Regional stock market indices Regional currency rates ‘New Diwaniya’, the birth of an Iraqi city Authorities in Diwaniya, located in Iraq’s Al-Qadisiyah province, announced the start of discussions with various contractors keen to be involved with designing and building a new city in Diwaniya. The new city will cost $1.5 billion and will have a total surface area of 20 square kilometers. The new site will be adjacent to the existing city of Diwaniya, which lies 155 kilometers to the south of Baghdad. The city — which will be called ‘New Diwaniya’ — will involve construction of several thousand new homes, as well as hospitals, shopping malls and sports recreation facilities. Total pursues Middle East projects amidst losses The French petrochemical company Total posted $989 million in losses during the last quarter of 2008. Nevertheless, the company stated that it would adapt its petrochemical production to new trends in product
