News Briefing for June 2025

June 24       Iraq ranked 147th globally and 19th among Arab countries on the 2025 Global Peace Index, according to a new report published by the Institute for Economics and Peace. The index evaluates peace levels across 163 countries based on three key dimensions: societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarization. 


June 14      Iraq and Syria reopened the main border crossing for travellers and goods on Saturday, Iraqi authorities announced. The move is the latest sign of warming relations between Baghdad and Damascus, after months of strained ties following the ousting of the Bashar Al Assad regime from Syria.




News Briefing for May 2025

May 23        As of 2025, Baghdad has ascended to the 43rd position among the world's most populous cities, with a metro area population of approximately 8.06 million. This growth places Iraq's capital ahead of regional counterparts such as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (7.7 million), and Alexandria, Egypt (5.7 million).


May 12       Iraq is witnessing a significant upswing in business activity, with current investment spending across various sectors reaching approximately 88 trillion Iraqi dinars, a key factor in a 35% boost to the nation's annual GDP. 


May 18         The Iraqi car market experienced robust growth of 24.1% in the first quarter of 2025, continuing its impressive upward trajectory from previous years. A significant shift saw Kia emerge as the top-selling brand, overtaking Toyota.


May 12         Iraq's Ministerial Council for Economy convened to discuss key economic initiatives, including the government’s poverty reduction strategy and enhancing inter-regional cooperation. The Council reviewed a Ministry of Planning report highlighting a decrease in Iraq’s poverty rate from 20.5% in 2018 to 17.6% in 2024, and a drop in unemployment from 16.5% in 2021 to 13.4% in 2024.



News Briefing for April 2025

April 21, The GDP of five Arab countries—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, and Algeria—exceeds $3.6 trillion, accounting for 72% of the region's total GDP. 


April 21, To enhance international logistics and trade cooperation, Iraq launched the TIR global transit system starting from April 1st of this year. This move aims to establish Iraq as a trade hub in the Middle East.


April 19, In a strategic move to boost its industrial sector, Iraq's Ministry of Industry and Minerals has signed an agreement with SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation (SEPCO), a leading Chinese state-owned company. The partnership aims to develop a major industrial city in the Karbala Governorate.


April 3, The initial master plan for Al-Ward City (also referred to as Ali Al-Wardi City), envisioned as one of the world's largest new green cities, has been officially revealed. The massive project is planned for the Nahrawan area, 25 km south-east of central Baghdad.