upcoming visit of President Xi Jinping of China to the UAE will help boost economic ties between the two countries and will also create additional commercial links, to achieve the mutual goals of the business communities of both countries.

Huang Jang Zhang told the media that the economic and investment ties between the two countries reflect their keenness to promote investments and development projects.

He described the UAE"...

Pakistan’s central bank devalued the rupee for the fourth time since December seeking to slow depletion of its foreign-exchange reserves before a national election in nine days.

The currency, whose rate is set by the central bank, dropped as low as 5.3 per cent to 128 a dollar at the close, according to State Bank of Pakistan data compiled on Bloomberg. The rupee is the worst performer in Asia this year, according to a basket of 13 currencies"...

Iraq’s electricity minister is expected to head to Saudi Arabia this week to sign cooperation deal.

Local news outlets have been reporting that Iraqi Prime Minister had ordered Electricity Minister Qasim al-Fahadawi to visit Riyadh to strike a joint deal after days of public unrest in the country poor services sweeping southern cities.

alarabiya