
Saudi Company discusses Petrochemical Partnership in Basra
Iraq's Minister of Industry and Minerals, Khaled Battal Al-Najm, chaired a meeting at the Ministry's headquarters to explore a potential partnership agreement with Saudi company Ajyal for the establishment of a petrochemical complex in Basra.
The proposed complex would be built on the site of the State Company for Petrochemical Industries in Basra Province.
During the meeting, participants discussed the terms of the potential partnership and evaluated proposed mechanisms for supplying the project with natural gas, LPG, or alternative energy sources. Technical and legal considerations were also reviewed.
Minister Al-Najm emphasised the strategic importance of the project, describing it as one of the ministry's most promising initiatives to revive and develop Iraq's strategic industries and strengthen the national industrial base. He directed the continuation of negotiations and coordination with relevant parties to secure the necessary requirements to advance the project.
(Source: Ministry of Industry and Minerals)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraq Business
11 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Govt Denies Destruction of 62 Trillion Iraqi Dinar
By John Lee. The Financial Adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Dr. Mudhhir Mohammed Saleh, has firmly denied social media rumours claiming the destruction of half of Iraq's currency supply - approximately 62 trillion dinars [$47 billion] - as " economically absurd and completely unfounded ". In remarks to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) , Saleh clarified that Iraq's total issued monetary mass does not exceed 100 trillion dinars, including both circulating and reserve cash. The notion that more than half of this amount could be destroyed by environmental or biological factors - as claimed in rumours citing " rats and mice " - is " impossible and institutionally unthinkable ". He explained that about 88 percent of Iraq's money supply is held outside the banking system, largely by individuals due to longstanding cultural habits, not stored in a single location that could suffer such widespread damage. Saleh stressed that Iraq's currency management is governed by strict procedures covering printing, storage, inspection, and replacement. " Such a massive loss could not occur without detection, " he said, denouncing the rumours as a deliberate attempt to stir public anxiety. He urged citizens to avoid spreading fabricated news that undermines public trust, especially during a period requiring national cohesion and confidence in the country's financial institutions. (Source: INA)


Iraq Business
2 days ago
- Iraq Business
Iraq Reduces Foreign Debt Liabilities
By John Lee. Iraq's state-owned Rafidain Bank has announced that it has "completed" 87 percent of its foreign debt obligations through high-level legal and financial negotiations, significantly reducing the country's external liabilities. As part of Iraq's adherence to the Paris Club Agreement and with direct Cabinet approval, the bank concluded major settlements with Dutch and French creditor companies. The most notable was under Cabinet Resolution No. 403 of 2025, which settled three Dutch lawsuits with a waiver exceeding 90 percent of the claimed amounts in favour of the bank. Additionally, the bank achieved key legal victories in Turkey and Lebanon, recovering over $2.8 million in assets. According to a statement from Rafidain, this highlights the competence of Iraq's legal apparatus in defending state interests abroad. Rafidain Bank confirmed it is pursuing final settlements to close the remaining debt portfolio, aiming to bolster Iraq's sovereign credit rating and reinforce global confidence in its fiscal governance. (Source: Rafidain Bank)


Iraq Business
2 days ago
- Iraq Business
PPP Contracts to Develop Starch and Soap Factories in Iraq
By John Lee. The General Company for Food Products, part of Iraq's Ministry of Industry and Minerals, has signed two public-private partnership agreements to rehabilitate and develop its starch and dextrin factory in Babil province and the Al-Ameen soap and detergents factory. According to Director General Eng. Haider Shwia Mazal, these partnerships aim to modernise production lines and supply high-quality national products that meet domestic market demands. The first contract includes the installation of integrated production lines at the starch and dextrin facility, such as a dry corn milling plant, a bottled water production line, a gelatinised starch production unit, and a corn gypsum production unit. The second contract involves the development of the Al-Ameen factory through new production lines and the addition of various products, including solid soaps (toilet and laurel), liquid soaps, dishwashing liquid, glass cleaner, carpet cleaner, and car shampoo. Mazal emphasised that such partnerships reflect a successful model of cooperation between the public sector and specialised private companies, aiming to support the local economy and promote reliance on Iraqi-made products. (Source: Ministry of Industry and Minerals)