Qatari firms invest $9.5bn in Iraqi projects.

Three Qatari companies and Iraq’s National Investment Commission have agreed to develop $9.5bn worth of projects in Iraq, including the construction of a pair of power plants that will generate a total of 2,400 megawatts. The projects will help reduce Iraq’s reliance on neighbouring Iran for its energy needs. The agreements were signed during a visit to Baghdad by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday, when he pledged to make a $5bn investment in Iraq.