New Food Processing Plant opens in Al-Mahmoudiya
By John Lee.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani has officially opened the United Arab Company for Food Industries factories in Al-Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad.
The first phase includes pasta and noodle factories built on 20 percent of the 123-dunam [12 hectares; 30 acres] site, with an investment of 128 billion Iraqi dinars [$98 million].
The company currently employs 800 staff and aims to grow its workforce to over 1,000, targeting both the domestic and export markets.
Al-Sudani emphasised that while the government will facilitate investment and regulation, the private sector must lead Iraq's industrial renaissance.
(Source: Media Office of the Prime Minister)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Factories at risk: Water scarcity hurting strategic industries
Shafaq News/ Worsening water shortages in Iraq are disrupting key manufacturing sectors, Industry Minister Khaled Battal al-Najm warned, urging reforms to protect domestic production. Speaking at a National Industry Day event on Wednesday in Baghdad, al-Najm called for stronger protections at border crossings to ensure fair competition, citing lax enforcement by customs and trade authorities. He reaffirmed the government's focus on strategic industries including steel, sulfur, phosphate, pharmaceuticals, and electrical manufacturing. However, 'the private sector must lead this transformation' given limited public funding. Energy shortages remain the sector's biggest hurdle, according to al-Najm. 'No factory can operate profitably without reliable electricity and gas,' he stated, pointing to the lack of industrial financing from Iraqi banks. Iraq's deepening water crisis has further strained supply chains. Reduced river flows, worsened by upstream dams in Turkiye and Iran, along with poor domestic management have limited access to essential raw materials, including sugar, oils, and textiles. Looking ahead, al-Najm said fair market conditions could unlock private sector potential. 'With the right environment, this sector can play a pivotal role in national growth.'
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
KRG on salary crisis: International support needed
Shafaq News/ The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on Wednesday strongly criticized the Iraqi Ministry of Finance's decision to halt funding for public sector salaries, calling it 'unconstitutional, unlawful, and a form of collective punishment.' During its weekly session, chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the Council of Ministers affirmed that the Region had fulfilled all its obligations and submitted the required financial data transparently to the joint audit committee of both federal and regional oversight bodies. Prime Minister Barzani pointed to the 2025 agreement between the federal and regional finance ministries, which ensures the disbursement of full monthly salaries throughout the year. He also referenced a Federal Supreme Court ruling that disputes over the federal budget law must not be used to justify suspending salary payments, emphasizing the constitutional principle of equal treatment for all Iraqi citizens. The Council described the recent federal decision as politically driven and warned against any suspension of salary payments in the coming months, stating that such measures unfairly target the population of the Kurdistan Region. The KRG resolved to formally brief the international community and diplomatic representatives on the legal, constitutional, and financial aspects of the issue, urging support for a resolution within the framework of Iraq's constitution.
Iraqi News
3 hours ago
- Iraqi News
MOE signs contract for 600 MW power line between Iraq and Turkey
Baghdad – INA Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadhil sponsored the signing of a contract with the Turkish company Alifrin on Wednesday to double the capacity of the Iraq-Turkey power line from 300 to 600 MW. The ministry said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadhil sponsored the signing of a contract with the Turkish company Alifrin to double the capacity of the Iraq-Turkey power line from 300 to 600 MW." It added, "The new contract includes equipping the national system with 300 MW as a first phase via the Jazara-Kask 400 kV interconnection line in Nineveh Governorate, with the line's capacity to be increased to 600 MW within less than one month." It indicated that "the ministry's companies have already completed all technical requirements for the interconnection, including the necessary stations and lines, in addition to fulfilling all contractual obligations." The ministry explained that "this project will directly contribute to increasing the hours of supply to the northern regions. The Iraq-Turkey interconnection line also offers numerous strategic advantages, most notably linking the Iraqi grid to the European energy grid, of which Turkey is a prominent member." She noted that "one of the important aspects of this contract is that its provisions stipulate supply according to the "Take and Pay" system, which means payment for the amount consumed, which provides economic flexibility for Iraq and ensures optimal use of imported energy without financial waste." The ministry also added explained that "this project is part of the Ministry of Electricity's strategy within the government's program to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on a single source, as well as opening new horizons for cooperation with neighboring countries and the European Union."
