Iraq Reconstruction News 3 April 2007

Iraq Reconstruction News
3 April 2007


1. GRD Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update 03/30/07 https://www.rebuilding-iraq.net/pls/portal/url/ITEM/07251F2EFBCA801DE040A8C00B0741F5

2. Brookings Iraq Index 2 April 2007 http://www3.brookings.edu/fp/saban/iraq/index.pdf

3. Iraq Weekly Status Report 28 March 2007 http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/82522.pdf

4. Oil ministry invites 15 companies to drill 50 new wells - Baghdad, Apr 2, (VOI) – Iraq's oil ministry requested the country's South Oil company to invite 15 international corporations to dig 15 new wells, the ministry spokesman said. http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=40939&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

5. Russia oil producer seeks backing for Iraq oil deal -- MOSCOW: Russia’s top oil producer LUKOIL signed a partnership deal with the foreign ministry on Monday and said it counted on its support as it prepares for talks to revive a giant oil deal in Iraq. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C04%5C03%5Cstory_3-4-2007_pg5_33

6. US oil companies look to invest in riskier regions -- NEW YORK, April 2 (Reuters) - Major oil companies are looking to invest in increasingly risky corners of the world, as high oil prices and tightening access to oil reserves make these regions more attractive. As oil prices have increased, resource-rich countries such as Venezuela and Russia have tightened their grip on oil and gas assets, shrinking the pool of available reserves for companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM.N: Quote, Profile , Research), Chevron Corp. (CVX.N: Quote, Profile , Research), and ConocoPhillips (COP.N: Quote, Profile , Research). http://investing.reuters.co.uk/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=allBreakingNews&storyID=2007-04-02T184340Z_01_N02440894_RTRIDST_0_OIL-RISK.XML

7. Nation-building in Iraq: the good, the not-so-bad, and the ugly http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/weblog/2007/04/nationbuilding_in_iraq_the_goo.html

8. 4.7 million dollar sewage project in Nassiriya - Dhi Qar, March 31 (VOI) – A project to treat sewage water for some areas of Dhi Qar province was inaugurated, after experimental operation early last week, at a cost of 6 billion Iraqi dinars (roughly 4.7 million U.S. dollars), a media spokesman for the provincial council said on Saturday. http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=40833&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

9. Wassit environment warns of grave consequences of industrial waste - Kut, Apr 2, (VOI) - Director of the environment department in Wassit province, on Monday, warned of the dire consequences of getting rid of industrial waste in the streets and the Tigris river, considering it an attack on the environment. http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=40991&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

10. Kurdistan region leads the way in Iraq's aviation sector -- LONDON -- The Kurdistan Region’s new international airports were showcased as the leading examples in Iraq during an aviation and security conference held in London this week. International delegates met with Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional Government officials, airport directors and airline operators to discuss the continued development of Iraq’s airports which are critical to international support, access and investment. http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2007/3/investkurdistan233.htm

11. Basra's Khour Zubair port receives super oil tanker - Basra, March 31 (VOI) – The Khour Zubair port in Basra received for the first time a super tanker carrying Iraqi oil, the port's assistant director said. "Tanker West Star, which anchored in the port on Friday, weighs 70,000 tons and is 243 meters long and 32 meters wide," engineer Mohammed Yousuf told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=40824&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

12. 224.904 billion dinars allocated for investment in Wassit - Kut, Apr 2, (VOI) - A total of 224.904 billion dinars ($176,811 million US dollars) has been allocated to implement an investment plan in Wassit province, central Iraq, during the fiscal year 2007, the largest allocation, compared to other Iraqi provinces, after Baghdad, an official source in the province said on Monday. http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=40999&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

13. Iraq to import refining equipment from Iran -- Iraq will pay $64 million for importing equipment from Iran to upgrade one of its refineries. The equipment will be imported to upgrade Najaf Oil Refinery located in 150 km south of Iraqi capital city of Baghdad, a provincial official of Najaf has said. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=4620&sectionid=351020102

14. Generating electricity from solar energy -- Head of the Reconstruction Committee in Baghdad City Council, Ali Al-Attar, said that the Council is doing an extensive study for the endorsement of the project of generating electricity from solar energy. http://www.iraqdirectory.com/DisplayNews.aspx?id=3549

15. Iraqi cabinet endorses 50 m dinars loans for small projects - Baghdad, Apr 3, (VOI) - Iraqi cabinet on Tuesday endorsed offering loans up to 50 million dinars ($ 40,000) for small projects, the government spokesman said. "The cabinet has agreed to offers loans up to 50 million dinars for small projects through the state-owned banks," Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh told reporters after a cabinet meeting. http://www.aswataliraq.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=41076&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

16. Iraq eyes future tourism -- BAGHDAD — Thinking about Spring Break in Iraq? Odds are, probably not. But an exhibition organized this past week by Iraq's Tourism Ministry sought to lay the groundwork for one fine day in the future when intrepid tourists might just consider taking a vacation here. At the "Spring Fair," held at a hotel within the concrete blast walls of Baghdad's Green Zone, visitors were treated to displays of silk rugs, antique pistols, daggers decorated with gems, and other locally made arts and crafts. The hallways were lined with photos of Iraqi holy sites. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-03-29-spring-fair_N.htm

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