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Edition of Saturday, 31 October 2026English edition
The Geopolitician

Country risk, from the local press

Iraq · Country watch

Iraq Signs Healthcare and Internet Transit Deals

Iraq advances healthcare with Roche and plans internet transit deals in Doha, impacting technology and pharma sectors.

The picture Improving How this is judged →

Business conditions in Iraq are improving with new healthcare and internet transit agreements. These developments enhance the technology and pharma sectors, offering growth opportunities.

Flare-up watch: Calm (0.4) · How this is judged → · All Iraq briefings →

In this briefing Hani Al-Aqabi · Abdulhussein Abdulzahra · Roche · Ministry of Health (Iraq) · DNO · Kurdistan Region · Ministry of Communications (Iraq) · Doha

Companies

  • Pharma
  • Public sector

Iraq and Roche Sign Healthcare Deal

Iraq's Ministry of Health has signed a cooperation programme with Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche to enhance specialist medical care in the country, according to Iraq Business News. The agreement was signed by Dr. Hani Al-Aqabi, Technical Deputy of the Ministry, on behalf of Minister of Health Abdulhussein Abdulzahra. This collaboration aims to develop healthcare services by integrating Roche's expertise and resources into Iraq's medical infrastructure.

Impact Healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies in Iraq will benefit from enhanced medical care capabilities through this partnership.

Sources: Iraq Business News ↗

  • Energy

DNO to Increase Drilling in Kurdistan

Norwegian oil and gas operator DNO plans to increase drilling activities in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, driven by strong financial and operational results in the third quarter of 2026, Iraq Business News reports. The company has deployed a second third-party rig to boost production in the region, capitalizing on higher oil prices and resumed production.

Impact Energy companies operating in Kurdistan may experience increased competition and opportunities due to DNO's expanded drilling activities.

Sources: Iraq Business News ↗

Trade

  • Technology
  • Telecom

Iraq to Sign Internet Transit Deals in Doha

Boats docked at The Pearl Marina in November 2013.
Boats docked at The Pearl Marina in November 2013. — Alex Sergeev, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Iraqi Ministry of Communications announced plans to sign agreements in Doha, Qatar, with three major nations to route European internet traffic through Iraq, according to Iraqi News. These deals aim to position Iraq as a key transit hub for internet capacities, enhancing the country's digital infrastructure and connectivity.

Impact Telecom companies and internet service providers in Iraq will gain from improved infrastructure and international connectivity.

Sources: Iraqi News ↗

Nothing significant reported today in Regulation · Disruption · Internal tension · Safety & health · Markets · Politics.

Also today in the local press

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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The same day elsewhere