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Spotlight | France, Iraq
Kazimi's position as Iraqi PM - and French CAC 40 interests - hang in balance

French ADP Ingéniérie and Iraqi civil aviation authority sign an agreement on Mosul airport, 25 January 2021. © General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers - Republic of Iraq

Launched with much fanfare last year, French President Emmanuel Macron's Iraq initiative was supposed to pave the way for greater French investment in Iraq. But the political uncertainty in Baghdad and competition from China, Turkey and other countries have put obstacles in the way of French ambitions. [...]

Published on 01/02/2022 at 07:00 GMT Reading time 2 minutes

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France, Iraq
Franco-Iraqi torchbearer Groupe ADP left in limbo in Mosul

France's Groupe ADP, which had been due to rehabilitate Mosul International Airport, has been left at a loss following Baghdad's decision to award the contract to Turkish companies instead. With little in the way of explanation from the Iraqi authorities, it has opted to withdraw from the project and its possible follow-up phases.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 08.09.2022

France, Iraq
Paris rallies to save Iraqi contracts

Despite the many technical and political obstacles hampering French investments in Iraq, France is determined not to miss out on the potential economic opportunities and is counting on senators and industry bosses to bolster the bilateral relationship.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 30.05.2022

France, Iraq
French security firms struggle to get foot back in Iraq

The promise of contracts tied to large infrastructure projects made by Baghdad raised high hopes among French security specialists, particularly GEOS and Amarante. But these opportunities have yet to materialise.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 27.04.2022

Iraq
Talks on TotalEnergies' mega contract blocked in the final stages

The concluding details of the major deal were due to be settled at the start of the year. Instead, TotalEnergies finds itself in an impasse with the Iraqi authorities, as fresh obstacles to agreement accumulate.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 20.04.2022

Spymaster | Iraq
Caretaker PM Mustafa Al Kazemi maintains grip on Falcon Cell

Operations against the Islamic State, anti-corruption investigations and targeting Shiite militias are the types of jobs that fall to Iraq's elite Falcon intelligence cell. They are carried out under the leadership of prime minister and spymaster Mustafa Al Kazemi.

Subscribers only Operations 18.03.2022

The Iraqi Prime Minister Moustafa al-Kazimi.

France, Iraq, United States
Potential Iraqi Rafale purchase publicised by Norman Ricklefs unlikely to fly

The Australian consultant who has long made Iraq his home caused a stir in the world of French defence last week with remarks that Baghdad wants to purchase Rafale jets and drones from France. In Paris, however, the project is still very much in its infancy, even almost non-existent.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 21.02.2022

China, Iraq
Chen Xianzhong spearheads Chinese push into Baghdad

China has its eye on Iraq's energy assets but previous setbacks mean it is proceeding with caution. To make the right impression, Beijing is putting the focus on new school construction contracts that were facilitated by a Chinese businessman who has lived in Iraq for many years.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 11.01.2022

Iraq
Qassem Al Araji treads carefully with results of probe into PM Kadhimi's attempted assassination

After a drone attack on the home of the Iraqi prime minister last month, the country's national security adviser Qassem Al Araji fell short of naming potential perpetrators when unveiling his findings on 29 November to avoid stirring the Shi'ite militia hornet's nest.

Subscribers only Operations 09.12.2021

Spotlight | Iraq
Mustafa Al Kazemi's spymasters move to provide security for highly charged election

Since the summer, outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kazemi had been putting together a team to oversee the smooth running of the 10 October elections, and he can now claim that they went well.

Subscribers only Agencies 18.10.2021

Outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kazemi.

China, France, Iraq
TotalEnergies faces Chinese competition in Iraqi solar energy market

France's TotalEnergies, which is looking to strengthen its presence in Iraq as part of its drive to diversify its energy interests, is hoping to get a slice of the country's solar energy market. The market is set to develop but is also attracting other countries, including China.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 08.09.2021

Iraq
Race is on for top French diplomatic seat in Baghdad

The restricted but highly rewarding post of French ambassador to Iraq is coming up for grabs after four years, catching the attention of three candidates: Eric Chevallier, Franck Gellet and David Martinon.

Subscribers only Back-door diplomacy 18.05.2021

Three candidates are in the running for the French embassy in Iraq.

France, Iraq
ADP considers its security options in Mosul

After signing a deal to reconstruct Mosul Airport with Iraq's civil aviation authority on 25 January, France's Aéroports de Paris [...]

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 10.02.2021

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Gaby Peretz steals the limelight at Dakar air show

Israeli military equipment broker Gaby Peretz, a supplier and funder to the Senegalese army, took centre stage at the first Africa Airforce Forum, which was held in Dakar.

Subscribers only Defence Africa Intelligence 07.11.2022