Mohammad Al Drraji, Iraq's minister of construction and housing makes his plea at Cityscape.  Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Mohammad Al Drraji, Iraq's minister of construction and housing makes his plea at Cityscape. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Iraq's Cityscape call for Middle East developers to build 2 million homes



Iraq is hoping that Middle Eastern developers can help the country rebuild some two million badly needed homes over the next five years.

Speaking at Cityscape today, the Iraqi Minister of Construction and Housing, H. E. Eng Mohammed Darraji, told delegates that the country needs to build 150,000 homes a year to satisfy demand from its people and currently it can only manage to develop around 60,000.

Today he announced that the Iraqi government is in the process of signing Memoranda of Understanding with seven developers including both Emaar and Damac to help build affordable and luxury homes in Iraq.

According to the Iraqi Ministry of Construction and Housing, the country's federal budget is estimated to reach US$120 billion in 2013, increasing to US$200 billion by 2015, as the country attempts to rebuild after the Iraq Wars.

Speaking at the Cityscape exhibition in Dubai today Mr Darraji said: "Due to ongoing business trends and the transition to a market economy after 2003, Iraq has seen significant changes to regulations and the governing of economic activities. The new laws to promote fresh investment and drive economic growth are currently being implemented, and this transition will promote the rapid restructuring of our economy.

He added that the price of a 200 square meter apartment in Iraq averaged between US dollar 150,000 and 240,000.

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The lowdown

Badla

Rating: 2.5/5

Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment 

Director: Sujoy Ghosh

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
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At Eternity’s Gate

Director: Julian Schnabel

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen

Three stars

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Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5