Guys this thread is for posting news about people or companies wanting to invest in Iraq's infrastructures

Al Habtoor Leighton looks to Iraq - report

by Ed AttwoodThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Sunday, 21 February 2010
DOWNTURN: UAE contracting giant Al Habtoor Leighton is looking to Iraq as its home market slows.

Local contracting giant Al Habtoor Leighton is considering the launch of a branch in Iraq as business in its UAE home market slows.

A joint venture between Dubai’s Al Habtoor Engineering and Australia’s Leighton International, the company believes that an easing regulatory environment and stronger security will provide opportunities for construction firms.

“We are exploring new tenders in infrastructure, buildings and ports,” Abdullah Muwahid, the associate director of Al Habtoor Leighton, told the National.

“Previously when we went there, the war was bad but now we are looking seriously about opening a branch in Iraq.”

Related: Habtoor Group eyes $8.2bn building deals in 2010
Story continues below ↓
advertisement

Muwahid specified Basra as a location where Al Habtoor Leighton was looking at bidding for tenders.

The newspaper added that the slowdown in construction in the UAE had cost Al Habtoor Leighton as much as $3.3bn in terms of cancelled contracts.

In January, Reuters reported that the joint venture was hoping to win contracts worth $8.2bn in 2010.

Al Habtoor Leighton also revealed that it may float its engineering unit or the entire group in the third quarter of 2010, with possible listings in Dubai and London.

Great idea dude ! I always come across news articles about construction plans, but I don't want to start new threads for them because I don't have enough info. We should instead post it in this thread until enough info becomes available and open up a new thread.

Dutch firm IPS to launch investment ventures in Basra

Basra’s Governor Shaltagh Abboud al-Mayyah said on Sunday that he discussed with the Dutch company IPS means of launching investment ventures in the southern Iraq city.

“The meeting with the Dutch delegation dealt with ventures in the sector of sanitary sewage and dams, including the construction of a dam on the Shatt al-Arab waterway,” Mayyah told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Shatt al Arab is a river in southeastern Iraq, formed by the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It is about 193 km long and empties into the Persian Gulf. The lower part of its course forms the boundary between Iraq and Iran.

“The Dutch delegation was briefed on the initial information about the project and showed an inclination to carry out projects to upgrade sewage networks,” he said.

The oil-rich port city of Basra lies 590 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad

would this be the IPS group? the slightly dodgy "recruitment" firm? as opposed to a proper construction firm?

what kind of jokers are these iraqi muppets? are they really that dumb or are they just taking the pi*s out of the people?

would this be the IPS group? the slightly dodgy "recruitment" firm? as opposed to a proper construction firm?

what kind of jokers are these iraqi muppets? are they really that dumb or are they just taking the pi*s out of the people?


Sheytanelkebir...stop ur maddness lol what is your definition of proper constrcution firm ?

Sheytanelkebir...stop ur maddness lol what is your definition of proper constrcution firm ?

one that actually builds stuff!!! and has a demonstrable skill and background in projects... AFAIK IPS is just a "recruitment agent"... how on earth do they get such contracts?

one that actually builds stuff!!! and has a demonstrable skill and background in projects... AFAIK IPS is just a "recruitment agent"... how on earth do they get such contracts?


I looked up on the internet and found a couple of engineering and non engineering companies called IPS..so i doesn't necessarily mean it's the ''recruitment'' one doing the job. btw what ever happen to ur specialisation on Iraqi military posts on Al iraqi forum?

i am posting on dedicated mil forums/blogs only. ;) and don't have much in the way of reliable internet when "in country"...

what other dutch company called IPS and dealing with port construction is there? do send linky!

^^ Is this the IPS you're talking about ?

http://www.ipspersonnel.com/index.php?tl=1

that's the one.

its a recruiting firm for projects. not a project management / consultancy / EPC... is this the company that has the prime contract for the faw port? have they got any other such contracts in the world?

^^ who said they got anything to do with al-faw ?

it says they will work on sewage and shat-al-arab development

^^ who said they got anything to do with al-faw ?

it says they will work on sewage and shat-al-arab development

ooops. my bad! the faw port is given to technital!

yes. shatt al arab developments etc... how can you have a recruitment firm come in for such a thing?? its ridiculous! its an HR company!

ooops. my bad! the faw port is given to technital!

yes. shatt al arab developments etc... how can you have a recruitment firm come in for such a thing?? its ridiculous! its an HR company!

'' IPS Group is a renown international recruitment and crewing agency for the maritime, dredging, offshore and tunnelling industry. In a dynamic market, IPS Group is a loyal employer for her employees and a reliable business partner for customers. Our core business is to solve personnel issues in a flexible manner.''

Probably they are recruiting the people to do the work..

'' IPS Group is a renown international recruitment and crewing agency for the maritime, dredging, offshore and tunnelling industry. In a dynamic market, IPS Group is a loyal employer for her employees and a reliable business partner for customers. Our core business is to solve personnel issues in a flexible manner.''

Probably they are recruiting the people to do the work..

recruiting for who? They would be small subcontractors to the main contractors who have the work... they really have no business taking contracts? so who are the actual contractors???

think about it. such small recruiting firms are completely out of place there! imagine if instead of BP negotiating the oil field deals, a small subcontractor providing canteen services to BP took the contract!

Thanks for the info guys !! Looks like I shall visit this section more often...:)

Contract signed to establish tourist resort in Diala

April 13, 2010 - 07:48:02
DIALA / Aswat al-Iraq: The Diala Investment Commission has signed a contract to set up a tourist resort, the biggest in Iraq, the DIC chairman said on Tuesday.
“The contract was signed with an Iraqi investor, who lives in the United Arab Emirates, to establish a tourist resort in the region between Hamrien mountains in Khanaqin and al-Azeem district in Khales,” Rasem Ismail told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The project, which will be carried out by 25 companies in two stages, includes setting up five-star hotels, artificial lakes entertainment centers as well as bridges and roads to link the resort with Baghdad,” he added.
Baaquba, the capital of Diala, lies 57 km northeast of Baghdad.

ID46 billion for 5 bridges in Baghdad

April 14, 2010 - 08:01:58
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Baghdad’s Mayoralty has allocated ID 46 billion to execute five bridges in the Iraqi capital.
“The funds are part of the 2010 investment plan,” the mayoralty said in a release received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

$21 million residential compound in Diwaniya

April 14, 2010 - 06:21:34
DIWANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq: An Iraqi investor got a license to establish a residential compound in southern Diwaniya, according to chairman of the Diwaniya Investment Commission.
“The commission provided a license to Abdulkarim Hatef al-Zubaidi, an Iraqi investor, to establish a residential compound in southern Diwaniya at a cost of $21.240 million within 36 months,” Hakem al-Khuzaie told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The project includes setting up 700 housing units, 350 stores, in addition to a number of garages,” he added.
Diwaniya is 180 km south of Baghdad.

18/April/2010

Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2010

Mane Mall ,Erbil , Iraq

http://i40.tinypic.com/1zfs953.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/20gigsz.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/2uen3mh.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/11hqsr6.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/34qlnur.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/4syzbb.jpg

60 foreign firms propose to execute railroad around Baghdad

April 18, 2010 - 11:23:43
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: More than 60 foreign firms have proposed to execute a railroad around Baghdad.
“The firms are based in Germany, France, Italy, U.S., South Korea, Turkey, China, Canada, Britain, and Iran,” Iraqi Transportation Ministry said in a release on Sunday received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
It explained that the project will be among the biggest railroad systems in the Middle East and Arab world.

Canadian firm to invest in 5,000 housing units in Baghdad
April 19, 2010 - 09:27:01

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A Canadian firm is investing $299 million in 5,000 housing units in Baghdad.
“The units will compose a complete city including all the related services,” the Baghdad Investment Commission said in a release on Monday received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
It said that at least 20 thousand people will live in this city.

60 foreign firms propose to execute railroad around Baghdad

April 18, 2010 - 11:23:43
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: More than 60 foreign firms have proposed to execute a railroad around Baghdad.
“The firms are based in Germany, France, Italy, U.S., South Korea, Turkey, China, Canada, Britain, and Iran,” Iraqi Transportation Ministry said in a release on Sunday received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
It explained that the project will be among the biggest railroad systems in the Middle East and Arab world.

pff railroads...the only time i saw articles like that was in history class when the railroad just arrived to north america back in 1800's..these days its all about TGV and UNDERGROUND METRO NOT RAILROADS!

^^ railroads are still needed for the logistics industry, even in Europe and north america where TGV is used mostly for public transport.

^^ exactly, railways are still needed to transport goods from other countries like turkey into iraq or even across iraq...

Housing and a link-up of ministries typify the current ambitions in Iraq's capital.

There is a lot going on in Iraq at the moment - too much, quite frankly for most who simply want to make a living with mechanics or in construction to be concerned with. With Iraq's government in even greater upheaval than normal amid the legal wrangles of the election, it would have taken a lot for construction and development in the capital to retain the headlines.

However, three major announcements which many PMV professionals might have missed may well bring the area back into a country in which business can be done. Firstly, the General Secretariat approved the referral of the Al Raheed residential complex last week to an unnamed UAE company at a cost of more than US $20 billion (AED 73.4 billion) - heralding one of the largest investment projects in its history.

The decision was reached following protracted meetings of the Council of Ministers, according to Ali Al Alaak, UN Secretary-General of the Cabinet, with the Emirates company the pick of three shortlisted. The infrastructure project is to be presented to the next cabinet, he added, with the final signings expected within the next few weeks after modifications and resubmission by the Investment Authority.

This came soon after an announcement by the Investment Commission that it had awarded eight investment permits to projects in the capital. In a statement to Aswat Al-Iraq news agency, the Commission said it had prioritised housing, of which it aims to build over 1 million in the next three years in the country as a whole, a total investment of $50 billion (AED183.4 billion).

Meanwhile, investment is slowly tricling back into Iraq. As reported elsewhere in this issue, trucks are being assbled from kit form at a factory, which has re-opened after a very long hiatus. Elsewhere, engine suppliers are doing a good trade as gensets have become the country's de-facto power grid.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/587365-baghdad

Lafarge Launches $200 Mln Iraq Plant Renovation

France’s Lafarge, the world’s largest cement maker, launched a $200-million renovation of an Iraqi manufacturing plant on Thursday to boost production and grab a bigger share of the local cement market.

On a tour of the plant, one of Iraq’s biggest non-oil industrial projects in recent years, Lafarge chief executive in Iraq Marcel Cobuz said he expected that revamping the 27-year-old factory would help increase its output tenfold to 2 million tonnes annually within two and half years.

“Definitely a lot of revamping is needed here,” he said, referring to the factory’s dilapidated machines. “They are old, but they are working. They need to be rehabilitated and replaced by more modern ones.”

“Our ambition is to have one tonne out of 4 tonnes sold in Iraq,” Cobuz said.

Iraq imports about 10 million tonnes of cement each year and consumes around 15 million tonnes, he said. The factory, located in the southern province of Kerbala, has been producing 200,000 tonnes of cement annually.

Iraq is trying to shake off the legacy of years of violence, sanctions and economic decline by opening up its financial and industrial sectors and luring foreign investment and expertise to help it rebuild.

Iraq wants to form joint ventures with foreign investors to overhaul some 240 idle factories around the country over the next five years, Deputy Minister of Industry and Minerals Adel Karim said in March.

Many of the factories are either outdated, were looted in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion or are located in areas still controlled by Islamist insurgents.

The country has multibillion-dollar oil deals in the pipeline, but analysts say it must grow its non-oil sectors if it is to have a viable economy and reduce unemployment, which is still high seven years after the U.S. invasion.

Cobuz toured the factory on Thursday with Boris Boillon, the French ambassador to Iraq, who said the delay in forming a new government in Iraq after a March 7 election produced no outright winner is not an obstacle for French companies interested in investing in Iraq.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSANS62840620100506

UAE companies seek to establish 150 million residential units in Iraq - NIC
May 19, 2010 - 01:18:48

ARBIL / Aswat al-Iraq: UAE companies have presented a request to establish 150 million residential units in Iraq, according to head of the Iraqi National Investment Commission (NIC).
Speaking at the first Iraqi-Emirati Businessmen Forum which started in Arbil, Sami al-Aaraji said “the Iraqi economy will grow by 7% in the coming five years, which is a sign of good development despite the current economic problems.”
He pointed out to the significant relations with Emirati companies, which work in tourism and real estate sectors.
“The Emirati investments in Iraq reach $70 billion,” he added.
SH (P)

^^ 150 million units !! that can't be right, do they mean 150 thousand ?!!

5-star hotel in Amara

The Missan Investment Commission granted permission to a Spanish-based firm for investing in constructing a 5-star hotel in central Amara city.

“The hotel will be close to the Tigris River that divides the city into two parts,” a source from the commission told Aswat al-Iraq news agency on Saturday.

He noted that the hotel will consist of 12 floors, and will occupy an area of 8,000 squared meters.

^^ 150 million units !! that can't be right, do they mean 150 thousand ?!!

True there arent even 150 million people let enough families to fill that :nuts:

^^ LOL :lol: I know !! if they can build 150 million units, they will solve all housing problems for atleast the next 100 years !

^^ LOL :lol: I know !! if they can build 150 million units, they will solve all housing problems for atleast the next 100 years !

HAHA we could save half of africa with that much housing :lol::lol: or yeah wed be sorted for 100 years

^^ hahaha yeah it must be a typo, i wanted to post it anyway :P

^^ hahaha yeah it must be a typo, i wanted to post it anyway :P

:D

Italian designs of Basra Big Port

May 23, 2010 - 10:23:19
BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: A meeting was held on Sunday in Basra city between the Iraqi Ports Company and a number of Italian firms that will design Basra’s Big Port.
“The meeting discussed the port’s basic designs,” a source from the Iraqi company told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
He did not mention further details.
It is expected that the project of Basra’s Big Port will cost around $80 billion, and will be executed by an Iraqi-U.S. firm in four years according to Italian designs.
The oil-rich city of Basra lies 590 km south of Baghdad.
MH (P)/SR



where the heck are they going to get 80 billion from?

^^ where did you get this article from

This cant be right, if they are refering to the Al-Faw port, then it's no where close to 80 billion..

^^ where did you get this article from

This cant be right, if they are refering to the Al-Faw port, then it's no where close to 80 billion..

im getting all these articles from Aswat Al Iraq. do you know how accurate they are?

$6 million residential project in Baghdad

June 1, 2010 - 12:38:45
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Baghdad Investment Commission on Tuesday approved a residential project in the capital at a cost of $6 million, according to the head of the commission.
“The commission’s board agreed to give an investment license to establish a residential project in Haifa street in Baghdad,” Shaker al-Zameli said in a statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The project will be established in a strategic region and will overlook the Tigris river,” he added.
“It will provide 192 apartments in the coming two years,” he said.

Baghdad Mayoralty handpicks 10 firms for Sadr City rebuilding project

June 1, 2010 - 10:16:34
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A list of 10 out of a total 52 companies were selected to start working on the first stage of the 10×10 project to rebuild Sadr City, according to a press release by mayoralty’s information office on Tuesday.
“The 10×10 project envisages the construction of 75,000 housing units over an area of 14 square kilometers in the eastern Baghdad district of Sadr City,” Baghdad Mayor Saber al-Issawi was quoted in the release received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The project is a very important one for the development of Baghdad, improvement of its urban fabric and a solution to the problem of impoverished families,” Issawi said.
He noted that the mayoralty has included the project within its budget for the year 2010 as one that would continue until 2020 with appropriations amounting to 10.8 billion dollars.
“The project involves all the necessary infrastructure like hospitals, health centers, universities, schools, playgrounds and sports facilities, trade centers and other services,” Issawi said.

^^75000 units over 10 years is actually a small number.. esp if you take population growth into account

Found some info on reconstruction projects funded by foreign assistance from April 2010 (The good stuff starts on page 68).

http://www.sigir.mil/files/quarterlyreports/April2010/Report_-_April_2010.pdf#view=fit

^^75000 units over 10 years is actually a small number.. esp if you take population growth into account

yeh but u have to consider that Sadr City is really dense. I assume they're only building high rises to accommodate the insane number of people living there...

UAE firm implements ID39b project in Karbala

June 5, 2010 - 03:04:10
KARBALA / Aswat al-Iraq: A firm from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will carry out a project to build an entrance of al-Hindiya city, eastern Karbala, at a total cost of 39 billion Iraqi dinars, according to a local official on Saturday.
“The project in al-Hindiya, (20 km) eastern Karbala, will be approved after officials endorse the designs made,” Rassoul al-Talaqani, the assistant governor of Karbala for technical affairs, told Aswat l-Iraq news agency.
“The project, one of the largest strategic ones witnessed by the roads sector, falls within the framework of the 2010 Provincial Development Budget (PDB) investment plan,” Talaqani added.
He noted that the project envisages four roads at a total length of 6500 meters and width of 100 meters in addition to a checkpoint, green spaces and a bridge.
The holy Shiite city of Karbala lies 110 km southwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

9 new investment projects in Najaf

June 9, 2010 - 06:13:42
NAJAF / Aswat al-Iraq: The Najaf Investment Commission has approved nine new investment projects at a total cost of $38 million (more than 45 billion dinars), raising the number of investment projects in the province to 65, head of the commission said on Wednesday.
“The NIC gave nine new investment licenses in the health, entertainment, commercial and educational fields at a cost of $38.211.138 million,” Fadl al-Fadl told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The new licenses raised the total number of approved licenses in Najaf to 65 at a total cost of $2.5 billion,” he noted.
“The investment companies have already started implementing 16 projects, including the establishment of a pharmaceutical factory,” the official underlined.
Najaf lies 160 km south of Baghdad.

Amusement park after Disney Land in Baghdad

June 21, 2010 - 08:48:11
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The corner stone will be laid during the coming few days to start the project of a major amusement park in eastern Baghdad, which will follow the style of Disney Land.
“The project’s estimated cost is at ID25 billion,” the Baghdad Mayoralty said in a release on Monday as received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
It noted that the project will be executed within two years through investments.
MH (P)/SR

haha...

NAJAF, Iraq — The Iraqi shrine city of Najaf, whose mediaeval-style alleyways host millions of Shiite pilgrims every year, has signed a deal for a monorail to rival that of ultra-modern Dubai, a provincial official said on Sunday.
The city, which is home to the grand ayatollahs who wield huge influence among Iraq's Shiite majority community, will be the first in the country to get a rapid transit system, with proposals for a Baghdad metro still very much on the drawing board.
The monorail will ferry pilgrims between Najaf's most revered shrines, the Mausoleum of Imam Ali in the city centre and the Grand and Al-Sahla Mosques in Kufa, 10 kilometres (six miles) to the west, provincial investment committee member Anwar al-Habubi told AFP.
The system, which is due for completion within three years, will also provide links to the city's two main bus stations, he added.
In a later phase of the project, the provincial council plans to connect the network to the city's international airport, opened two years ago to serve the tens of thousands of Shiite pilgrims who travel from Iran, Lebanon, south Asia and elsewhere.
The monorail will run at an elevation of six metres (20 feet) above the city's streets, Habubi said. The network, much of which will be twin-track, will have a combined length of 37 kilometres (23 miles).
Canada-based international engineering consortium TransGlobim International Inc is to build the 248-million-dollar system, which is scheduled for completion within three years, Habubi added.
"Construction will start right away as the project already has its investment licence," he said.
Globim said on its website that the project entailed financing and operating the network over a 30-year concession period as well as the survey, design and construction work.
"Guideway design will accommodate blast protection," the firm said on its website referring to the concrete track and supports which carry the monorail.
Protection against bomb blasts is an important consideration in a city where Shiite pilgrims have come under repeated attack by Sunni extremists, including militants from Al-Qaeda.
"All guideway components will be pre-cast and assembled on site," the company added.
It said construction would take two years after completion of the survey and design work.
Service frequency on the network will vary in accordance with the rhythm of the pilgrimage traffic. In total, Najaf welcomes around 70 million faithful to its holy places every year but the numbers fluctuate widely from day to day.
"Currently, Najaf hosts more than 5,000 visitors per day Saturday to Wednesday peaking to 20,000 visitors per day on the weekend -- Thursday/Friday," the company said.
"On 20 major nights of the year, the city is host to over one million people per day.
"Initially (there will be) five to six minute headway between trains, moving to two to three minutes in heavy usage periods," the company said.
"Train capacity will be 400 to 420 people per train travelling 35 to 80 kilometres per hour (22 to 50 miles per hour) depending on station distance."
Habubi hailed the signing of the monorail deal.
"It is a big asset for Najaf -- it will provide an important service for pilgrims and ease the massive congestion problems," he said.
Currently the only other monorail system in the Middle East is in Dubai. The line, which opened last year, links the mainland to the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah -- a residential and leisure mega-project off the coast in the Gulf

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iXD3PMUwqE3qS0xUmDCfQbK_1eVQ

العراق يطرح تشييد 4 مصاف للنفط بكلفة 25 مليار دولار

http://www.alaswaq.net/articles/2010/06/26/35470.html

is the Najaf monorail U/C ? in an interview they said that it was !

the najaf nigerian scam!!! LOL

these guys are so dumb! the entire najaf investment board should be lined up and shot for their utter utter stupidity.

unfortunately such stupidity is just the norm when it comes to iraqi government officials and bureaucrats... they are so detached from the world, its not even funny.

^^ I thought it's a Canadian firm!

^^ yea lol..

Iraq finds the solution to attract investors
Iraq to build a commercial village for investors


BAGHDAD (Reuters)

Iraq has the solution for businessmen who want to invest but fear venturing into Baghdad's dangerous streets by creating a mini-city right next to the airport.

To persuade more investors to come to Iraq, an Iraqi firm is planning to build a "village of businesses" next to Baghdad airport, a 30-minute drive from the city centre, according to Shaker al-Zamili, head of the Baghdad Investment Commission.

The mini-city will offer all amenities for businessmen to strike deals, showcase their products and be entertained, offering a complete infrastructure that includes offices, hotels, apartments, banks, shops, a petrol station, a car rental agency and even duty-free shops. And there will be restaurants, internet cafes and parks.


The village will take 3-5 years to be completed

The area, scheduled for completion in 3-5 years for $250 million, will also house offices of state investment commissions and branches of most government ministries to help investors.

"When a company comes to Iraq, instead of wandering, it could stay and deal with officials and get any information, any details it wants while staying there," Zamili said on Wednesday.

Companies also could rent places for displaying products and services, he added.

Iranian, Turkish and Gulf companies lead foreign investment in Iraq, and their investment is mostly pronounced in religious tourism, housing and banking sectors.

The United Arab Emirates is the biggest investor in large projects, with total pledges of $37.7 billion, while Lebanon tops the list of investment deals below $1 billion, according to a report last year by Dunia Frontier Consultants.

Iraq has been struggling to attract much-needed investment to develop its infrastructure after years of militant bloodshed, under-investment and sanctions as many firms wait for security to improve.

Overall violence has dropped significantly in Iraq since the height of sectarian warfare in 2006-07. But bombings and shootings still occur regularly in Baghdad and elsewhere.

While Iraq has signed eleven deals with global oil companies to develop its richest fields, projects outside the energy sector have rarely gone beyond aspirations. Lingering violence and political uncertainty, four months after an inconclusive election, are keeping most western investors on the sidelines.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/07/28/115087.html

Shatt al-Arab canal project underway – ministry

August 10, 2010 - 08:59:38
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Preparations have begun to execute the concrete layered transportation canal of the Shatt al-Arab Irrigation Project.
“The total cost of the project will be around $299 million,” the Iraqi Water Resources Ministry said in a release on Tuesday as received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
It noted that the canal’s length will be 128 km, and will have a discharge capacity of 30 cubic meters per second.
“The canal will start from northern Basra until the south of the province,” the ministry added.
MH (P)/SR

^^ I didn't get what that means? are they extending it? cleaning it? or upgrading it?

^^ I didn't get what that means? are they extending it? cleaning it? or upgrading it?

upgrading it i think, that means cleaning it too

Iraq spending 300 million dollars on hotels for summit: FM

(AFP) – 3 days ago
BAGHDAD — Iraq will spend 300 million dollars to upgrade six major hotels in Baghdad for an Arab summit next year, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told AFP on Tuesday.
"We will invest around 300 million dollars to transform our six largest hotels to international standards for the Arab summit at the end of March" 2011, Zebari said.
The hotels include the Rasheed, the centre of political life during the era of Saddam Hussein, who was ousted by the 2003 US-led invasion and later tried and executed.
It now lies within the heavily-fortified international "Green Zone" in Baghdad.
Also being renovated are the Mansour, the Palestine, the Ishtar (formerly Sheraton), the Baghdad, and the Babil, all of which have been targeted by car bombs or other violence since the invasion.
The government will pay 25 percent of the refurbishment costs and provide interest free loans for the rest, an official from one of the hotels said on condition of anonymity.
Around 1,000 rooms will be refitted by Turkish, Jordanian and local companies, Zebari said.
Iraq has not held a regular Arab summit since November 1978, although it did host an extraordinary session in Baghdad in May 1990.[/IMG]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3762977764_5a4709f6e0.jpg

Sports Ministry examines offers to build Baghdad Int’l Stadium

August 21, 2010 - 10:54:31
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Youth and Sports Ministry is examining offers submitted by different firms to build the Baghdad International Stadium in northern the Iraqi capital.
“Eleven firms are currently competing to win the design and execution of this project,” the Iraqi Youth and Sports Minister Jassim Mohammed Jaafar told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
He noted that the project will require three years for execution.
“The stadium will be the biggest in Iraq, with a capacity of 100 thousand sport fans,” Minister Jaafar said.
MH (P)/SR

Nahrwan bridge opens
September 5, 2010 - 04:46:02
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Baghdad Mayoralty announced the inauguration of the al-Nahrwan bridge, which links Baghdad to northern and southern Iraqi provinces and helps traffic of trucks to the northern areas of the country without having to pass by the capital, according to the Baghdad Mayoralty in a statement on Sunday.
“The project, a vital one for the movement of passengers and cargo, is an important link between the province of Diala and the northern and southern provinces as well as Baghdad,” Baghdad Mayor Salah Abdulraziq was quoted in the statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The 14-km-long infrastructure project was implemented by Iraqis with French participation at a cost of 16 billion Iraqi dinars,” he added.
AmR (P)

Kuwaiti delegation in Basra to discuss investments

September 6, 2010 - 02:46:22
BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: Representatives of Kuwaiti firms discussed with the Basra governor on Monday investment opportunities in the southern Iraqi province.
“The two sides discussed how to seriously activate Kuwaiti investments in Basra,” said a release issued by the Basra local authorities.
It explained that Kuwaiti firms have the intention to invest in Basra, especially in agricultural projects.
The oil-rich city of Basra lies 590 km south of Baghdad.
MH (P)/SR

ID34 billion mall approved in Ninewa

September 6, 2010 - 05:16:22
NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: The Ninewa investment commission approved on Monday to establish a big mall at a cost of 34.260 billion dinars ($29 million), according to the head of the investment commission.
“The commission agreed on Monday (Sept. 6) to give its 29th investment license to establish a mall in al-Nour neighborhood in eastern Mosul,” Muwafaq Yousses told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“A Turkish company will carry out the project,” he added, without giving further details.
Mosul, the capital of Ninewa, lies 405 km north of Baghdad.
SH (P)

thats good to hear. finally some projects in mosul.

^^ LOL i believe this is the first non-cynical comment you posted about a project announcement on this forum !! :lol: :cheers:

^^ LOL i believe this is the first non-cynical comment you posted about a project announcement on this forum !! :lol: :cheers:

perhaps i spoke too soon. this may still end up in the "scam project" list one day.

A private sector company is to build a cement factory, the second in southern Iraq's al Muthanna province, with a production capacity of one million tonnes and a total cost of USD 200 million.

Mr Ali Hannoun told Aswat al-Iraq news agency said that "We have completed all legal measures for contracting and handing over the land for the construction of a cement plant by al-Mabrouka private company, the second of its kind, over an area of 350 donums in al Fadwa village, 20 km southwest of Samawa.”

He added that "The new plant will be of a production capacity of one million tons and a cost of USD 200 millions.”

Mr Hannoun said the new plant shall witness the first steps of its construction by a Chinese company for the interest of its Iraqi Investor, Hatim al-Khawan, during the next few days, and will be completed within 30 months from now.

He added that "Both plants are expected to develop the cement industry in Muthanna and economic conditions in the province by allocating private and foreign capital to set up projects and help provide jobs for the unemployed in the province.”

Minister lays cornerstone for culture center in Najaf

October 2, 2010 - 03:51:43
NAJAF / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi Culture Minister Mahir Dalli on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a cultural palace in Najaf at a cost of 100 billion Iraqi dinars within preparations to celebrate Najaf as a capital of Islamic culture for 2012.
“The project, which stands over an area of 62 donums and a construction area of 48 square meters, will encompass a conference hall that can host 1500 persons, varied stages, gardens and bike parks,” Wassim Galabi, the chairman of the board of a Turkish firm that will carry out the project, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The project, which will stand on the new Najaf-Baghdad road, will take 450 days to finish. We wish to be ahead of schedule,” he added.
The holy Shiite city of Najaf lies 160 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

AmR (P)

Italian company seeks to establish mall in Basra

October 12, 2010 - 03:05:47
BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: An Italian company is seeking to establish a mall in Basra, an official source from the Basra local council said on Tuesday.
“A delegation from the company, which belongs to the Italian energy giant ENI, held a meeting with Basra governor and a number of local officials to discuss the establishment of a big mall in Basra,” Sadeq al-Safi, the governor’s economic adviser, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The company expressed interest to carry out several investment projects in Basra,” he added.
“The local government exerts big efforts to encourage investments and to facilitate investors’ mission in the province,” al-Safi noted.
Basra is 590 km south of Baghdad.
SH (P)/SR

Italian company seeks to establish mall in Basra

October 12, 2010 - 03:05:47
BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: An Italian company is seeking to establish a mall in Basra, an official source from the Basra local council said on Tuesday.
“A delegation from the company, which belongs to the Italian energy giant ENI, held a meeting with Basra governor and a number of local officials to discuss the establishment of a big mall in Basra,” Sadeq al-Safi, the governor’s economic adviser, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The company expressed interest to carry out several investment projects in Basra,” he added.
“The local government exerts big efforts to encourage investments and to facilitate investors’ mission in the province,” al-Safi noted.
Basra is 590 km south of Baghdad.
SH (P)/SR

Great news, i hope it goes through

Kuwaiti companies to implement projects in Karbala

October 13, 2010 - 04:44:13
KARBALA / Aswat al-Iraq: A number of Kuwaiti companies on Wednesday expressed desire to implement hotel and housing projects in Karbala, the province’s governor said.
“A delegation, representing a group of Kuwaiti companies, expressed readiness to carry out investment projects in Karbala,” Governor Amal al-Din al-Herr told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The delegation held a series of meetings and talks with the local government and reviewed possible projects that could be implemented, mainly in hotel and housing sectors,” the governor added.
“Financial amounts allocated to Karbala by the federal government went to infrastructure projects and to government’s departments,” he explained.
Karbala is 110 km south of Baghdad.

The foundation stone for a project to set up a 1,000-unit housing project in Basra for the Political Prisoners Association was laid on Thursday, according to the PPA chief.

"The project, to observe global specifications, will have units 2.200 meters each. Al-Faw Company will embark on the project soon," Jassem Muhammad Jaafar said during a ceremony on the occasion.

"The implementation of this project in Basra mirrors the central government's care for the political prisoners and their sacrifices during the former regime's time," he added.

The foundation stone laying ceremony for the housing compound, near the Sports City in western Basra, was attended by members of parliament and local officials in the province.

The oil-rich port city of Basra, Iraq's only outlet to waterways, lies 590 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

^^ i read about that, why is it being built near the sport's city?? lol

^^ have no idea ! but that's good, sports city is being build in the middle of no where ! good to have other projects close to it.

Iran Launches Dairy Factory in Iraq
UNCATEGORIZED — BY ADMIN ON OCTOBER 17, 2010 AT 2:17 PM
Iran has set up its first dairy production factory in Iraq with the investment of more than $3million, said an Iranian official.
The plant produces 50 tons of dairy products per day, said Mohammad Mehdi Farshchi, the head of Hamedan provincial commerce organization, Mehr News Agency reported.
The factory, funded and built by Iran’s private sector, is planned to distribute its products to the Iraqi cities of Najaf, Karbala, Sulaimaniya, Erbil and Baghdad.
Farshchi added that 12 Iranian technicians along with 33 Iraqi workers are working in the factory.
The report did not give further details about the location of the plant.
Iran and Iraq have increased their political and economic ties after former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003.
According to the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, Tehran and Baghdad have signed 100 memorandums of understanding since 2003 to boost economic cooperation.
Iran has exported $15 billion worth of goods to Iraq since then.
Growing Trade in Ramadan
The annual trade between Iran and Iraq is at $7 billion in 2010, Azzaman reported.
Trade exchange between Iran and Iraq is increasing and is expected to be worth $7 billion this year, the report read adding that despite the record figure, Iran says the volume of exchange is below expectations.
“The trade exchange between the countries is below the required level when compared with other states,” said Iran’s Economy and Finance Affairs Minister Shamseddin Hosseini.
The growth in volume of trade is noticeable in Iraqi supermarkets, shops and stores which brim with Iranian goods, particularly in central and southern parts of Iraq.
An indication of the growth trade exchange has been the recent deals the countries’ traders have signed for the import of Iranian goods during the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan.
Sami Hamid, head of the Chamber of Commerce in the Province of Diyala says most of the deals are for the import of food stuffs, especially sugar and legumes.
“Hundreds of trucks laden with Iranian goods pass through the province every day,” said Hamid.

$10 billion to rebuild the run-down Iraqi township of Sadr City
PEOPLE — BY ADMIN ON OCTOBER 17, 2010 AT 2:22 PM
The Sadr City in the outskirts of Baghdad is perhaps Iraq’s most impoverished town – but its tragedy may finally come to an end.
If what Baghdad’s Mayor Saber al-Aysawi says is true, the Sadr City should become Iraq’s most modern in a few years.
A statement faxed to the newspaper and signed by Aysawi says the government has agreed to allocate $10 billion for the city’s reconstruction and that talks with international firms have reached an advanced stage to start the rebuilding.
A major British firm will be the main contractor with 10 more subcontractors that will be hired to do the massive reconstruction.
“The companies have 45 days to submit their designs and offers on how to implement the project,” says Aysawi in the statement.
Successive Iraqi governments have vowed to modernize the slum city but all their promises did not come true.
The city came into being in the early 1960s as a result of large influx of peasants from southern Iraq seeking better life in Baghdad.
The city is a warren of mainly one-storey houses, with streets and alleyways inundated with sewage water.
It is believed to be one the most densely populated cities in the world, with extended families of up to three generations living in small houses measuring 100 square meters on average.
Aysawi gave no details on what will happen to the city, but the fact that the reconstruction will cost $10 billion is worthy of note and if spent wisely it could change the livelihood of the city’s more than 2 million people to the better.

i really hope so elusive

Iran Launches Dairy Factory in Iraq
UNCATEGORIZED — BY ADMIN ON OCTOBER 17, 2010 AT 2:17 PM
Iran has set up its first dairy production factory in Iraq with the investment of more than $3million, said an Iranian official.
The plant produces 50 tons of dairy products per day, said Mohammad Mehdi Farshchi, the head of Hamedan provincial commerce organization, Mehr News Agency reported.
The factory, funded and built by Iran’s private sector, is planned to distribute its products to the Iraqi cities of Najaf, Karbala, Sulaimaniya, Erbil and Baghdad.
Farshchi added that 12 Iranian technicians along with 33 Iraqi workers are working in the factory.
The report did not give further details about the location of the plant.
Iran and Iraq have increased their political and economic ties after former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003.
According to the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, Tehran and Baghdad have signed 100 memorandums of understanding since 2003 to boost economic cooperation.
Iran has exported $15 billion worth of goods to Iraq since then.
Growing Trade in Ramadan
The annual trade between Iran and Iraq is at $7 billion in 2010, Azzaman reported.
Trade exchange between Iran and Iraq is increasing and is expected to be worth $7 billion this year, the report read adding that despite the record figure, Iran says the volume of exchange is below expectations.
“The trade exchange between the countries is below the required level when compared with other states,” said Iran’s Economy and Finance Affairs Minister Shamseddin Hosseini.
The growth in volume of trade is noticeable in Iraqi supermarkets, shops and stores which brim with Iranian goods, particularly in central and southern parts of Iraq.
An indication of the growth trade exchange has been the recent deals the countries’ traders have signed for the import of Iranian goods during the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan.
Sami Hamid, head of the Chamber of Commerce in the Province of Diyala says most of the deals are for the import of food stuffs, especially sugar and legumes.
“Hundreds of trucks laden with Iranian goods pass through the province every day,” said Hamid.

This is good news, i love Iranian ge'mar although i dont think they call it that ??

$10 billion to rebuild the run-down Iraqi township of Sadr City
PEOPLE — BY ADMIN ON OCTOBER 17, 2010 AT 2:22 PM
The Sadr City in the outskirts of Baghdad is perhaps Iraq’s most impoverished town – but its tragedy may finally come to an end.
If what Baghdad’s Mayor Saber al-Aysawi says is true, the Sadr City should become Iraq’s most modern in a few years.
A statement faxed to the newspaper and signed by Aysawi says the government has agreed to allocate $10 billion for the city’s reconstruction and that talks with international firms have reached an advanced stage to start the rebuilding.
A major British firm will be the main contractor with 10 more subcontractors that will be hired to do the massive reconstruction.
“The companies have 45 days to submit their designs and offers on how to implement the project,” says Aysawi in the statement.
Successive Iraqi governments have vowed to modernize the slum city but all their promises did not come true.
The city came into being in the early 1960s as a result of large influx of peasants from southern Iraq seeking better life in Baghdad.
The city is a warren of mainly one-storey houses, with streets and alleyways inundated with sewage water.
It is believed to be one the most densely populated cities in the world, with extended families of up to three generations living in small houses measuring 100 square meters on average.
Aysawi gave no details on what will happen to the city, but the fact that the reconstruction will cost $10 billion is worthy of note and if spent wisely it could change the livelihood of the city’s more than 2 million people to the better.

let us see the problems with this, highlighted in bold.

so basically the contractors have 45 days to come up with a redevelopment plan for a huge city that most probably none of them have actually visited nor seen any in depth information about...

$10Bn sounds like a big number. but for 2 million people... that works out to $5000 / per person.

Well, they're certainly not going to be doing much with that sort of money! perhaps the roads, sidewalks and sewages if they're lucky. But "modern housing", will be restricted perhaps to 10% or less of that total population...

What I don't understand is why they chose $10 Billion dollars !! it seems like a whimsical figure someone just thought up..

I love to see an studies, surveying , or any form of data acquisition, and how that relates to the $10 billion. A very nicely rounded figure, but is it based on reality?

Every time I see in the news a well rounded figure for redevelopment.. For some reason, it takes away from it's legitimacy..

Romanian company to implement residential project in Basra
October 18, 2010 - 08:37:04
BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: A Romanian company has received initial approvals to implement a residential project in Basra, according to an official from the Basra Investment Commission (BIC).
“The BIC granted its initial approval to a Romanian company to carry out a residential project, which will include 6200 units in al-Kazieza region, northern Basra,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The project will be implemented in four stages; every stage will include 1600 units,” he added.
“The project will receive the final and official agreements soon,” the source said.
Basra is 590 km south of Baghdad.
SH (P)

What I don't understand is why they chose $10 Billion dollars !! it seems like a whimsical figure someone just thought up..

I love to see an studies, surveying , or any form of data acquisition, and how that relates to the $10 billion. A very nicely rounded figure, but is it based on reality?

Every time I see in the news a well rounded figure for redevelopment.. For some reason, it takes away from it's legitimacy..

yeah its pretty weird...

Investment for tourist areas in 3 provinces
October 21, 2010 - 02:24:54
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Iraqi Tourist Commission has defined three investment positions in Baghdad, Basra, and Anbar Provinces to witness the development of their tourist positions, according to the Commission’s Chairman on Thursday.
“The Tourist Commission has laid out a tourist plan for three positions, in Baghdad Tourist Island, the Wedding Island and Al-Jadiriya Tourist Complex along with the rehabilitation of of Canal Hotel and the Baghdad Hotels Institute,” Hamoud al-Ya’cubi told Aswat al-Iraq News Agency.
In southern Iraq’s Basa Province, the tourist plan covered Safwan town, the Sindbad Tourist Island and al-Mirbad Hotel, he said. He added that western Iraq’s Anbar Province’s Habbaniya Tourist City shall witness the rehabilitation of 500 of its tourist homes.
Ya’cubi also said that his Commission had demanded different Iraqi provinces to allocate pieces of land for investment in tourist projects, adding that Iraq would participate in the International Tourist Market, scheduled to be held in London on November 8th, with the participation of 5,000 companies from 150 states.
He had stated last Wednesday that the Tourist Commission had decided to build 12 five-star hotels in the holy city of Najaf, on occasion of its selection as “Capital of the Islamic Culture,” for the year 2012.

12 five stars hotels by 2012 is VERY optimistic! they better already have started some of these hotels

12 five stars hotels by 2012 is VERY optimistic! they better already have started some of these hotels

i think they meant 2, 12 is ridiculous! only a place like Dubai would pull it off

i think they meant 2, 12 is ridiculous! only a place like Dubai would pull it off

Even they would struggle!

Baghdad Fair asserts Iraq safe for investments – spokesman

November 1, 2010 - 09:36:14

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Opening the Baghdad International Fair sends an important message to all investors asserts that Iraq is an important country and has promising investment opportunities for international companies, spokesman of the Iraqi government said on Monday.

“The fair sends a clear message for all investors that Iraq is the coming investment country and has investment opportunities for all countries and for the Iraqi private sector, which has the priority,” Ali al-Dabbagh told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“Iraq has succeeded in attracting several companies and we expect that next year will witness the participation of more companies to contribute in reconstructing Iraq,” he added.

SH (P)

Iraq signs 5 agreements with France to develop its infrastructure

November 1, 2010 - 02:47:05

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraq’s Oil Ministry has announced on Monday the conclusion of five agreements with France to develop its infrastructure in the fields of oil, agriculture, investment, trade, insurance and electricity.

Oil Minister, Hussein al-Shahrestani, stated after the signing of the agreements that they “aim at boosting trade and exchange and cooperation in the fields of energy and industry, as well as the activation of trade between the two sides.”

“The conclusion of such agreements will positively reflect on the current situation and the future of our country, in such a way that achieves bilateral benefit for both countries,” he said.

An Oil Ministry statement said in a statement, copy of which was received by Aswat al Iraq News Agency, that “a joint high Iraqi-French Committee, led by Oil Minister, Hussein al-Shahristani, had concluded five agreements related to the fields of energy, agriculture, industry, investment and services.”Iraq’s Oil Minister Shahrestani, Trade Minister Safuddin al-Safi, Agriculture Ministe Akram Abdul-Hamid, as well as Finance Minister Bayan Jabur Solagh, have signed the agreements with the French Trade Minister and Chairwoman of the High Joint Commmitte for the French side, An Mary Edrack, the agreements planned in the Joint High Committee’s first meeting.”

The French Trade Minister, authorized to sign the agreements with Iraq, on her part said: “the signing of the agreements has registered an unprecedented occasion in the history of European countries, as France is considered the first European country that signs cooperation agreements with Iraq in different fields.”

“We are working to develop relations with Iraq, especially in the economic and trade fields..And, in our current visit, we have presented an offer to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity for cooperation in electrical stations field, as well as oil cooperation in the field of building refineries, along with trade cooperation,” she said.

The French Minister pointed out that her country “has decided to open a large pavilion in Baghdad International Fair, comprising 40 French companies, saying: “Our participation in the Fair this year differs from previous years, because we have full wish for joint cooperation.”

Meanwhile, the Spokesman for the Iraqi Oil Mininstry, Assim Jehad, said the above meeting “is considered the second of irts type, as the first meeting was held in Paris last year, that put the main lines for cooperation between the two countries,” pointing out that France “has played a great role on the international level, due to the high and special goodwill of its companies.”

American company to set up residential compound in Basra

November 4, 2010 - 02:10:34

BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: The cornerstone was laid to establish a residential compound in Basra, chairman of the Basra Investment Commission said on Thursday.

“The project, which will be implemented by an American company, includes the establishment of 3,000 apartments with all facilities,” Haidar Ali Fadel told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The project will cost around $220 million,” he added, noting that the compound will be established near the sports city in western Basra.

Basra is 590 km south of Baghdad.

American company to set up residential compound in Basra

November 4, 2010 - 02:10:34

BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: The cornerstone was laid to establish a residential compound in Basra, chairman of the Basra Investment Commission said on Thursday.

“The project, which will be implemented by an American company, includes the establishment of 3,000 apartments with all facilities,” Haidar Ali Fadel told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The project will cost around $220 million,” he added, noting that the compound will be established near the sports city in western Basra.

Basra is 590 km south of Baghdad.

Why do i get the feeling that when a American company is involved, the plan actually goes through lol.. well i hope so anyway.

Iraq in Deal With South Korean Group for 500,000 Homes

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's National Investment Commission said on Sunday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with a South Korean group to build 500,000 housing units all over Iraq.

The deal could have a possible total value of $25 billion, according to previous information from the commission stating that each housing unit was expected to cost $50,000.

The group includes Hyundai, SK and POSCO <005490.KS>, the media office of the National Investment Commission said.

"The head of the Investment Commission, Sami al-Araji, has signed in Seoul an MOU with the globally known South Korean Trac organization to build 500,000 housing units all over Iraq," a statement said.

The final deal is expected to be signed in January 2011, Dhiyaa al-Khayoon, a deputy minister of finance, said.

Construction in Iraq has been hampered by red tape and security concerns since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

The government hopes a sharp fall in violence in the past two years from the height of sectarian warfare, and a new investment law allowing foreigners to own land for housing projects, will entice foreign investors.

Iraq faces an acute shortage of houses after years of war and sanctions and needs between 2-3 million new homes for its growing population, officials have said.

^^ very ambitious!

^^ yes indeed.. They really need to release more details..

500,000 units is massive even for the largest countries..

They didn't say how long this project will take, if it is done in phases over a long period , then it would be feasible.

i agree...its probably a 25+ year project...

Why do i get the feeling that when a American company is involved, the plan actually goes through lol.. well i hope so anyway.

its not an american company (in the terms you think of it, like foster wheeler etc..). Its a group of iraqis with a PO BOX in the US.

Iraq in Deal With South Korean Group for 500,000 Homes

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's National Investment Commission said on Sunday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with a South Korean group to build 500,000 housing units all over Iraq.

The deal could have a possible total value of $25 billion, according to previous information from the commission stating that each housing unit was expected to cost $50,000.

The group includes Hyundai, SK and POSCO <005490.KS>, the media office of the National Investment Commission said.

"The head of the Investment Commission, Sami al-Araji, has signed in Seoul an MOU with the globally known South Korean Trac organization to build 500,000 housing units all over Iraq," a statement said.

The final deal is expected to be signed in January 2011, Dhiyaa al-Khayoon, a deputy minister of finance, said.

Construction in Iraq has been hampered by red tape and security concerns since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

The government hopes a sharp fall in violence in the past two years from the height of sectarian warfare, and a new investment law allowing foreigners to own land for housing projects, will entice foreign investors.

Iraq faces an acute shortage of houses after years of war and sanctions and needs between 2-3 million new homes for its growing population, officials have said.


Seoul says Iraqi deal involves only one developer
Mon Nov 8, 2010 7:46am GMT Print | Single Page [-] Text [+]
SEOUL Nov 8 (Reuters) - The South Korean company involved in a housing development deal with Iraq is not a consortium including POSCO (005490.KS: Quote) and other companies as one Iraqi agency said, the Seoul government said on Monday.

It said in a statement Hyundai Engineering and Construction (000720.KS: Quote), POSCO or SK Construction had not decided whether to join a consortium that TRAC Development, that signed the deal with Iraq's National Investment Commission, wants to set up.

The deal could have a possible total value of $25 billion, according to previous information from the commission stating that each housing unit was expected to cost $50,000.

The statement from Seoul's land ministry came in response to a statement by the media office of Iraq's National Investment Commission that said on Sunday the three other South Korean companies were part of the consortium. [ID:nKAM746398]

The ministry only confirmed the head of the Investment Commission, Sami al-Araji, has met with officials from the three South Korean companies during his visit to Seoul last month.


PS. anyone managed to find a website for this TRAC development company?

Missan investment commission considers $60m hotel
November 7, 2010 - 07:27:16 MISSAN / Aswat al-Iraq:

The Missan Investment Commission on Sunday discussed with a Turkish firm the possibility of building a tourist hotel in al-Amara city at a proposed cost of $60 million (roughly 70.8 billion Iraqi dinars), according to the commission chairman. “The 16-floor hotel, to stand over an area of 18 donums in Amara, will encompass offices for businessmen, a movie theater, a car park and a commercial office,” Ra’id Sa’ie told Aswat al-Iraq news agency. One Iraqi donum equals 2500 square meters. The Missan Investment Commission was set up by virtue of law 13 of the year 2006 in a bid to encourage investments in the province. Amara, the capital city of Missan, lies 390 km south of Baghdad.[/IMG]

U.S. investment group to implement tourist project in Basra

November 10, 2010 - 03:35:13

BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: The U.S. group for international investments held talks with local officials in Basra on establishing a tourist project in Sindbad Island in Basra, a media source said on Wednesday.

“A delegation from the U.S. group for international investments discussed with Basra Governor Shaltagh Abboud and Deputy Chairman of Basra Council, Ahmad al-Sulieti, implementing an investment project in the tourist Sindbad Island in Basra,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The project includes the establishment of several malls, hotels and entertainment places,” he added, noting that the governor expressed readiness to present all facilities to implement such projects.

Basra is 590 km south of Baghdad.

SH (P)/SR

Plan to rehabilitate Baghdad Fair

November 11, 2010 - 02:23:56

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The trade ministry has prepared a plan to rehabilitate the Baghdad International Fair at a cost of 4 billion dinars, according to a media director.

“The ministry has mapped our a plan to rehabilitate the Baghdad International Fair in preparations for the coming 38th season,” Mohammad Hanou told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The ministry organized tenders with Iraqi contractors and we hope to start implementing the project after the Greater Bairam (Eiduladha),” he added.

The 37th fair was opened on Monday (Nov. 1) by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and was attended by more than 1200 companies from 80 countries.

SH (P)/SR

Baghdad plans makeover for deadly airport road(AFP) – 1 day ago

BAGHDAD — Long known as the globe's most dangerous highway, Baghdad authorities are now aiming to turn the Iraqi capital's airport road into "the most beautiful street in the world".

Known within the US military as "Route Irish" and grimly dubbed "RPG (rocket propelled grenade) alley", those using the road were subject to daily attacks from insurgents during the peak of Iraq's sectarian war in 2006 and 2007.

The pothole-littered highway was lined on both sides with blast walls, with burning cars a frequent sight, as Sunni Arab fighters who formed the bedrock of an anti-US insurgency after the 2003 invasion would routinely fire rockets and missiles onto its users.

But in a statement on Sunday, the capital's mayor announced he wanted to beautify it by the time Baghdad hosts an upcoming Arab League summit in March next year.

"More than 23 international companies from seven countries... will start at the end of this month to develop a large number of streets and places in Baghdad," Saber al-Essawi said.

"Included in those is Baghdad International Airport street, which extends from Baghdad airport to the Green Zone, at a cost of 200 million dollars, to transform it into the most beautiful street in the world."

There are now few security incidents along the heavily protected highway, whose three lanes have routinely flouted speed limits of 60, 80 and 100 kilometres per hour (about 40, 50 and 60 miles per hour).

The redevelopment plan outlined by Essawi encompasses 50 streets and sites in Baghdad with an overall cost of 500 billion Iraqi dinars (425 million dollars).

It is part of plans to spruce up Baghdad ahead of the summit -- the country announced in August it would spend 300 million dollars to upgrade six major hotels in the capital, with renovations now already underway.

Iraq has not held a regular Arab summit since November 1978, although it did host an extraordinary session in Baghdad in May 1990.

^^ good move! baghdad roads need more funding

Property prices rose fast in Baghdad in recent years, going up 50% and even 100% in many places. Now, Nina News reports that property-price rises in Wasit Province, halfway between Baghdad in central Iraq and Basra in the south-east, are “insane”.

Prices in the province are far exceeding those of neighbouring ones. The price per square metre in some areas of the capital Al Kut, on the river Tigris, now exceeds the prices of comparable properties in many developed countries, such as Norway, with the price per square metre now 1m dinars (US$860).

House prices have risen during the world economic crisis, despite food, cars, energy and other supplies falling in price. The blame is split between speculators and lack of supply. Social changes, with more divorce and more families splitting into smaller units, is also cited as a contributory factor.

Professor of Sociology Mohammed Saleh believes that more housing units need to be created for younger people and the right to re-sell should be postponed for 20 years to control speculation.

The Iraqi government is looking to build at least two million housing units in order to remove the shortage of liveable properties in Iraq.

(Source: Nina News, Iraq Business News)

paHotDurVd0

ID12 billion resort opened in Amara

November 16, 2010 - 03:38:43

MISSAN / Aswat al-Iraq: A tourist resort was opened in central Amara at a cost of more than 12 billion dinars, according to the resort’s media official.
“Adan tourist resort was opened on Monday (Nov. 15) to receive citizens on the occasion of Eiduladha (Greater Bairam),” Muayad al-Saadi told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, noting that the project was carried out at a cost of 12.258 billion dinars within 24 months.
“The resort is one of the investment projects implemented for the first time in the province,” he added.
“It includes a hotel, five-star restaurant, suits and tourist apartments,” he said.

The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Barham Salih, on November 6, laid the foundation stone of Majidi Mall in Sulaimani.


Addressing a gathering in the inauguration, Prime Minister Salih noted the amount of investment in the Kurdistan Region has reached more than $13 billion with the local private sector being a key driver for development, he said.


Prime Minister Salih also indicated the importance of the project and stressed the KRG will continue supporting investment projects as well as activities of the private sector. He also said that bringing Majidi Mall project from Erbil to Sulaimani is a sign of the local investors’ activity and their crucial role in promoting the region’s economy. He expressed his hope that such projects be opened in other parts of the Region as well.


On his part, Ahmed Majidi, the owner of Majidi Mall project and Chairman of Hewa Group said “Today, a new opportunity has been made available for investment to serve the people of Kurdistan.” He described bringing Majidi Mall from Erbil to Sulaimani as a right step towards boosting economic growth, emphasizing his group’s intention to fulfill other projects in other areas of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.


Majdi Mal, which is a commercial and tourism project, is projected to cost $150 million and will be implemented on an area of 100 thousand square meters within two years and a half.


The KRG Minister of Reconstruction, the KRG Minister of Health, Head of the Investment Board, Sulaimani’s Governor, Chairman and staff of Hewa Group, tradesmen, and other governmental officials attended the ceremony.

http://www.barhamsalih.net/news/detail/1437

ID12 billion resort opened in Amara

November 16, 2010 - 03:38:43

MISSAN / Aswat al-Iraq: A tourist resort was opened in central Amara at a cost of more than 12 billion dinars, according to the resort’s media official.
“Adan tourist resort was opened on Monday (Nov. 15) to receive citizens on the occasion of Eiduladha (Greater Bairam),” Muayad al-Saadi told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, noting that the project was carried out at a cost of 12.258 billion dinars within 24 months.
“The resort is one of the investment projects implemented for the first time in the province,” he added.
“It includes a hotel, five-star restaurant, suits and tourist apartments,” he said.

what's it called? and any photos

http://www.alfayhaa.tv/news/economy/45095.html

بعد الانتهاء من أعمال زيادة العمق
وزير عراقي: ميناء أم قصر جاهز لاستقبال السفن الكبيرة

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/11/27/127575.html

^^ good news !

بعد الانتهاء من أعمال زيادة العمق
وزير عراقي: ميناء أم قصر جاهز لاستقبال السفن الكبيرة

http://www.alarabiya.net/default.html

can you pls re post the link its just the main page

^^ Sorry I didn't notes that, Now It's fixed.

$2b housing project in Mosul

November 25, 2010 - 09:11:41

NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: A housing project called Ayn al-Iraq, which encompasses 20,000 units at a cost of $2 billion, was announced during a ceremony at the Ninewa International Hotel in Mosul city on Thursday.

“The mega project is being implemented by 57 Iraqi and foreign companies at a cost of $2 billion,” Ismail al-Barazanji, the chairman of the board of al-Oroush Company, the project investor, told Aswat al-Iraq news agency on the sidelines of the ceremony attended by a host of officials and businessmen from Ninewa province and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

“The space allotted to the project is estimated at 4,000 donums in western Mosul and would involve 20,000 housing units,” he added.
One Iraqi donum equals 2500 square meters.

Barazanji noted that the project also includes shopping malls, schools, swimming pools, entertainment centers, mosques, health clinics and security centers.

Mosul, the capital city of Ninewa province, lies 405 km north of Baghdad.

Al Zawra State Company
By: Atheer Naji
Engineer Najah Abdul Razaq the company spokes women clarified to MIM information bureau that the company products of middle tention systems and box power distribution stations, lightening boxes, low tention control boards, industrial batteries chargeres and electronic centres voltage suppliers are subject to international standards (IEG) stating that the company is in tended to conclude partenarship contract with (SIEMENS) International Company in addtion to training cooperation between the two companies she added that the company has old cooperation with both Snyder French Company and ABB Italian Company.

Basra’s Shat al-Arab Canal project’s corner stone laid

December 2, 2010 - 03:44:18

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The corner stone for a 350 billion (b) dinar Shat al-Arab Canal project, aimed at pumping pure water for Basra Province and irrigation water for 250,000 donums of agricultural lands, had been laid down by the Ministry of Water Resources on Thursday.

“The Irrigation Ministry has celebrated today (Thursday), under the auspices of its Minister, Abdul-Latif Jamal Rashid, the laying of the corner stone for Shat al-Arab Irrigation project in Basra Province, as part of an agricultural initiative by the Iraqi government,” an Irrigation Ministry statement said.

Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, had launched a general initiative to raise the agricultural states in the country in July, 2007, with a 10-year plan to achieve self-sustainability from “strategic crops.”

The initiative comprised, among other goals, supplying farmers with seeds, fertilizers, agricultural insecticides, as well as lands reforms and guaranteeing the purchase of their so-called “strategic crops,” with market prices, along with the observation of agricultural and animal diseases and granting financial assistance for peasants and farmers.

SKH/SR

Kuwaiti company gets 2 investment licenses in Muthanna

November 30, 2010 - 03:44:01

MUTHANNA / Aswat al-Iraq: A Kuwaiti company received two investment licenses in Muthanna, according to a media official of the Muthanna Investment Commission.

“Kuwait’s al-Mahamed company received two investment licenses to implement a residential compound, which contains 2,000 apartments, in addition to the establishment of a cement factory in Badiya al-Samawa region,” Ali Hanoun told Aswat al-Iraq news agency, noting that the commission is resolved to implement the agreed projects with the Kuwaiti company to contribute in supporting the Kuwaiti investment activity in the province.

Samawa, the capital of Muthanna, is 280 km south of Baghdad.

SH (P)/SR

Turkish firm to invest Sinjar Cement Plant for 15 years
December 2, 2010 - 09:43:47
NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: A Turkish company received the Sinjar Cement Plant to develop and invest it for 15 years, according to a source from the Northern Cement State Company (NCSC) on Thursday.
“The Turkish company received today (Dec. 2) the Sinjar Cement Plant, located northwest of Mosul city, to launch investments there at about $100 million,” Hussein al-Khafaji told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The investment process in the plant envisages an increase in the plant’s production to 1.800 tons annually. The agreement, signed today at the plant headquarters in the present of representatives from the Turkish firm, involved pledges to keep Iraqi employment intact,” he said.
The Iraqi ministry of industry & minerals had signed three months ago an agreement with the Turkish company to develop the Ninewa-based NCSC cement plants, including the Sinjar Cement Plant.
Mosul, the capital city of Ninewa province, lies 405 km north of Baghdad.

50,000 housing units to be built in Baghdad

December 13, 2010 - 02:44:15

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: A delegation of South Korean companies has been introduced to patches of lands, allocated for investment to build 50,000 housing units in different parts of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad’s Investment Commission has announced on Monday.

“The South-Korean Delegation has conferred with the National Investment Commission and Baghdad’s Investment Commission, to activate the million housing unit, aimed at solving the housing crisis,” the Commission said in a statement.

The delegation had announced its preparedness to “invest in different areas of Baghdad, through the building of 50,000 housing units, together with their services, including southeast Baghdad’s Basmaya district, where 8,000 donums of land had been allocated for building a housing unit,” the statement added.

SKH/SR

$5 million medical compound in Diwaniya

December 13, 2010 - 08:09:53

DIWANIYA / Aswat al-Iraq: An Iraqi company won an investment license to establish a medical compound at a cost of five million dollars, chairman of the Diwaniya Investment Commission said on Monday.

“The DIC granted Iraqi Anwar al-Sabah company an investment license number 32 to establish a medical compound at a cost of five million dollars,” Engineer Hakem al-Khuzaai told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“The project will be implemented in 24 months,” he added.

Diwaniya is 180 km south of Baghdad.

Erbil, Dec.24 (AKnews)- The governor of Erbil province said a Romanian company will undertake the project of constructing Choman-Haji Omaran two-way road. A similar project is intended for the one-sided Soran-Choman route.

choman u koestan, chomanThe plan will cover part of the famous Hamilton Road, stretching from the border point, Haji Omaran (on Kurdistan-Iran border) to Erbil, the Kurdistan Regional capital.

Nawzad Hadi told AKnews the Haji Omaran-Choman project will get underway in 2011 at 40 billion Iraqi Dinars (IQD)- over 34 million U.S. Dollars, as part of a master plan to boost tourism sector and facilitate the transportation into and out of the Kurdish capital.

Running through gorges, hills and near waterfalls, the Hamilton Road, constructed by Archibald Hamilton in 1928-1932, is a major tourist attraction in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. There are several tourist sites on the road as Hareer, Khalifan, Gali Ali Bag, Jundiyan, Bekhal, Ruwanduz, Choman, Rayat, and Haji Omaran, most of them are surrounded by Kurdistan high mountains.

Hadi did not allude to the duration for the completion of the road project or the name of the undertaking company.

The governor said the Choman- Soran one-way road is also to be turned into a two-sided route in a separate project after the completion of the Choman-Haji Omaran route.

Choman, Haji Omaran, and Soran are nearly 160, 180, and 60 km northeast of Erbil, in success.

بطاقة إنتاجية تبلغ مليون طن سنوياً
شركة عراقية تبني مصنعاً للصلب بقيمة 1.1 مليار دولار في كردستان

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/12/24/130738.html

*

You are in > Home / Basra, Economy, Latest News / STX seeks to activate memo to build petrochemical complex in Basra
STX seeks to activate memo to build petrochemical complex in Basra

December 28, 2010 - 10:06:50

BASRA / Aswat al-Iraq: A delegation from South Korea’s STX Heavy Industries met on Tuesday with Basra Governor Shaltagh Abboud al-Mayah to activate the agreement signed with Iraq to construct a petrochemical complex in the southern city of Basra, an official source said.“The delegation discussed with the governor the mechanism to implement a memorandum of understanding the company signed with the industry ministry to rehabilitate the petrochemical complex in Basra,” the source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

South Korea’s STX Heavy Industries had signed a $3 billion agreement with Iraq to construct a petrochemical complex in the southern city of Basra.

The complex, to be run by Iraq’s State Company for Petrochemical Industries, is set to produce ethylene, propylene, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride from 2014.

STX Heavy will complete the project on an engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC base, the company said in a statement.

In January, STX signed a contract with the Iraqi government to build a $6.2 billion steel mill complex and gas-fired power station in Basra.

STX heavy industry is one of the big chaebols. 44k employees / $23Bn assets.
http://www.stxhi.co.kr/eng/

good stuff. However i am a bit confused that they signed such a contract with "basra" as opposed to the Oil ministry which actually manages such projects. Similarly they state the project is an EPC contract meaning that the Iraqis are paying cash for this... basra's budget won't cover such a project (not by a longshot). therefore i suspect that this project should be an oil ministry contract (though to be honest they don't have the budget for this either!).

this is a roller coaster in the Kurdish city of Erbil . enjoy


aF4Hh-ZmLLY

http://en.aswataliraq.info/Default1.aspx?page=article_page&id=140261&l=1

This is good news, inshalla this will ease the sand storms

Rail Project to Ease Baghdad TrafficPosted on 17 January 2011.

The Iraqi National Rail Company announced on Sunday that under its supervision the urban rail project in the Iraqi capital will be completed in 2013..

According to AKnews, the company’s press secretary, Jawad Kharsani, said the project will be carried out in conjunction with the French company Tharyom (sic) [Iraq Business News believes it to be the French company Systra].

“The railway will start from the eastern Baghdad district of Ahzamya, cut through Utaifiyya and end at the central station in the Alawi neighborhood,” he explained.

Kharsani said the railway will have sub-stations above the ground in residential areas where electronic tickets will be available.

The French company will oversee the technical work and the trains will be managed by its staff in exchange for the revenues from the line for 20 years, before handing it back to Baghdad council, he said.

The 25km rail project will ease the traffic in Baghdad by 50%, Khasrani said.

“The Ministry of Transport will work to repeat the experience of this project in all Iraqi provinces,” he said.

Asked when work on the project would begin, Khasrani said that, “the final cost of the project will determine the timing of the French company’s arrival in Baghdad.”

Baghdad’s traffic jams have been attributed to the large number of security checkpoints and increasing numbers of vehicles on streets that desperately need to be expanded.

(Source: AKnews)

forgive the google translate!

Declaration on the designs of modern industrial neighborhood in Karbala

08/02/2011



Announced in the province of Karbala for modern designs of the neighborhood industrial and international exhibitions.

The head of the Coordinating Committee for future projects in the governorate of Karbala Hani left, the press section at the National Center for Public Information, said the committee announced that modern designs in the neighborhood of industrial and international exhibitions, which will be implemented on an area of more than 150 dunums, situated on the road to Karbala - Najaf.

The Ialisari that the new design includes a 660 and a workshop area of 120 square meters, and the number of 72 garage and a coefficient of aluminum, wood, iron, an area of 200 square meters and the number of 142 plants, as well as garages for washing and lubricating an area of 1500 square meters, with the availability of areas of public services and government buildings, and centers for civil defense, and the police, health, and a large mosque, in addition to the parks and green spaces within the region and along the front.

He left to the adoption of modern machinery for car parking in the areas of the industrial district does not affect the smooth flow of traffic.

Construction Starts on $135m Hospital in Diwaniya

09 February 2011.

AKnews reports that an Australian company has started construction on a new 400-bed hospital in Qadisiya.

The five-story hospital, costing about $135 million, will be built on an area of 6,648 square meters by the Australian Construction Company (ACA) over a period of 33 months in the provincial capital, Diwaniyah.

The hospital is divided into several sections, including a special department for cancer, and general operations halls.

“Upon completion, the hospital will be equipped with sonar and other advanced equipment,” says Qais Fulayyih Hasan, the supervising engineer responsible for the implementation of the project.

The project also has two parking lots, one for the doctors and the hospital workers and another for the people visiting the hospital, according to Hasan.

“The hospital will be built to Australian standards and it will provide good services to citizens,” he said.

The project is being funded from the investment plan of the Ministry of Health

Licences to Build $1.9 Billion Houses in Najaf

09 February 2011.

The Najaf Investment Commission approved 17 investment licences to build a total of 19,000 houses in Najaf at a cost of $1.9 billion, according to the chairman of the commission, Wafi al-Bahash.

Aswat al-Iraq reports that the Commission has recently approved more than 125 licenses in all fields, including 17 to Iraqi and foreign companies to establish 19,487 houses in the province at a cost of $1.9 billion. The projects will be implemented over the next two years.

“The projects will solve the housing crisis in the southern province,” he added.

New bridge in Basrah

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/6656/86470578.jpg

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/5047/55089659.jpg

Src.
http://basraelc.com/news.php?action=view&id=4686

they r saying its the biggest since 2003.

^^ nice

but isn't it too narrow.. :dunno:

Ali Rashid head of Agriculture committee announced today in early March the project will commence which will be done by a private local company.

he said " the project will hold 3 Billion cubic meters of water and it will be 93 meters high and it will produce 250 megawatt of electricity which will be built below Dukan's lake on small Zab and will be 50 kms long. the cost of the project will be 100 Million US.

aim of the project will be to further make the area greener , electricity produce , fishing , and tourism . it also will be capable of watering 26000 and 400 acres of agricultural land.

source : Kurdistani nwe

Drake & Scull Eyeing Tenders in Iraq

18 February 2011.

Dubai contractor Drake & Scull International is eyeing project tenders in Iraq in the second half of 2011 as it looks to break into new markets and diversify its income.

Drake, whose biggest market is Saudi Arabia, is also keeping a close eye on political unrest in Egypt, where it is bidding for $200-300m worth of projects, chief corporate affairs officer Zeina Tabari told Reuters in an interview.

Drake, which specialises in mechanical, engineering and plumbing businesses (MEP), won a $126.6m contract in Egypt in January, and the project is on track, Tabari said.

“The majority of our contracts this year will be from the GCC,” she said, adding: “We have a business development team in Iraq, but it is a new market for us and will take some time to start tendering. Probably in Q3 and Q4.”

Gulf Arab companies see growing opportunities to invest in Iraq in sectors including energy, telecoms, finance and infrastructure, as the war-torn nation battles to recover from years of bloodshed.

Drake has been rapidly expanding its operations outside Dubai, where house prices have plunged some 60 percent since their peaks in 2008 as a result of the financial crisis.

Baghdad Lord-Mayor's office begins campaign to plant 300,000 trees:
2/20/2011 2:33 PM


BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Baghdad Lord-Mayor's office has announced on Sunday the beginning of a huge campaign to plant 300,000 trees in the Iraqi capital, as part of its plan for the next spring season, the office said.

"Baghdad Lord-Mayor's office is planning to plant 300,000 trees, 270,000 of which were bought from the UAE's Desert Company Group, 25,000 from a Turkish Company, for a total cost of about 8.5 billion (b) dinars," the Mayor's statement said.

"The trees, chosen by agricultural specialists to burden the climate and high temperatures, aim at increasing the green areas and to beautify the Iraqi capital, as well as improving its environmental conditions," he said."

PT / SKH

German Investment in Ninawa

20 February 2011.

Nineveh Investment Commission announced this week that it had signed investment contracts with two German companies to build tourist facilities on the banks of the Tigris River.

Jabor Abed Rabu, Chairman of the Commission, told AKnews that the companies involved are Zalmania and Backmana, but the value of the contracts were not disclosed.

“The two companies will build tourist facilities next July,” said Rabu, adding that “Nineveh Council will provide all facilities and support necessary requirements to facilitate the work of these companies and complete the project.”

“The Council also received delegations from other German companies to discuss other opportunities to invest in the city.”

Mosul, 405 km north of Baghdad, has many monuments, and religious sites, as well as forests, but they are neglected and suffer from lack of services.

The ministry of transport has completed design for the revamping of the Nahdha Garage and Bab Al Muadham Garages in Baghdad.

http://www.scpta.gov.iq/files/picnahda.bmp



here's the new bus garage for Najaf also by the transport ministry.
http://www.motrans.gov.iq/download/%d5%c7%dd%ed%20%d5%dd%c7.jpg

the Najaf one is much nicer lol

UK Construction Industry Looks to Iraq

21 February 2011.

The Financial Times reports that Iraq is an increasingly popular destination for British construction firms, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasting a rise in GDP of 6.75 per cent during 2011.

A project manager at one construction company bidding for work in Baghdad, says: “For the very bravehearted among us there is a huge opportunity there, but the totality of destruction in parts of the country makes planning any rebuild far from straightforward.”

The University of Salford is setting up a built environment research centre in Basra to establish building and civil engineering practices tailored to the country’s needs.

Professor Mustafa Alshawi, the Associate Dean at Salford’s College of Science & Technology, says: “Iraq has some very specific needs in its built environment sector, and there are some areas where it lacks expertise and a critical mass. By opening this new centre we will be able to train more researchers and provide staff and students with new skills and ways of working.”

“Iraq is certainly one of the next big places for the industry,” says John Barrow, a senior principal at Populous, the UK practice behind Wembley, the O2 Arena and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Populous is in advanced bidding talks to secure the design contract for a 100,000-seater stadium in central Baghdad and is eyeing work on five other stadiums across the country.

Rider Levett Bucknall, a UK construction consultancy, has been in talks with former military personnel about providing security assistance for projects in the region.

“Part of the job of project management is going to be the provision of security on developments,” says Lance Taylor, chief executive of RLB. “There is a real risk in doing work there and if you are going to manage construction projects you need to man up and make sure the security is tight.”

the master plan is to double lane all main roads in Kurdistan by end of 2012. And the materials used in the pavements are up to world standards also they can take pressure from heavy vehicles .

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5936/hewlermasifroad3er.jpg




Hawler (Erbil) - Koya Highway
Length: 65,6 KM
by Romanian Company Delta
Cost: 80Billion IDs.
completion: 750 days


http://www.ekincileryapi.com/en/iraq/dokan1.jpg






Slemani - Dukan | Completed
Length: 77 KM

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5274217959_b43a7f88fe_b.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8339/33745987.jpg




Dukan - Ranya includes a tunnel



Haji omaran - Erbil
Length: 18,2 KM
Cost: 40Billion
completion: 750 days



Kore - Qandil 51 kms



sorry text is Kurdish
http://www.pukmedia.com/kurdish/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18766:2011-02-22-12-04-47&catid=1:2009-10-08-14-13-11&Itemid=179

$90m Water Supply Contract in Dohuk

27 February 2011.

Kurdistan’s Ministry of Municipality and Tourism sealed a contract on Monday for the construction of a drinking water supply project for Amedi, in Dohuk province.

According to a report from AKnews, the ministry said the minister, Samir Abdullah Mustafa, singed the $90m contract with Ster Group and Homan Ederson.

With the project getting underway, the town of Amedi and the townships of Deraluk, Sarsing, Qadash, and Bamarne, as well as four surrounding villages will be provided 2,400 cubic meters of drinking water pre hour on average.

The project is expected to get started soon and finished in about two years.

Nineveh Signs Housing Contract with German Firm

06 March 2011.

The head of Nineveh Investment Commission has said that a German company plans to develop German-style housing complexes in Mosul, 405 km north of Baghdad.

Muafaq Mahmud told AKnews that the German company Markina signed an investment contract with the investment board in Mosul and work is scheduled to begin on the housing complexes in July.

“Nineveh needs to build thousands of housing units to contribute to solving the housing crisis,” he said, adding that the project would “provide jobs for the unemployed”.

Nineveh Investment Commission announced earlier this year that contracts had been signed with British and Turkish companies for construction totaling 30,000 housing units in Mosul and Qayyarah.

Baghdad’s al-Rashid Street– from perfume and music to motor oil and mortars
Wednesday, March 9th 2011 2:09 PM


Baghdad, March 9 (AKnews) – Of all Baghdad streets, al-Rashid Street, described as the beating heart of Iraq, holds the most cherished memories for many of the city’s citizens.Rasheed Street Photography Walid Mazidi

Opened in 1916 to connect the Mutham and Sharqi gates of the city, Rashid street has been home to government buildings, cafes and shops; artists, writers and clergymen, since the Ottoman occupation.

Having lived on Rasheed Street since his birth, 64-year-old Jamal Abdul Karim al-Qaisi told AKnews that the area once buzzed with writers, politicians and artists.

“The cafes in the street such as Umm Kulthum, Zahawi, Barlaman, Hassan Ajami, and Braziliya witnessed the greatest poetic movements of the time with (the frequentation of) poets such as Bader Shaker al-Sayyab and Mohammad Mahdi al-Jawahiri”.

The area remained symbolic of Baghdad’s thriving cultural and intellectual right up until the 1970s, Qaisi said.

Rasheed Street bookshop owner Hakim Jawad spoke with nostalgia of the street’s golden era: “The street was a source of inspiration for all writers, poets and intellectuals, as well as for clergy men and reciters of the holy Quran”.

“Among the most prominent visitors to the street were the Quran reader Sheikh Abdul Sattar al-Tayyar who was always sitting in the Zahawi cafe with a lot of merchants, intellectuals, and businessmen,” he continued.

Jawad went on to recount the changing times and how “the bright image of Baghdad has now faded”, particularly since the US-led invasion in 2003 and the ensuing violence and chaos.

“…al-Rasheed Street has lost its beauty,” he said, “the smell of motor oil has replaced the scent of the perfume stores and the sound of mortars has replaced the night whispers of the Tigris River.”

Jawad said that the years of siege and neglect have taken their toll and parts of the street are now in danger of collapsing.

One of the most famous streets in the Iraqi capital, al-Rasheed Street, known during the Ottoman rule as Khalil Pasha Avenue, was widened and paved in 1910.

The street contains some of Baghdad’s most famous mosques such as the Haidar Khana mosque, built in 1819 by Dawood Pasha, and the Hussein Pasha Mosque. Lively markets such as those of Haraj and Saray continue to bring daily bustle and a flash of colour to the area.

Many of the buildings on the street date back to the 1920s and are constructed in a combination of European and local styles. A pedestrian colonnade running along the street shades residents and visitors from the summer sun and shelters them from the winter rains.

The chairman of Baghdad’s Construction and Housing Committee Ali al-Attar, said that the city council has plans to renovate the street and the surrounding area in the immediate future.

“Once the rehabilitation is complete,” he said, “Baghdad will be making preparations to host the 2013 Arab Cultural Capital conference”.

"The executive bodies of the government must give due importance to al-Rashid Street,” he went on “because of the important place the street holds in the hearts of Baghdad citizens and in the hearts of all Iraqis”.

Reported by Laith al-Hadi

Rn/Ka/AKnews

renovation of a building in Nasiriyah:
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/41251109.jpg

yeah its a theatre in Nasriya .. it has a nice design ! I wanted to post a thread a bout it few months ago , but I couldnt find any images .

Korean Investment in Mosul Infrastructure

11 March 2011.

The Chairaman of the Nineveh Investment Commission said on Wednesday that it has signed investment contracts with 20 South Korean companies to build and rehabilitate the infrastructure in Mosul.

Mowaffaq al-Younis told AKnews that the board contracted with 20 South Korean companies specialising in electricity, sewerage, drainage, and the installation of drinking water supplies.

The infrastructure in Mosul suffered a marked decline over the past years as a result of military conflicts.

“We hope that these companies would start working next month … the Commission expects that investment in Nineveh in various public areas would be around U.S. $ 12 billion until the end of 2015.”

Korean companies have completed investment projects in Nineveh in 2010, including the reconstruction of Nineveh medicine laboratory (30 km north of Mosul), which was also equipped with modern Korean equipment, as well as establishing Wafah hospital for diabetes patients at a cost of 10 billion Iraqi Dinars

Romanian Company wins $67m Road Contract in Iraq

12 March 2011.

The Romanian company Delta ACM won a contract in Iraq for a 20.6 km long section of Erbil-Koya highway. The value of the contract is $66.7 million, says Florea Diaconu, the owner and president of Delta.

“The works will be in the Iraqi Kurdistan area”, he said. Ten other companies competed for the tender and included another Romanian company, 8 Turkish firms and a Turkish-Iranian company.

Works carried out by Delta will begin on 4 April and will last 2 years. According to Florea Diaconu, the highway will be 58.3 km long. Delta ACM had revenues of 91 million euro in 2010, 18 million euro more than in 2009.

“For this year we estimate revenues of 115 million euro. The increase is mainly due to works carried out abroad,” Diaconu said. The company, set up in 1993 specialises in building and repairing roads, especially in Bucharest, and the modernization of county and national roads.

The Romanian company Delta ACM won a contract in Iraq for a 20.6 km long section of Erbil-Koya highway. The value of the contract is $66.7 million, says Florea Diaconu, the owner and president of Delta.
“The works will be in the Iraqi Kurdistan area”, he said. Ten other companies competed for the tender and included another Romanian company, 8 Turkish firms and a Turkish-Iranian company.
Works carried out by Delta will begin on 4 April and will last 2 years. According to Florea Diaconu, the highway will be 58.3 km long. Delta ACM had revenues of 91 million euro in 2010, 18 million euro more than in 2009.
“For this year we estimate revenues of 115 million euro. The increase is mainly due to works carried out abroad,” Diaconu said. The company, set up in 1993 specialises in building and repairing roads, especially in Bucharest, and the modernization of county and national roads.

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Delta-ACM-logo.gif
Source:
http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2011/03/12/romanian-company-wins-67m-road-contract-in-iraq/

Basra:

Y_TNb6hS86I

Sorry but i have to say it in arabic ^^ Sheno haze volek shile ghabel ma nenfohzeh yemel ajaneb lool

Sorry but i have to say it in arabic ^^ Sheno haze volek shile ghabel ma nenfohzeh yemel ajaneb lool

lol why...it's not that bad

PUKmedia 2011-03-16
The KRG construction and housing ministry has allocated 157 billion Iraqi dinars to construct a 2.450 km tunnel, linking Shaqlawa district to Erbil far easier, Shaqlawa district governor Dlawar Omer told PUKmedia Wednesday.
The tunnel will be built by a Turkish construction company and it will reduce the travel time from Shaqlawa to Erbil city to 20 minutes.
Shaqlawa district lies 51 km northeast of Erbil.

got you some really good updates about the following project (a hospital)
http://www.nasiriyah.org/nar/ifm.php?recordID=22870

got many photos as well. i remember posting pictures about this project before but i cant remember where. if you find the relevant thread for this project then plz post it there.

another project which we might get some photos for is:
http://nahrain.com/d/news/11/01/110316f.htm

thanks Iraq Spirt

I think we should open a thread for the hospital one if there isn't one already...

I will try to look for it and see if i can find one

thanks Iraq Spirt

I think we should open a thread for the hospital one if there isn't one already...

I will try to look for it and see if i can find one

the relevant thread is here http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1268913

^^ thanks sheytan. But according to the article, the company name is Universal, not Acarsan.. are you certain this is the same project?

here is the quote from the article that Iraqspirit posted:

شبكة اخبار الناصرية/زمن الشيخلي:
شهد مشروع بناء المستشفى التركي في محافظة ذي قار احد المستشفيات الكبرى في المحافظة وأكثرها تطورا ، تحقيق نسبة انجاز متقدمة مقارنة ببقية المستشفيات المماثلة التي بنيت في محافظات عراقية أخرى .
وقال محافظ ذي قار طالب الحسن الذي تفقد اليوم سير العمل في بناء المستشفى ، ان المستشفى الذي أنشئ على أطلال المستشفى العسكري في الناصرية سيبنى بسبعة طوابق وعلى مساحة إجمالية قدرها 30 دونما ومساحة بناء قدرها 25 ألف متر مربع ليضم 400 سرير و بكلفة إجمالية قدرها 165 مليار دينار وهي كلفة توازي موازنة المحافظة بأسرها خلال العام الماضي .
وأشار إلى إن المستشفى بني تمويل من وزارة التخطيط والحكومة المركزية مؤكدا إن العمل بالمستشفى سينتهي نهاية العام 2012 ليتقدم بذلك على أربع مستشفيات اخرى في محافظات بابل وكربلاء والبصرة وميسان .
من جانبه قال محمد مسعود تشكار مدير موقع العمل في شرة يونيفيرسل التركية ، ان شركته تقوم ببناء المستشفى بسعة 400 سرير في الناصرية فضلا عن مستشفيات أخرى في محافظات أخرى .
وأشار إلى إن نسبة الانجاز في مستشفى محافظة ذي قار متقدمة مقارنة بما أنجز في مستشفيات المحافظات الأخرى حيث بلغت لغاية الآن نحو 30% وقد تم تجهيزه باحدث التقنيات الأوربية والتركية .
إلى ذلك قال المهندس رحيم ألخاقاني معاون محافظ ذي قار للشؤون الفنية إن المستشفى بني على مساحة بناء فعلية قدرها 20 الف دونم .
واوضح ان المستشفى يضم الاقسام الطبية كافة ودار أطباء ومجمع خدمات وهو بواقع سبعة طوابق ويعد من المشاريع المهمة والإستراتيجية والحيوية في المحافظة .
( ت ع ح )

^^ thanks sheytan. But according to the article, the company name is Universal, not Acarsan.. are you certain this is the same project?

here is the quote from the article that Iraqspirit posted:

here you go.

http://www.nasiriyah.org/all%20image/pictures%2011/Turki%20hospital%2016%203%202011/nasiriyah042.jpg

^^ aaha ! thanks for that :) why didn't I look at the pictures for signs :doh:

واقع العقار والاستثمار في العراق - برنامج في الموقع من قناة العربية

Video
http://www.alarabiya.net/programs/2011/01/10/132942.html

Iraq to Sign $15 Billion Housing Contract Next Month

Iraq will sign a $15 billion contract for a housing project with Arab investors next month, Saber al-Issawi, the governor of Baghdad, said.

An investor from the United Arab Emirates and another group of companies from the U.A.E. and Kuwait are the finalists in the bidding process, he said in an interview today in Amman.

“We will either choose one of them, or split the project between the two groups,” he said. He declined to identify the companies.

The project, Madinat al-Mustaqbal, or City of the Future, is for 35,000 to 40,000 apartments and related infrastructure in al-Duhna, western Baghdad.

The Baghdad commission intends to sign contracts for more than 20 projects this year, he said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-24/iraq-to-sign-15-billion-housing-contract-next-month.html

Kentz Positions Itself for Further Growth in Iraq

28 March 2011.

Kentz Corporation Limited, the holding company of the Kentz engineering and construction group, has positioned itself for further project opportunities in Iraq.

In its annual report, issued this morning, the company said:

“One area, where we see significant outlook for both capex and opex contracts is in Iraq. During the period Kentz took a 49% stake in an Iraqi company, Dome General Contracting Company Ltd, thereby offering local content coupled with all of the Kentz service offerings for future opportunities. We have already secured our first contract in country.

“During 2010 our investment in DomeGeneral Contracting Company Ltd. (Iraq) was completed to support our strategy to provide process and non-process EPC services for upstream infrastructure development in Iraq. Kentz was recently awarded an engineering services contract with a leading international oil company for upstream oil facilities. The scope includes front end engineering design (FEED) and geotechnical and topographical surveying of a 900 hectare block covering well sites, well clusters and intra-field roads, the central processing facility, water intake and accommodation for operations people. Following the FEED, Kentz will provide detailed engineering design for the well sites, well clusters and intra-field roads and construction management for the project. The project positions Kentz well for further project opportunities in Iraq.”

Mortgage Bank Increases Credit for Housing

31 March 2011.

Iraq’s Mortgage Bank has decided to raise the personal credit, granted for any citizen planning to build a house, to 60 million Iraqi dinars [$53,000], the Bank’s Director-General, Hussein Ahmed Tu’ma, said on Wednesday.

He said that the minimum total area of each patch of land would be decreased to 90 square meters from 100 meters, adding that the Finance Ministry plans to increase the Mortgage Bank’s capital to 75 billion dinars, and eventually to 150 billion dinars next year.

Baghdad Lord-Mayor’s office signs contracts to build 2 trade moles
4/5/2011 1:22 PM



BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Baghdad Lord-Mayor’s office has signed contracts with specialized companies to build two trade moles in the Iraqi capital for US$54 millions, it has reported in a statement on Tuesday.


“The Baghdad Lord-Mayor’s office has signed a contract with Dar al-Sabah Company to build a mole in west Baghdad’s Harithiya district, for US$42 millions,” the statement said.


It added that the Mayor’s office had signed another contract with the International Amwaj Company to build another mole in east Baghdad’s Palestine Street, for US$12 millions.


“The said moles shall comprise several trade shops, marketing centers, restaurants, welfare and play grounds, as well as gardens and car parks, that would be financed by private businessmen,” the statement concluded.


SKH (ST)

maybe a stupid question, but what is a mole?

aswat published this article later which makes things clear: 2 new malls

2 malls in Baghdad with $54 million
4/5/2011 6:13 PM

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Mayoralty of Baghdad signed on Tuesday two contracts with two companies to set up two malls in the capital at a cost of $54 million.
“The mayoralty signed a deal with Dar al-Sabah company to establish a mall in al-Harithiya region at $42 million within 3 years,” according to an official statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The MoB signed another deal with Amwag company to establish al-Nakhil mall in Palestine street region at $12 million,” it added.
The malls will include stores, centers, restaurants and entertainment areas.

SH (TP)

maybe a stupid question, but what is a mole?

:rofl:

It suppose to be "mall"

I see these mistakes everywhere with Iraq based articles

aswat published this article later which makes things clear: 2 new malls

2 malls in Baghdad with $54 million
4/5/2011 6:13 PM

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The Mayoralty of Baghdad signed on Tuesday two contracts with two companies to set up two malls in the capital at a cost of $54 million.
“The mayoralty signed a deal with Dar al-Sabah company to establish a mall in al-Harithiya region at $42 million within 3 years,” according to an official statement received by Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
“The MoB signed another deal with Amwag company to establish al-Nakhil mall in Palestine street region at $12 million,” it added.
The malls will include stores, centers, restaurants and entertainment areas.

SH (TP)

very good news! baghdad needs more malls! 42 mil is a lot, im expecting something good

Sadr City Reconstruction to Employ 100,000
Posted on 08 April 2011

A major project for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of west Baghdad’s al-Sadr City will employ between 75,000 and 100,000 people during its implementation period, and another 50,000, Baghdad’s Mayor, Sabir al-Issawi said on Wednesday.

According to the report from Aswat al-Iraq news agency, Issawi stressed that the project would comprise the construction of several multi-storey buildings, along with social, environment, and administration facilities, as well as hospitals, a university, schools, kindergartens, stadiums, sport and trade centers.

“The project, in its first phase, comprising the construction of 82,000 housing units, shall be implemented by an international company on an 18 square kilometer area east of al-Sadr city, which will be implemented by the High Committee for the Main Design of Baghdad city,” he concluded.

The project is valued at $11.3bn, and will be carried out by six Turkish contractors, includung Kur Insaat, Kazova Insaat, Iskaya AS and Kocoglu Insaat.

very good news! baghdad needs more malls! 42 mil is a lot, im expecting something good

an "average" mall price is about $1000/m2 so $42M is probably a 40,000m2 gross area mall which is rather small.

an "average" mall price is about $1000/m2 so $42M is probably a 40,000m2 gross area mall which is rather small.

but i thought construction costs in iraq are rather cheap?

very good news! baghdad needs more malls!

No please, malls will ruin Baghdad. Staying away from closed-space buildings and developing the shopping avenues at al-mansoor, al-karrada... would be great!

No please, malls will ruin Baghdad. Staying away from closed-space buildings and developing the shopping avenues at al-mansoor, al-karrada est... would be great!

what about malls + developing those shopping avenues, it'll be an all-round experience :P

No please, malls will ruin Baghdad. Staying away from closed-space buildings and developing the shopping avenues at al-mansoor, al-karrada... would be great!

air conditioned malls will enable comfortable shopping in al weather and ensure higher footfall for retailers in an enclosed space.

but i thought construction costs in iraq are rather cheap?

naah, its all pretty "average". in fact $1000/m2 is on the low side if one wants a "nice" mall.

air conditioned malls will enable comfortable shopping in al weather and ensure higher footfall for retailers in an enclosed space.

it's also safer :)

Najaf to Build “10,000 Flats” for Teachers

21 April 2011.

According to a report from Azzaman, the Province of Najaf is to build 10,000 flats to house school teachers as part of a new policy to upgrade education in schools across the province.

Governor Adnan al-Zarqai said his local administration has decided to place more emphasis on developing all aspects of education in the province.

“Iraq’s problems are huge and addressing them requires massive budgets for several years. Our priorities in the province are health and education and this places more responsibilities on our shoulders to build more schools and new houses for teachers”, the Governor said.

He said more school buildings were needed to solve problems related to overcrowding and buildings being used by several schools at a time.

The holy city of Najaf has attracted a lot of foreign investment but most of it has centered on tourism and related industries such as hotels.

Zarqai said it was time to allow both private and foreign entrepreneurs to invest in education.

He said his province would not mind establishing private schools to ease the pressure on state-run schools.

He said 30 more schools were to be built throughout the province this year.

But most ambitious among Najaf’s projects in the educational sector is the decision to build 10,000 flats to house all teachers working in the province.

These flats will be built in different parts and in close proximity of schools in provincial towns and villages.

“The provision of decent housing to teachers will save them from skyrocketing rents which devour most of their monthly salaries,” Zarqai said.

i heard about a project similar to this a while ago, but im not sure if its actually this one,they've been giving out built pieces of land to teachers in najaf. their usually around 250 m^3, with a flat fee of around $140,000, i think $50K upfront and the rest in increments but its well beyond market price, so no one's complaining. matter of fact i already know a few relatives who have paid and received the property but im not 100% certain if it was built or was being built. but what i dont understand is why they're giving these out to teachers who's salary's already beyond the $1000 p.m, yet they keep getting more and more benefits while the level of poverty in the city is the same as it was years ago. i have many family and friends who benefited from this offer where they get the land and sell it within days for a large profit.

We robably need to open new thread for this one. im a bit confused of its name in english!
what do u think?

s5DEm5m4rBA

thanks for the post IraqSpirit

you right, it looks like a really good project, and it deserves it's own thread.. but we have no idea what to call it.

I guess you can give it any name that you like at this point, and we can rename it once we have more details.

KRG Temporarily Suspends Land Allocations to Private Companies
Posted on 25 April 2011.

As part of the reform program announced by President of Iraqi Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani (pictured), and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), all land allocations to private companies and investors have been suspended for two months, pending a new, more efficient mechanism for land allocations.
This decision excludes agricultural and industrial projects, as well as projects undertaken by what it describes as ‘reputable international companies’.
Fuad Hussein of the Kurdistan Region Presidency said that a decree has been sent to the KRG Council of Ministers to immediately implement this measure.
The KRG Investment Law of 2006 offers attractive land incentives to encourage local and international private companies do business in the Kurdistan Region.

Iraq cabinet approves $37 bn for infrastructure
(AFP) – 1 hour ago
BAGHDAD — Baghdad on Tuesday approved an ambitious $37-billion programme to upgrade Iraq's collapsing infrastructure, which has fallen victim to three decades of war and sanctions.
The cabinet's plans, which must now be approved by parliament, are the latest in efforts by the government to placate protesters who have railed against poor public services and a lack of improvement in their daily lives, eight years on from the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.
"The total cost of the proposed development programme is estimated at $37-billion spread over various vital sectors," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement.
The allocated funds will be spread over several years, he said.
The draft law to authorise the investment has been languishing for more than a year, with Maliki having initially proposed it before March 2010 election.
Opposition parties at the time objected to it, viewing it as a pre-election spending spree to lure voters.
Of the areas that will receive investment, the biggest commitment is to transport infrastructure, with $10 billion worth of spending planned, with an additional $1.5 billion for highways.
Three separate allocations of $5 billion each were made for education, water and sewage, and agriculture. Another $3 billion was committed for health infrastructure, and a further $2 billion for higher education.
Much of Iraq's infrastructure remains in a poor state, with little investment having been made into the country since Saddam's 1980-1988 war with Iran.
Shortly after that war, Saddam invaded Kuwait in 1990, which led to more than a decade of international sanctions, followed by the 2003 US-led invasion ousted him.

so the spending breakdown:

$10Bn "transport"
$1.5Bn highways
$5Bn Schools
$5Bn water
$5Bn sewage
$5Bn agriculture
$3Bn health infrastructure
$2Bn higher education

so the spending breakdown:

$10Bn "transport"
$1.5Bn highways
$5Bn Schools
$5Bn water
$5Bn sewage
$5Bn agriculture
$3Bn health infrastructure
$2Bn higher education

Nothing for electricity :S ?

Nothing for electricity :S ?

you've seen the number of power stations funded ALREADY!?? Electricity is already OVER funded.

you've seen the number of power stations funded ALREADY!?? Electricity is already OVER funded.

over funded ? why are they always complaining about lack of funds :lol:

According to the electricity minister, Iraq needs about $6 billion a year of investments for the foreseeable future, they claim they're getting less than half (by a reasonable margin) from the budget.

Iraq to build six investment zones

Babel - The chairman of the investment board in Babel (100 km) south of Baghdad said Tuesday that the National Organization of investment in cooperation with the economic development of OECD agreed to identify six proposed areas of investment in a number of Iraqi provinces, including Babel.

Alaa Harba told AKnews that Hittin site in northern Babel Province is one of the sites that have been selected as investment sites and will be configured as a development, area "adding," proposed areas for investment prepared by the board included Baghdad , Anbar, Basra, Nineveh and Babel and the area between Najaf and Karbala provinces.

"other proposed areas are Baghdad airport that will be invested for trade and logistics purposes , Khor al-Zubair area in Basra will be allocated for transport services , an area in Nineveh province will be allocated for investing, industrial and mechanical projects , Middle Euphrates region, which lies between Karbala and Najaf will be allocated for food industries while an area in Anbar province was selected for investment in construction and ceramic industries projects. "

"The investment board prepared a strategy for the establishment of investment zones in Iraq in an effort to apply the investment concept areas in a different way from other investment projects in the Iraqi economy such as industrial and duty free areas ".

"There are meetings and workshops organized by National Commission for Investment, Babel Investment Authority and Economic Cooperation and Development Organization, in collaboration with the World Bank in the future in order to make a draft law of industrial zones in Iraq that would create a developed industry in the country."
© AK News 2011

5,280 Housing Unit Project for Basra

The Basra Investment Commission announced that it has received an offer to build 5,280 housing units in the “New Basra” City at a cost of $939 million [1100 billion Iraqi dinars].

The offer came from the al-Saqr al-Jareh [al-Saqar al-Jareh] company, whose director general, Sarah Hameed Meran, said, “The project plan includes the construction of 5280 residential unit in a modern vertical design, in addition to 963 villas, shops, shopping centre, service buildings, schools, mosques, sport and health centers, water desalination plant and power plant … the cost of the project is 939 million dollars to be achieved in 10 years and that the project requires an area of 450 acres”.

“The residential sector represents a top priority for BIC in an attempt to solve the housing problem in Basra,” said Haidar Ali Fadel [Haider Ali Fadhil], the BIC Chairman.

$10m Mall Project Starts in Erbil

The foundation stone was laid for a new $10m [12 billion Iraqi dinar] commercial complex and shopping centre in Erbil on Sunday.

Samir Abdullah, Minister of Municipalities and Tourism of the Government of the Kurdistan Region, emphasised the importance of Kuwaiti investments in the region.

Nasser Al Sayer, Chairman of the Kuwait Al-Sayer Group of Companies, which owns the project, said, “we chose the Kurdistan region because it enjoys security and stability.”

He added that the shopping centre includes two floors of shops and two floors of parking and extends on an area of ​​eight thousand square meters.

Erbil’s Governor, Nawzad Hadi, said Kuwaiti investments “will lead to the development of the city and will also have an effect on other companies to come to the region and investment in it.”

Dewan to help redevelop famous Iraqi football club

* United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, May 11 - 2011 at 13:36
* PRESS RELEASE

Dewan Architects & Engineers, one of the region's leading architectural and engineering consultancy firms, has signed a design consultancy services contract with Leadstay, part of the ASK Group of Companies, for the redevelopment of one of Iraq's most famous sports clubs, the Nadi Al Karakh Football Club, situated in the prestigious Al Mansour area of Baghdad, Iraq.

Dewan's scope and responsibilities will include the masterplanning, architectural and engineering design, and construction supervision of the project, which has an estimated construction value of US$175 million, and which is set to be completed within four years.

Formed in 1963, and serving as the oldest football stadium in Iraq, Nadi Al Karakh has noteworthy historical value, and the aim of the project is to return the club to its former glory by highlighting its history and significance.

Says Mohamed Al Assam, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Dewan: "The Nadi Al Karakh Football Club used to be a vibrant social centre. By undertaking the redevelopment of this significant stadium, the oldest in Iraq, we want to return it to its previous grandeur by once again making it the centre of Iraqi social life - this time with additional modern recreational and entertainment facilities."

Once redeveloped, Nadi Al Karakh will offer a host of new amenities, including a shopping mall, cinema, gym, swimming pool, football grounds, hotel with function halls, as well as an exclusive club for the area's social elite. The site's location - in the affluent Al Mansour area near the Baghdad International Fair & Exhibition Centre - means that it is ideally situated close to a number of key facilities.

Says Al Assam: "The ultimate aim is to create a major commercial lifestyle destination that offers a multitude of mixed-use facilities in one of the most affluent and well known districts of central Baghdad.

"The inclusion of various sports facilities goes back to the Club's roots, while the addition of a 4/5 star business hotel will serve the business market, in particular participants of the Baghdad International Fair & Exhibition Centre, which is located opposite the site. The cinema and entertainment complex will ensure ample entertainment, adding yet another dimension."

The redevelopment will include an overhaul of the Club's spectator stadium, which will have a capacity of at least 30,000.

According to Ahmed Kazzaz, Chairman of Leadstay, the redevelopment of this site will not only restore this prestigious site to its former glory, but will also provide the city with much needed sporting, social and business amenities.

Mr. Kazzaz stated:" "We are very excited about this project and look forward to working with Dewan Architects & Engineers to redevelop the club grounds and create a real mixed-use development that will be the first of its type in Iraq and that will serve the community for many years to come."

Dewan Architects & Engineers is a regional architectural and engineering design firm with offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and the Philippines and with over 26 years of industry successes across GCC countries, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The firm was recently ranked amongst the 60th largest architectural firm globally, and the 3rd largest in the region, according to prestigious industry publication Building Design Magazine in its January 2010 issue, which featured the magazine's annual 'World Architecture Top 100' - a unique, definitive listing of the world's largest architecture practices.

Dewan to help redevelop famous Iraqi football club

* United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, May 11 - 2011 at 13:36
* PRESS RELEASE

Dewan Architects & Engineers, one of the region's leading architectural and engineering consultancy firms, has signed a design consultancy services contract with Leadstay, part of the ASK Group of Companies, for the redevelopment of one of Iraq's most famous sports clubs, the Nadi Al Karakh Football Club, situated in the prestigious Al Mansour area of Baghdad, Iraq.

Dewan's scope and responsibilities will include the masterplanning, architectural and engineering design, and construction supervision of the project, which has an estimated construction value of US$175 million, and which is set to be completed within four years.

Formed in 1963, and serving as the oldest football stadium in Iraq, Nadi Al Karakh has noteworthy historical value, and the aim of the project is to return the club to its former glory by highlighting its history and significance.

Says Mohamed Al Assam, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Dewan: "The Nadi Al Karakh Football Club used to be a vibrant social centre. By undertaking the redevelopment of this significant stadium, the oldest in Iraq, we want to return it to its previous grandeur by once again making it the centre of Iraqi social life - this time with additional modern recreational and entertainment facilities."

Once redeveloped, Nadi Al Karakh will offer a host of new amenities, including a shopping mall, cinema, gym, swimming pool, football grounds, hotel with function halls, as well as an exclusive club for the area's social elite. The site's location - in the affluent Al Mansour area near the Baghdad International Fair & Exhibition Centre - means that it is ideally situated close to a number of key facilities.

Says Al Assam: "The ultimate aim is to create a major commercial lifestyle destination that offers a multitude of mixed-use facilities in one of the most affluent and well known districts of central Baghdad.

"The inclusion of various sports facilities goes back to the Club's roots, while the addition of a 4/5 star business hotel will serve the business market, in particular participants of the Baghdad International Fair & Exhibition Centre, which is located opposite the site. The cinema and entertainment complex will ensure ample entertainment, adding yet another dimension."

The redevelopment will include an overhaul of the Club's spectator stadium, which will have a capacity of at least 30,000.

According to Ahmed Kazzaz, Chairman of Leadstay, the redevelopment of this site will not only restore this prestigious site to its former glory, but will also provide the city with much needed sporting, social and business amenities.

Mr. Kazzaz stated:" "We are very excited about this project and look forward to working with Dewan Architects & Engineers to redevelop the club grounds and create a real mixed-use development that will be the first of its type in Iraq and that will serve the community for many years to come."

Dewan Architects & Engineers is a regional architectural and engineering design firm with offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and the Philippines and with over 26 years of industry successes across GCC countries, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The firm was recently ranked amongst the 60th largest architectural firm globally, and the 3rd largest in the region, according to prestigious industry publication Building Design Magazine in its January 2010 issue, which featured the magazine's annual 'World Architecture Top 100' - a unique, definitive listing of the world's largest architecture practices.

http://static.amefiles.com/images/news/large/3/1204263-work-Dewan.jpg

http://www.ameinfo.com/264817.html

rttln11P93I

Opx8VO41b1E

Iraq Buildex Exhibition 2012

Iraq’s rebuilding process has been the main focus of a massive number of local and international building and construction companies as well as contractors and sub-contractors. Tens of billions of dollars have been invested in housing projects, hospitals, schools and infrastructure in Iraq over the past years and Baghdad, being the capital city of Iraq, hosted the largest commercial activities especially in 2010 following an upward trend.

Iraq National Investment Commission and the Ministry of Planning issued a call for some 3.5 million houses to be build in 10 years time. National Investment Commission expects that 85% of this construction plan will be realized by private sector. It is also estimated that the sector will be the most attractive operation field for foreign commercial activity in the next decade. Residential Real Estate Sector was the primary sector for investment in 2010 by comprising 33.1% of foreign investment that costed 14 billion USD.

Iraq Buildex International Building and Building Materials Exhibition will be a unique meeting platform for international investors operating in the construction sector to supply their products and services to meet the demand of both housing and infrastructure projects of country. Please contact enginyoruk@iraqbuildex.com to take the advantages of Early Booking!

i found this...

pcZyCNg6M7s

^^ umm.. is that a real project, or concepts?

that middle glass tower looks identical to one in Dubai (damas tower i think it was called.. can't remember)..

This is from the new housing project "Al Refah" in Baladiyat, Baghdad.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1187441 I will repost the video there...

This is from the new housing project "Al Refah" in Baladiyat, Baghdad.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1187441 I will repost the video there...

oh yea!! forgot about that one.. thanks for that :)

I found this:

17401537

Hanwha Engineering: Signs Preliminary Pact For $7.25 Billion Iraq Project
By Se Young Lee
Published May 26, 2011 | Dow Jones Newswires

SEOUL -(Dow Jones)- South Korea's Hanwha Engineering & Construction Corp. on Thursday said it signed a preliminary agreement for a $7.25 billion construction project to build a new town in Iraq.

A Hanwha spokesman said a final contract between Hanwha and Iraq's National Investment Commission for the deal will likely be signed later this year. The construction will take seven years to complete from the signing of a final contract.

The site for the construction work is about 25 kilometers east of central Baghdad, Iraq's capital. Hanwha E&C is an unlisted unit of conglomerate Hanwha Group.

^^ Great news :)

Hanwha Engineering: Signs Preliminary Pact For $7.25 Billion Iraq Project
By Se Young Lee
Published May 26, 2011 | Dow Jones Newswires

SEOUL -(Dow Jones)- South Korea's Hanwha Engineering & Construction Corp. on Thursday said it signed a preliminary agreement for a $7.25 billion construction project to build a new town in Iraq.

A Hanwha spokesman said a final contract between Hanwha and Iraq's National Investment Commission for the deal will likely be signed later this year. The construction will take seven years to complete from the signing of a final contract.

The site for the construction work is about 25 kilometers east of central Baghdad, Iraq's capital. Hanwha E&C is an unlisted unit of conglomerate Hanwha Group.

http://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/news/110526_p18_hanwha.jpg

By Kim Tae-gyu

Hanwha Engineering & Construction (E&C) has won a mega deal worth $7.25 billion to build a new town in Iraq near the capital.

Hanwha E&C said Thursday that its Vice Chairman Kim Hyun-chung signed the contract with Iraqi National Investment Commission Chairman Sami R. Al-Araji in Bagdad. The Gulf nation’s Prime Minister Nouri Kamil Al Maliki also took part in the signing ceremony.

The company plans to break ground at the 1,830-hectare site situated 25 kilometers east of Bagdad this year with the aim of wrapping up the project in about seven years or by 2017 at the earliest.

``Based on our experience in Korea, we will facilitate various infrastructure first at the new town where up to 100,000 houses will be built for Iraqi residents,’’ a Hanwha E&C spokesman said.

``We have made efforts from last year to win the order, which marks Korea’s first case of exporting our expertise and knowledge on new towns on such a huge scale. This is an opportunity for us to show our capabilities to the Middle East and North African areas.’’

Hanwha, an unlisted unit of the conglomerate Hanwha Group, will forge ahead with the project from the very beginning to the very final touches encompassing the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) format.

``We will start with the design of the whole installation to the actual construction so that people can simply move in to the houses at the new town. In other words, we will take care of everything from A to Z, which is possible for only a few versatile and competitive contractors,’’ he said.

EPC is a format of contract in the construction business under which the constructor is supposed to design the entire project, procure the necessary materials and build it on its own or through subcontracts.

Asked about the financing aspects of the contract, Hanwha said that Iraq will pay the total price tag of $7.25 billion in stages.

``Iraq is scheduled to provide 10 percent as a down payment and 5 percent in intermediate payments at three subsequent times. Plus, the country will pay part of the remainder step by step after the completion of some facilities,’’ the spokesman said.

Hanwha E&C has fared well both at home and abroad.

The company successfully carried out a large-sized development project in Incheon, west of Seoul. It also garnered a $1.2 billion deal involving industrial plants in Saudi Arabia.

Currently, a total of five international construction works are underway by Hanwha including oil refineries in Algeria and liquefied natural gas plants in Kuwait.

Hanwha E&C announced its long-term goal early this year of joining the ranks of the global top 100 constructors. Toward that end, the corporation is briskly tapping into new areas such as renewable energy on top of strengthening its existing businesses.

By maintaining top-tier competitiveness in its core businesses, the firm hopes to rack up more than 20-percent in growth per year in global turnover through 2015 by which time over 40 percent of its sales would be generated overseas.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2011/05/123_87740.html

Hill Intl Shares Jump on $1.5b Iraq Deal

Posted on 03 June 2011.

Shares in Hill International (NYSE:HIL) jumped 59% on Thursday following the company’s announcement that it has received a contract from TRAC Development Group, a South Korean real estate developer, to provide project management and construction management services in connection with a major housing development in Iraq.

In addition, Hill’s majority-owned subsidiary HillStone International, LLC has received a contract to supply building structural systems to TRAC for the development.

The total development includes the construction of 500,000 housing units plus related infrastructure which was granted to TRAC by the National Investment Commission of Iraq. The total development is estimated to cost approximately $35 billion. The Hill and HillStone contracts are each for the first phase of the development only, which includes construction of the first 100,000 housing units plus related infrastructure.

The contracts, each for a period of three years, have an estimated value to Hill of approximately $200 million and to HillStone of approximately $1.3 billion. These two contracts nearly triple Hill’s backlog, from less than $800 million to approximately $2.3 billion.

While the contracts with Hill and HillStone are contingent upon TRAC successfully obtaining financing and final governmental approvals for the development, work is expected to begin under these contracts in the fourth quarter of 2011 and be completed by the end of 2014.

Other companies expected to be involved in the development include South Korea’s Hyundai Development Co. as general contractor and Texas-based Nucor Steel and Illinois-based Louvres LED International as suppliers.

“TRAC Development Group looks forward to working with Hill and HillStone in Iraq,” said Chong Min Mun, TRAC’s Chairman. “With extensive experience in Iraq, Hill and HillStone will provide construction technology and cost-efficient methodology to be implemented in the project. Inviting Hyundai Development Co. to join the partnership of TRAC, Hill and HillStone will bring world-class construction technologies and expertise into the region to help ensure we are able to meet project budgets and timetables,” Mun added.

“We are excited by this opportunity to support the construction of homes in Iraq,” said Irvin E. Richter, Hill’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Hill and HillStone offer a unique combination of services and products ideal for this housing development and we look forward to helping make this ambitious effort a success for our client and for the people of Iraq,” Richter added.

HillStone International is a strategic technologies distribution and construction project development company that utilizes low-cost yet high-durability housing technologies domestically and in regions of the world where housing solutions are a high priority of various governmental and private interests. HillStone is owned 51% by Hill International.

Hill International, with 3,000 employees in 100 offices worldwide, provides program management, project management, construction management and construction claims and consulting services. Engineering News-Record magazine recently ranked Hill as the 8th largest construction management firm in the United States.

Korea Considers 80,000 Housing Units in Basra

Posted on 23 June 2011.

The Chairman of Basra Investment Commission has called on Korean companies to study the city’s investment map and consider th opportunity to build 80,000 housing units in the city.

The issue had been discussed in a meeting between Haider Ali Fadhel and Basra Governor, Khalaf Abdul-Samad, with the South-Korean Ambassador to Baghdad and his delegation at Basra Council’s office, in the presence of its Assistant-Governors, Nizar al-Jabiry and Dr. Ahmed al-Hassany.

“The housing sector in Basra needs the participation of large foreign companies, in order to share in the construction of the 80,000 housing units project in Basra, being part of a national plan to build one million housing units in Iraq,” Adul-Samad said in a statement on Wednesday.

The South-Korean Ambassador pointed out towards his government’s efforts to create “a twinning between Basra and the Korean city of Osan, inviting Basra Governor to visit Korea at the earliest possible opportunity.”

There are nice projects listed on AlFao Eng. Company website. A lot of them are constructed already!

http://www.faoco.moch.gov.iq/english/consol_en.htm


Here is the list for "Projects Under Construction at Present"

http://www.faoco.moch.gov.iq/english/proju_en.htm

thanks for that MKTJ. Good to see Farouq company back to working at capacity.

Someone needs to teach Iraqis web design. They're all dreadful, feel like it's 1995 again and everyone is getting to grips with HTML lol.

New airport planned in Najaf - Official
7/6/2011 5:27 PM


NAJAF / Aswat al-Iraq: The director of construction and planning in Najaf Province announced today that a piece of land was allocated in Najaf Sea to build a new international airport which shall be put forward for investment.


Abdul Kareem al-Khawaja told Aswat al-Iraq that the new airport will have two landing areas according to international standards..


Commenting on the current Najaf Airport, he added it will accomodate domestic flights and neighboring countries only.


Najaf Governor Adnal Al-Zarfi disclosed that there are plans to increase the space of Najaf city by new housing complexes as well as industrial and agricultural projects.


Najaf city lies 160 km south of the capital, Baghdad.


RM (TS)/SR

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

this is really insane. every 'big' city an airport, oke. but 2 airports in one city with only 700.000 inhabitants.......come on, like the current najaf airport can't handle flights anymore :|

utter utter insanity!

this is really insane. every 'big' city an airport, oke. but 2 airports in one city with only 700.000 inhabitants.......come on, like the current najaf airport can't handle flights anymore :|

It's not about the residents, it's about the visitors.

Still, this is sounds silly. Plus religious tourism is not something we should be encouraging.

Plus religious tourism is not something we should be encouraging

why not? its a crucial part of our economy...plus every muslim has a right to visit the religious sights...

why not? its a crucial part of our economy...plus every muslim has a right to visit the religious sights...

agree

$850m Housing Projects for Karbala

Posted on 10 July 2011.

The Karbala Investment Commission laid the cornerstone for four housing developments valued at a total of $850 million [1 trillion Iraqi dinars], and consisting of about 11.000 housing units, Media Director Raed al-Asali told Aswat al-Iraq:


The first project will be carried out by a Chinese company to erect 1,300 housing units in Hur area, 5 km west of Karbala, at a cost of 70 million dollars;


The second consists of 5,166 housing units to be built by a Turkish company, 10 km southwest of Karbala at a cost of 467 million dollars;

The third will cover 3,828 housing units to be implemented by a Canadian company at a cost of 76 million dollars;

The fourth project will cost 237 million dollars, include 1,300 housing units by a Turkish company, 2 km outside of the main city.
He added the infrastructure requirements, such as sewerage, water, communications, electricity, internal roads, hospitals, police stations, markets and malls, will be included in these projects.

Details of Karbala Monorail

Posted on 19 July 2011.

Iraq’s National Investment Commission (NIC) has issued details of a proposed new monorail transport system for the city of Karbala.


Project Name: Karbala Monorail


General Specifications: Concrete monorail train that goes 6 meters above the medium sideway.


Length of the preliminary line:


Length of the operating lines: 15 KM


The second and third phases to be agreed upon later.


The first phase line length shall cover the visitors city / Baghdad road, Baghdad Gate street, Baghdad gate for the two holy shrines, Al- Hussain Bridge, Twereege Gate street, Hor Al- Seeb train station, the new Janoob garage, KarbalaUniversity, Al-Ibrahemia


Stations: between 10 and 15


The normal station sideway length is 70 Meter with escalators and lifts for the disabled on the two sides of the station.


Main stations of the start and end and other substations.


Maximum speed: 80-90 KM/H


Curves not to exceed 60 meters radius.


The capacity of each carriage of the train is not less than 300 passengers.


The successive coming of the trains to the station must take (1,5-2 M) in the two directions.


The train must manage dealing with the current city bridges and to develop the designs of the future bridges to suit the flow path of the train line.


The line can be developed later to cover other area like Al- Hur and other important areas with 15 KM length.


The project shall guarantee transporting visitors during the big processions with transport capacity that reaches 500,000 passenger/day in the two directions.


Source: http://www.investpromo.gov.iq/index.php?id=13&items=527

Municipality of Baghdad confirms the metro project designs by French company Tetra
July 25 2011


Alsumaria News / Baghdad
Confirmed the secretariat of Baghdad, on Monday, that a French company is currently preparing preliminary designs for the Metro DC, called upon the French companies to compete with other international companies for the implementation of reconstruction projects, said the French ambassador in Iraq that Baghdad is witnessing stable security encourages companies to work with.

The Mayor of Baghdad, Sabir al-Issawi said in a statement issued by his office today on the sidelines of his meeting with French Ambassador in Iraq, a religious Gauer, and received "Alsumaria News", a copy of it, "The company Tetra French is currently preparing preliminary designs for the Baghdad Metro Project," stressing " need to urge the company to expedite the preparation of such designs in a timely manner, in order to invite international companies, including the French to begin the implementation of the metro. "

He renewed his call for al-Issawi, "for French companies to compete with other global companies for the implementation of reconstruction projects of Baghdad," noting that "the secretariat of Baghdad has a special relationship and is keen to develop with the French companies currently implemented Mcharie strategy."

He al-Issawi that "there is exaggerated allocated for the implementation of the development of areas of heritage, including the development of Al-Rashid Street occasion as Baghdad, the capital of Arab culture in 2013," asserting that "there are French companies have experience in development and the preservation of those places and the need for their participation in submitting bids and compete with the rest of the global companies. "

For his part, French Ambassador in Iraq, "Baghdad is currently witnessing a stable security encourages companies to work in the," noting that "there are French companies currently operating in Baghdad, including the company Dkrmont implemented water project Rusafa giant, which reached the proportion of completion of an advanced" .

The secretariat of Baghdad, has selected last February, seven international companies from different countries to make presentations and designs for Baghdad Metro Project, at a cost of up to three billion U.S. dollars, which is hoped to solve this project problem of traffic congestion experienced by the city's streets.

It will be Metro Baghdad from two tracks, I will be a length of 18 km with 20 stations, and starts from the end of Sadr City, where the main center of the locomotives passing through the Khilani then Street caliphs Fshara the Great Imam and the end of the courtyard Antar in the city of Adhamiya, while the second track of the Metro and will be a length of 21 km and consists of 21 stations, and starts its route from the yard open area of ​​the pool through the street-Sadoun and heading to the Mansour district by Damascus Street and up to the intersection of the Baghdad International Fair, and is divided into two branches, one towards the Mansour and up to Washash and the other towards the Bayaa across the street from the south and ends at the intersection of Sharjah.

And see the Iraqi capital, a large traffic jams in the streets because of the increasing enumerate cars and roads and bridges remain intact, as well as the closure of some roads for security reasons.

^^ Maybe this is better off in "Iraq Railway Network"

^^ We have a thread for it :)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1089053

interesting, so the metro proj is still alive !

baghdad needs good public transport asap!

^^ We have a thread for it :)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1089053

Oh, Ok :)

So are there two Rapid transit systems that they're planning to build in Baghdad?....one underground and one on elevated rails?

how about no rapid transit lines :D

yes, they actually spoke of three separate lines! One elevated train. one underground (the old 1980s project) and one tram.

None of them are real as of now.

^^ Yeah I just read through the metro thread

By QuickneutronU235

http://www.alkafeel.net/alkafeelnews/view.php?id=405

Broadway Malyan masterplan for $10bn Iraq project
August 2 2011

Broadway Malyan has delivered the concept masterplan for the '10x10' project in Iraq, involving a 17km2 extension of Sadr City in Baghdad. The project has been named ‘10x10’ due to its $10bn value and ten-year delivery timeframe.

“The completion of the concept masterplan is a major milestone in the creation of a sustainable community, with a strong identity for over 500,000 inhabitants, and which will ease overcrowding in Sadr City,” said director John Turner.

The practice's team has worked closely with the client, the Mayoralty of Baghdad, to deliver a concept masterplan, together with implementation tender documentation and detailed sector masterplans, as well as training in the UK for members of the client's team.

The practice secured the appointment through an open competition which began in 2009 and, following the submission of a proposal in association with DATA Consultants, the practices were confirmed the preferred bidders in late 2009, with design work starting in April 2010.

The client has invited design-and-build tenders, and is currently assessing submissions, with the practice looking to secure further appointments to support the realisation of the project.

Deputy governor of Baghdad: the direct construction and renovation of 90 schools
August 2 2011

http://khabaar.net/thumbnail.php?file=77_954627839.jpg&size=article_medium

MP Technical governor of Baghdad, Al-Saadi full for the direct construction of 40 schools and repair 50 schools in the province of Baghdad.

Al-Sa'di said in a statement to agency news news ((et)): "The 40 schools each referred in part to the companies and some are in the process of assignment is in the light of the preparation of studies and designs. Indicating that it was the distribution of these school districts equally according to need and according to support those sectoral relevant.Saadi said that the province has restored approximately 50 schools and districts, which included the province.

He explained that "the cost of the forty schools schools ranging from 50-55 billion Iraqi dinars have been referred to Iraqi firms."

He pointed out that the reason for schools to refer to the fact that Iraqi companies that foreign companies do not come to simple projects Vamkanadtha large and its mechanisms and its staff do not come for the implementation of simple projects such as building schools and the like, or low-value projects. "

The province of Baghdad, is implementing a four strategic projects and private sewage treatment plants, which included the elimination of Mahmudiyah and the bridge on the cities and spend and spend and Tarmiyah These projects are part of a plan for regional development.

Housing Projects Continue to Roll
August 2 2011


Iraqi firm al-Faw this week started to build a US$50m housing complex in Iraq’s third largest city, Mosul, according to Aknews, at the same time that two more complexes are announced.

The Mosul project will create another 100,000 housing units, three schools, a shopping complex and four health centres. It is due to be completed in just one year’s time.

The next projects are also being lined up. Housing minister Mohammed Sahib al-Darraji told Aswat al-Iraq that two more sites had been confirmed, both of them in the Thi Qar province. The towns Souk al-Shiyokh and Shatra are the beneficiaries. Work will begin in 2012.

Iraq is short two million homes, according to the housing minister.

Agreement to create an e-university $ 23 million
August 5 2011


The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research on the writer, investment contracts with the Iraqi Korean LS 23 million electronic Dolarlanchae University in Iraqi universities and institutes.

The writer said on the sidelines of the signing of this Agreement is the first step in the field of higher education to move to a new state based on the introduction of e-learning and e-governance to higher education in Iraq.

The Minister of Education that this experience will be based in the first stage in the University of Technology, and then circulated to all universities and colleges in Iraq.

Broadway Malyan reveals plan for $10bn project in Iraq
2 August 2011


Architect Broadway Malyan has delivered the concept masterplan for the ‘10x10’ project in Iraq.

Valued at $10bn (£6.12bn), the scheme involves a 17km2 extension of Sadr City in Baghdad to create a new district known as New Sadr City.

The project’s masterplan is a milestone in the realisation of the project which, as one of the largest in Iraq, is seen as central to reconstruction in the country.

Director at Broadway Malyan John Turner said: “The completion of the concept masterplan is a major milestone in the creation of a sustainable community with a strong identity for over 500,000 inhabitants and which will ease overcrowding in Sadr City, with successful delivery having depended on long-term and close partnering with the client, and the world-class skills, expertise and experience of our diverse team of international masterplanning experts.”
Broadway Malyan secured the contract through an open competition that began in 2009 following the submission of a proposal in association with DATA Consultants.

The client is currently assessing submissions for the design and build phase of the project.

7 Intl. Investors Eyeing Iran-Iraq-Syria-Europe Pipeline
August 6 2011

Seven international investors have announced they are ready to participate in the Islamic pipeline project, which would transit Iranian natural gas to Iraq, Syria, and Europe, the Iranian deputy oil minister said here on Thursday.

“Seven international investors have announced their readiness to finance, design, and construct the pipeline that will transport 110 million cubic meters of Iranian natural gas to Iraq, Syria, and European countries per day,” the IRNA news agency quoted Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Javad Owji as saying.

Owji added that talks are underway to prepare the ground to launch the construction of the multi-billion-dollar project by the beginning of the next Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2012).

Last month, Iran, Iraq, and Syria signed a 10-billion-dollar deal for the transit of Iranian gas from Iran’s South Pars gas field to Europe.

According to the deal, Iranian gas will be pumped to European countries, including Greece, via a 5,000-kilometer pipeline crossing Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea.

In July, Owji had said that Iran has the capability to produce 600 million cubic meters of gas per day and noted that the output will double when new phases of the South Pars gas field come on stream over the next few years.

The gas pipeline project will take three to five years to complete, he stated.

Algerian company proposes building power stations

THI QAR / Aswat al-Iraq: Thi Qar's Investment Commission announced today that an Algerian company proposed an investment project to build five electrical stations, each with a capacity of 30 megawatts, as well as a generator factory.

Head of the Commission Lu'ai al-Khairala told Aswat al-Iraq that M'aimer Energy proposed different investment proposals to build three power generation stations and should be responsible for contracts and collection of fees, as well as other stations for the private sector generation units with the capacity of 20 megawatts.

He added that there is a plan to build a generator factory in the province.

An investment delegation from Thi Qar visited Algeria in July 2011 to attract companies there to the opportunities in Iraq.

Nassiriya, the center of Thi Qar, lies 380 km south of the capital, Baghdad.

RM (TI)/SR

Source : en.aswataliraq.info (http://en.aswataliraq.info/Default.aspx?page=article_page&c=slideshow&id=144170)

Turkish Company Proposes High-Rise Apartments in Karbala
August 11 2011


The Chairman of Karbala’s Provincial Council has announced that a Turkish company proposed building high-rise housing blocks to help tackle the housing crisis in the province.

Mohammed al-Mussawi told Aswat al-Iraq that the company specialises in the construction of hotels and housing units.

He said the Investment Commission held talks with a Turkish company to implement the project as an apartment tower system, because it is the only way to resolve the housing crisis in the province, adding that “the local government will extend all possible assistance to solve the housing crisis”.

Ministries of Education - Science and Education, strategic plans for three years
August 11 2011


Includes admission to the expansion of graduate studies and construction of 2682 new schools and activate voltage-mail

BAGHDAD - Abbahaadt ministries of education and higher education and science plans strategy for its work during the next phase, which included among other trends. According to copies of the plans of the ministries obtained by «morning», these plans are supposed to be finalized by year-end 2014. The following is the text of the plan each ministry and its achievements during the period of 100 days in conjunction with a host of Ministers of these bags:

Plan of the Ministry of Higher Education

1.Development of education:
-Development of higher education using the laws and amending previous laws.
-Preparation of the structure of higher education in Iraq.
-Development of foreign universities and specialized in Iraq.
2.Building and Construction and Infrastructure:
-Continue the process of building and development of educational institutions.
-Development of management supplies the material and sustained.
3.Development and acceptance in the initial studies:
-Develop a mechanism to accept the central depend on the needs of the country and the development of universities and colleges and new sections.
-The introduction of new standards to compete with the development of efficient performance of employees.
4.Development and acceptance in graduate studies within and outside of Iraq.
5.Development and rehabilitation of teaching staffs and encourage the return of qualified Iraqi.
6.Dormitories and an interest in and expansion.

Achievements during the period of 100 days
-Inventory of laws and regulations pertaining to higher education.
-A geographical survey of the whole of Iraq to study the needs of the provinces according to need and population growth and acceptance of a plan to establish a central colleges and institutes developed
-Locate colleges and institutes with competence for the purpose of asymptotic integration with the development of functional requirements and the preparation of studies for colleges and institutes developed.
-The survey's geographical distribution of universities, the current Iraqi provinces and to study the proportionality of output and the Ministry of Education with the capacity of those universities and compare them with the needs of the local market.
-A study made ​​in the past year and continue to create new buildings and facilities in accordance with specifications and international standards.
-Service a reality through a field survey of the work of maintenance teams and the extent of their ability to find immediate solutions to problems.
-Draws its members from universities, research master's degrees to complete a PhD.
-Examine the causes of the failure of the Department of Missions and Cultural Relations in the send 1,200 mission and challenges facing the department.
-Give priority in the study of missions, fellowships and scholarships for vacations disciplines needed by the country effectively.

Plan of the Ministry of Education
-School buildings, college is the need to build a 5801 building, the capacity of the ministry within the means available on the 2682 building for four years, the remaining need of a government effort needs to be done.
-The most important challenges of lack of financial allocations and the difficulty of obtaining spare land.
-Will be working on the rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure, and is installed with the low efficiency of the ministry of health facilities by 30 percent, and safe drinking water by 28 percent and sewer system by 41 percent, and the process of being addressed in conjunction with the construction process.
-As regards to the school curriculum, has been re-written by 85 percent until the year 2010 and is now subject to scrutiny and the experience and feedback and the remaining (15 percent) will be completed during the remaining four years.
-The plan to train 24,747 teachers and a teacher and supervisor.
-Will be the construction of 400 kindergarten and the opening of 7 thousand a literacy center.
-Expansion of the opening evening schools, opening private schools down to 20 percent of public schools.

Achievements during the period of 100 days
-Develop a new mechanism for appointments.
-Preparing a central plan for training for the involvement of all members of the training bodies.
-Preparation of a plan to build 200 schools and the introduction of computers to start a project within the curriculum.
-Form a higher committee to review the curriculum and the preparation of the television programs systematically.
-Provision of school furniture.
-Complete the construction of institutions of the ministry.
-To increase school attendance and seek to reduce the number of dropouts.
-Establishment of industrial workshops in the industrial schools.
-Formation of room to speed up the implementation of the investment budget for the current year.
-Stand on the most important problems facing the ministry and seek to resolve them.
-Meetings on oversight and scrutiny on the side of the current budget.
-The announcement of 12 tender for project management by the World Bank.
-The establishment of many of the developmental courses in the ministry and the establishment of 132 conferences and 186 exhibitions and participate in the festivals of childhood.
-Make some field visits to determine the most important problems and constraints and resolution.

Plan of the Ministry of Science and Technology
-Development of rules of procedure of the Ministry through the development of human resources and electronic activation of the ministry and the training plan and completion of assignments and activating the role of indicators and statistical information in decision support.
-Completion of the departments of the Ministry through the construction of private laboratories in the ministry.
-Coordinate the efforts of the State in the fields of science and technology all

TwYhzmxfKeY

$14 m luxury hotel project underway in Basra

14 Aug 2011.

Basra - Construction of a $14 million luxury hotel in central Basra began yesterday with the laying of its foundation stone.

The seven storey hotel - part of the city's preparations for the 2013 Gulf Cup to be held in the southern Iraqi city - is being built by the Turkish Sadiqoglu Group.

Built on a 3,000 m2 plot of land, the 120-room hotel will boast two restaurants and other entertainment and service facilities.

"The hotel s one of the objectives of the investment board," said Basra investment board head, Haidar Fadhil, "we are trying to prepare a suitable environment for hosting the Gulf Championship".

Fadhil did not say when completion of the project was scheduled, but the 2013 Gulf Cup kicks off towards the end of next year.

French Firm Begins Work on $15m Hotel in Nineveh

18 August 2011.

A French company began construction work on Tuesday on a $15 million luxury hotel in Nineveh’s Shallalat area, 10 km north of Mosul, according to AKnews.

The Investment Commission’s media spokesman told the agency that the 200-room hotel will be the first of its kind in the region.

“The implementation of the project comes after the contract was signed between the French firm and Nineveh province more than five months ago,” he said.

Set in 10,000 square meters of grounds, the luxury hotel will boast four restaurants, a permanent exhibition of French heritage, a large swimming pool and outdoor recreation areas.

The French company is to complete the project within 10 months.

ZuSELckGc4s&feature

Korean Firm to Build 100,000 Homes in Baghdad

Posted on 20 August 2011

A South Korean firm said on Saturday that it will build a 100,000-unit housing development south of Baghdad, according to a report from AKnews.

At the end of a visit to South Korea in April, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed a number of contracts in the areas of economy, construction and energy.

A group of Korean firms proposed a large-scale investment project to address Iraq’s shortage of housing by building a total of a million homes, made available on a credit payment system.

Commission member Salman al-Moussawi told AKnews that the 100,000 homes the Hanoua Company [Hanwha?] from South Korea are building in the capital’s Bismaya district will be sold for $50,000each.

After making a 25% down payment to secure the transaction, “the balance can be paid off in stages,” Moussawi explained.

The South Korean contracts will effectively halve Iraq’s housing crisis, which requires the building of two million new homes, a target originally projected to take around 20 years to meet.

Moussawi said that further contracts with South Korea in other sectors are currently being drafted.

“An agreement will be signed soon between South Korean companies and the Iraqi side with regard to energy, and the development of Iraqi ports,” he said.

IMF to finance 508 k.m. highway in Iraq
8/21/2011


The Ministry of Construction and Housing is to build a highway linking Baghdad with Turkey, the ministry said in a statement.

It said the 508 k.m.-long highway will be financed by the International Monetary Fund.

The statement gave no details on the type and size of the loan the bank is to extend to Iraq.

But it said a bank’s delegation visited the country recently to oversee Iraq’s preparation to start the project.

“This project is a challenge to the ministry since it assumes great economic significance for the country,” the statement said, quoting minister Mohammed Saheb as saying.

Iraq built in the 1980s a nearly 1,000 k.m.-long highway linking its southern port of Basra with both Jordan and Syria.

The highway to Turkey was planned but it was shelved due to the ruinous 1980-1988 war with Iran.

Once completed, Iraq will have one of the most extensive and modern highways in the Middle East, linking its southern ports and major cities with neighboring states.

excellent news

here's an updated picture of the new flyover at allawi in Baghdad.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OJoXHtc2cFo/TlnCVK2g8pI/AAAAAAAAAuY/IPyFvkdbQQg/s640/2011-08-26%2B06.26.11.jpg

How are iraqi contruction firms ?are they rising?Cause i see a huge demand 4 contruction firms.are there traditional strong iraqi firms?remaining from the past?

Construction begins on 500km Jordan-Iraq railway
August 27 2011


The Jordanian government has formally approved a 500km railway line from the port of Aqaba to the Iraqi border near Traibil, the Iraqi Transport Ministry has reported.

A spokesman for the Public Railway Company (PRC), Jawad al-Kharasan, told AKnews that Iraq has begun construction of the railway line from Ramadi to the border in order to meet up with the Jordanian side of the line.

The railway will improve the direct connection between Iraq and Jordan in order to support commercial and industrial cooperation between the two countries. Trade between Iraq and Jordan is worth $1bn a year.

The PRC enlisted the German Deutsche group at a cost of $33m to develop the railway line within Iraq. The Iraqi government expects the transport capacity of the railway line with Jordan to reach six-million tons a year. The top speed of the trains will be 180km/h.

Construction begins on 500km Jordan-Iraq railway

Great news!

here's an updated picture of the new flyover at allawi in Baghdad.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OJoXHtc2cFo/TlnCVK2g8pI/AAAAAAAAAuY/IPyFvkdbQQg/s640/2011-08-26%2B06.26.11.jpg

some pics
http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/610x-1.jpg

http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i474/makaay31/610xx.jpg

How are iraqi contruction firms ?are they rising?Cause i see a huge demand 4 contruction firms.are there traditional strong iraqi firms?remaining from the past?

well, state owned and operated companies are not up to date with latest technologies. I think we have a couple of good companies in Iraq when it comes to construction and Iraqi. One of them is ALJUBRI construction working on the Basra Sports City but I haven't seen any other company with good potential.

Before, they used to say IBN-MAJID construction was one of the greatest... but today they couldn't even construct a bridge on Shatt-Al-Arab!!! It was given to a Turkish company afterwords.

German Firm Builds $200m Hospital near Mosul

28 / August/ 2011

AKnews reports that a German company has started work on a $200 million hospital in the al-Qayara district of Nineveh, 30 km south of the provincial capital Mosul.

A Nineveh health official told the agency that the 600-bed hospital will serve the surrounding area which is in “desparate need” of medical facilities.

Currently, people in the area must go to Mosul for treatment.

The hospital is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

“The German firm will equip the hospital with the latest and most advanced medical equipment to diagnose and cure cancer and kidney illnesses … the hospital will also offer ophthalmic treatments”.

i hope u will be able to build it own ur own in the future

International companies are competing to carry out (basis design) of Baghdad
September 7 2011



In order to design the foundation of the city of Baghdad, Baghdad Secretariat has selected small list of (6) international companies to prepare technical and contractual requirements for the modernization project and the completion of the basic map of the capital.

The authoritative source that was selected six international companies of the total (15) companies submitted their offers technical and business modernization project to complete the key map to the city of Baghdad with the preparation of the database attached to the use of modern technologies for investment from a distance, after the formation of a committee to study and analysis and choose the best companies to contract with them.

He explained that the list of selected companies included company (Stnker) French, Inc. (the Langen) of America, Inc. (Almzawrh) engineering, and the Office (Khatib and Alami, or Shor), the Lebanese and the Office (reconstruction), engineering, and the Office of (scientific consulting and engineering) at the University of Technology.

The source pointed out that the Secretariat considers the implementation of the project map core of the city of Baghdad due to a long period of more than (20) years on the preparation of these maps, and the expansion of the geographic population of the city of Baghdad at the present time, in addition to the implementation of projects, buildings and services infrastructure as well as the extinction of most of the points of networks implementing, and the emergence of the urgent need for such maps.

The source indicated that he had previously been done (map of Baghdad core) by the Polish Company (Paul Service) aerial surveys in the eighties of the last century, has been divided the project in a timely manner to (3) phases, the completion of phase I and II, which percentage (45%) from the center of Baghdad, while the cancellation of the third stage due to political and economic conditions of the country at the time. The maps revealed that the symptoms include executing above the ground, and infrastructure services underground, where it was supplying services of the Secretariat and institutions. These maps benefit the purpose of the implementation of various projects, as they are the basis in most of the designs that have been prepared.

Diyala recognizes the construction of the largest forest in the Middle East
September 21 2011



Approved the management of Diyala province, on Wednesday, the construction of the largest forest in the Middle East, north of the province at a cost of more than 30 billion dinars, and as stated that the project aims to plant a million trees, confirmed that the early stages will be direct by early next year.

The official spokesman for the governor of Diyala heritage Azzawi in an interview for "Alsumaria News" that "the Committee Agricultural High chaired by the Governor of Diyala Nasser James Baldwin approved the implementation of the project to establish the largest forest in the Middle East in the hills Hamrin (45 km north east of Baquba)," noting that "The project aims to plant a million trees."

Azzawi said that "the total cost of the project exceeded the 30 billion dinars, of the annual budget for the administration of the province," noting that "direct the project will be early next year."

The Azzawi that "has been developing a plan an organization to implement the project according to the mechanism of time achieve the overall objectives," noting that "the project will gain the importance of a large environment, as, a green belt facing the phenomenon of desertification, drought and contribute to the low temperatures in addition to the possibility of exploitation of the project in the tourism aspect and honey."

It is noteworthy that most of Diyala province, suffered a big increase in temperature due to desertification and drought as a result of worn out most of the green belts surrounding the centers of cities within the province, prompting government agencies to find solutions in order to preserve the environment and face the consequences of desertification.

"construct a forest" :lol:

hehe...google translate is the guilty one

news that I saw on TV a day or so ago (on al-Iraqia, and al-furat TV for reference):

- foundation stone is put for the new parliament building in muthana airport ! (which makes me wonder what happened to the baghdad gate residential project ?!!)

- new hotel announced in Amara (i think it was something like 200 million USD), sorry forgot the details (it mentioned the number of floors as well, but cant seem to find anything online), but it's a tall one around 20 fl.

- also, they covered more info confirming the Basmaya project is legit.

news that I saw on TV a day or so ago (on al-Iraqia, and al-furat TV for reference):

- foundation stone is put for the new parliament building in muthana airport ! (which makes me wonder what happened to the baghdad gate residential project ?!!)

yup. just like i reported a year ago....

- new hotel announced in Amara (i think it was something like 200 million USD), sorry forgot the details (it mentioned the number of floors as well, but cant seem to find anything online), but it's a tall one around 20 fl.

- also, they covered more info confirming the Basmaya project is legit.
nice. lets hope it really is for real

news that I saw on TV a day or so ago (on al-Iraqia, and al-furat TV for reference):

- foundation stone is put for the new parliament building in muthana airport ! (which makes me wonder what happened to the baghdad gate residential project ?!!)

- new hotel announced in Amara (i think it was something like 200 million USD), sorry forgot the details (it mentioned the number of floors as well, but cant seem to find anything online), but it's a tall one around 20 fl.

- also, they covered more info confirming the Basmaya project is legit.

what parliament? whats happening with the secretariat building btw?