An international desire to invest in Iraq and three countries hold meetings in this regard
Thursday, Trade Minister Atheer Al-Ghurairi revealed a wide welcome and international desire to increase investments inside Iraq, while confirming the holding of meetings with 3 countries in this regard.
During his participation in the 113th session of the Economic and Social Council, which was held at the Arab League, Al-Ghurairi said in his speech that “Iraq today seeks, within the government program of Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, to improve the investment environment and seeks to receive private sector companies with the aim of improving the economic reality in Iraq and announcing the availability of investment opportunities.” big".
He added, “There are many important projects in Iraq, including the development road and the railway line between Holy Karbala and Najaf Al-Ashraf,” noting “the necessity of encouraging investments from the private sector inside Iraq.”
He added, “Iraq seeks to increase investment projects with Arab countries,” noting that “there are major initiatives by Arab countries, and there was a great welcome from them to increase investments in Iraq and implement many economic agreements and conferences, and there are many protocols implemented with countries.” The UAE, Qatar, and Egypt formed committees that included delegations from businessmen and the private sector inside Iraq, and we noticed a tangible change in the management of the economic file and the general economic policy of the Iraqi state.”
He pointed out, “The meeting came out with many decisions that were approved, including enhancing intra-trade, liberalizing trade in goods, and welcoming Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization.”
He stressed, “This is what Iraq aspires to, as its steps have begun to convey their messages to all countries, and the Iraqi economy will witness a significant recovery during the coming period in order to achieve common interests and achieve mutual benefit between Iraq and the Arab countries.”
He pointed out that “there are rapid initiatives in infrastructure investment with the Egyptian, Qatari and Emirati sides through many agreements concluded during the previous period.”
Rentier economy and market need
The rentier economy refers to a type of economy that relies on the export of natural resources such as “oil or natural gas” and reliance on the revenues generated from those resources to finance the state’s needs. However, you find that the heavy reliance on the rentier economy is not enough to meet the state’s needs.
We point out that the rentier economy is unbalanced and unsustainable, as it depends heavily on the rise and fall in the prices of natural resources, which causes great economic instability. When the prices of natural resources are high, government expenditures rise, and when prices fall, government revenues decline. This fluctuation in revenues It constitutes a major challenge to the state's financial sustainability, and urgent solutions must be developed for this economic situation.
The maintenance of the rentier character of the economy leads to enhanced dependence on imports. The vast majority of countries with a rentier economy follow an approach that relies on importing most of the basic goods and products that citizens need. This means that the state spends a large portion of its revenues on importing basic products, which reduces the available resources. To invest in other sectors such as education, infrastructure and health.
The step required to enhance the reality of the economy requires building factories and attracting investment, which are the only solution to achieve economic and social development in the country, as building factories leads to opening new doors for employment, providing job opportunities for young people, and reducing unemployment rates, as building factories also leads to increasing production and diversifying local products, which It enhances the country's ability to export goods and increase national revenues.
Attracting foreign direct investment is necessary to enhance economic growth, as attracting foreign investment results in improving infrastructure and developing public services in the country, which attracts more new investments and enhances economic stability, in addition to the fact that “foreign investment” contributes to the transfer of technology and knowledge to the host country. Which contributes to developing local capabilities and raising the level of skills among workers. In this way, building factories and attracting investment can contribute to promoting comprehensive development and achieving prosperity and economic and social stability in countries.
We know that a rentier economy leads to a lack of economic diversification. When economies rely heavily on one type of resources, they become vulnerable to economic shocks, which requires us to think clearly about the diversification of financial revenues in light of the availability of the elements of economic development.
The US Treasury imposes new sanctions on 3 individuals and 4 entities linked to Iran
The US Treasury announced today, Wednesday, the imposition of new sanctions related to Iran, including 3 individuals and 4 entities, on charges of smuggling American technology to the Central Bank of Iran.
The ministry explained in a statement: “The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has imposed sanctions on a procurement network responsible for facilitating the illicit export of goods and technology to end users in Iran, including the Central Bank of Iran, which is subject to sanctions due to its role in providing financial support to the Corps.” Al-Quds belongs to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah.”
The ministry said in the statement: “These sanctions include 3 individuals and 4 entities linked to the purchase of advanced American technology for use by the Central Bank of Iran, in violation of US export restrictions and sanctions.”
The United States and several Western countries impose strict sanctions against Iran, related to its nuclear and missile program, human rights violations, as well as Tehran’s cooperation with Moscow.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury decided earlier to issue sanctions against three entities, claiming that they have a role in undermining peace, security and stability in Sudan.
Al-Sudani leaves Baghdad for the Netherlands on an official visit
Today, Thursday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani left the capital, Baghdad, heading to the Netherlands on an official visit.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office, received by Mawazine News, stated that “Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani left the capital, Baghdad, heading to the Netherlands.”
He pointed out that "the visit came after an official invitation from the Dutch side."
A parliamentarian stresses the necessity of diversifying sources of income and not having the dollar dominate the Iraqi economy
Member of Parliament Ahmed Al-Fawaz stressed today, Wednesday, the need to diversify sources of income so that the dollar does not dominate the Iraqi economy.
Al-Fawaz said in a press statement received by Earth News, “We count and trust the serious steps to reform the economic system in the government of the current Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, through his pledge and implementation of the government program, which the House of Representatives voted on.”
He added, “Among these challenges is addressing the economic file, and this falls on the responsibility of the government’s monetary policy. We firmly believe that the government is up to the responsibility for reviving the Iraqi economic level through diversifying Iraqi sources of income.”
The Prime Minister stresses the importance of strengthening judicial cooperation between Iraq and Iran
Today, Wednesday (February 14, 2024), Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani stressed the importance of strengthening judicial cooperation between Iraq and Iran in the field of confronting terrorism and combating drug trafficking.
Al-Sudani’s media office stated in a statement received by “Baghdad Today” that “Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani received, this Wednesday morning, the head of the judiciary in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, and his accompanying delegation,” noting that “during the meeting, Discussing bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries, joint coordination in various files and issues of common interest, and emphasizing Iraq’s pivotal role in promoting dialogue in the region, which reflects positively on the interests of Iraq and neighboring countries and regional stability.
According to the statement, the Prime Minister stressed “the importance of strengthening judicial cooperation between Iraq and Iran in the field of confronting terrorism and combating drug trafficking. His Excellency also touched on the current situation in Gaza, the occupation authorities’ continued commitment of brutal crimes against civilians, and the necessity of coordination between countries of the Islamic world and the region.” In order to put pressure on stopping the war, saving our Palestinian people from the genocide they are being subjected to, and helping them determine their fate.”
For his part, Mohseni Ejei conveyed the greetings of the Iranian leadership to Al-Sudani, stressing “the aspiration to strengthen the foundations of cooperation between the two countries in several fields,” praising “the Iraqi government’s policies toward the various challenges facing Iraq and the region, and its responsible positions regarding the events in Gaza.”
This morning, the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan, discussed with the head of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, the strengthening of judicial and legal cooperation.
The judiciary media stated in a statement received by “Baghdad Today” that “the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan, received today, Wednesday, 2/14/2023, the head of the judiciary in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, and his accompanying delegation.”
He explained, "The visit of the head of the Iranian judiciary and his accompanying delegation comes in response to the invitation of the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge R. Faiq Zaidan."
He stated, "The two sides discussed enhancing judicial and legal cooperation between the two countries in common issues."
Al-Mandalawi: The coming weeks will witness the legislation of the law ending the American presence in Iraq
A statement from the office of the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, a copy of which {Al-Furat News} received, stated that Al-Mandalawi “received, today, Wednesday, the head of the Iranian judiciary, Gholam Hossein Ejei, and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of a number of representatives and the Iranian ambassador to Iraq, Muhammad Al-Sadiq.”
Al-Mandalawi stressed that “the repeated American attacks on Iraqi sites and figures are in violation of international law and would disturb relations between the two countries,” expressing the House of Representatives’ keenness to implement its previous decision to remove foreign forces from the country, while stating that the coming period will witness the enactment of a law to completely end their presence, and that Iraq is a country A strong person who does not need foreign forces to protect him, calling at the same time on Arab and Islamic parliaments to enact laws to hold the Zionist entity and the countries that support it accountable and to criminalize relations with them.”
Al-Mandalawi said, “The legislative authority is keen to strengthen relations with all countries of the region and neighborhood, and it believes in cooperation and integration with the Iraqi executive and judicial authorities, and supports bilateral agreements and treaties in the field of judicial and legal cooperation between the judicial authorities of the two countries, stressing that Iraq’s role is consistent with Palestine’s, The international system and the countries of the region in particular are responsible for stopping the brutal Zionist aggression in Gaza.”
For his part, the Iranian judiciary chief praised the role of the Iraqi Parliament, describing it as exceptional, as it was the first parliament to enact a law criminalizing normalization with the Zionist entity. This is an honorable position and one to be credited with, stressing that the Iraqi people can manage their country in the way they see fit, while calling for "More cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries on regional issues, especially since Iraq's position is influential and effective."
Al-Sudani to the Saudi Minister of Energy: We welcome the entry of your companies into the Iraqi market
Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani said on Wednesday that Iraq welcomes the entry of Saudi companies into the Iraqi market, during a meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud
Al-Sudani’s office stated in a statement:
Today, Wednesday, the Prime Minister, Mr. Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, received the Saudi Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, and his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, the prospects for cooperation between Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in various fields were discussed, and the expansion of economic partnerships between the two countries was emphasized.
The Prime Minister expressed Iraq's welcome to the entry of Saudi companies into the Iraqi market, which today has many great investment opportunities, pointing to the advanced level of relations between the two brotherly countries, especially in the areas of investment, development and infrastructure reconstruction in the energy sector.
His Excellency pointed out the importance of coordination in positions and congruence of visions regarding regulating the energy market and oil prices under the umbrella of OPEC, in a way that ensures the preservation of the stability of energy markets in the region and the world, and the interests of producing and consuming countries.
For his part, the Saudi minister conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to his sovereignty, stressing his country’s desire to continue strengthening bilateral partnership and cooperation relations in various fields.
Barzani to the American ambassador: Ending your presence is not one of Parliament’s tasks... and had it not been for you, they would not have been in power
The head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani, said during his meeting with the acting US ambassador to Iraq, David Berger, in Erbil today, Wednesday (February 14, 2024), that “had it not been for America’s overthrow of the previous regime, those currently in power would not have been able to rule Iraq.”
A statement from his office received by “Baghdad Today” stated that Barzani received, in the Salah al-Din resort near Erbil, the acting US ambassador to Iraq, David Berger, and his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, views were exchanged on the latest developments in the situation in Iraq and the region, the threats of terrorism, and relations between the region. Kurdistan and federal Iraq, and the obstacles to these relations.”
Regarding the general situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan region, Barzani stressed “the need for all parties to adhere to the constitution for which the Iraqi peoples voted, and for the entity of the Kurdistan region and its institutions to be protected and not to interfere in the process of legislating laws in the region in an unconstitutional manner, as clearly stated in the constitution that in the event There is a difference between the laws of the region and the laws of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, so the laws of the region will take precedence.”
Barzani pointed out "the necessity of holding Kurdistan Parliament elections, and not interfering unconstitutionally in the election process and its procedures, creating obstacles to it, and trying to postpone it under the pretext of legal challenges."
Regarding the election of a Speaker of the House of Representatives, Barzani pointed out, “They want the Sunni component to reach an agreement among themselves on a candidate, and for all parties to cooperate to make his election a success.”
Regarding the issue of the international coalition forces remaining in Iraq, Barzani pointed out, “This issue is a national issue, not related to a specific component, and it must be agreed upon between the Iraqi government and the coalition through discussions and through ministries and official institutions, and all Iraqi components must know the truth that the threats Terrorism and the risks of its re-emergence still exist.”
Barzani explained to the American delegation, “All parties must support the process of dialogue and agreement between the Iraqi government and the coalition, and that this issue is not among the tasks of Parliament, and for the sake of Iraq’s interests, this issue must remain far from political bidding and regional repercussions and equations, and take into account the interests, security and stability of all regions.” And the Iraqi components.
Barzani added, "All parties learn new that if America had not overthrown the previous regime and helped the Iraqis in the process of liberating Iraq, those currently in power in Iraq would not have been able to rule Iraq."
UNAMI: Plasschaert's departure from Iraq has nothing to do with allegations of corruption in the United Nations mission
On Wednesday, the United Nations Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) issued a clarification regarding what it called “misleading information” regarding the departure of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, indicating that the departure is a practice followed by the usual rotation of senior officials and has nothing to do with reports about... Corruption in the mission.
The mission said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “UNAMI would like to set the record straight regarding the misleading reports that were recently circulated in a number of traditional Iraqi media and social media regarding the departure of Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.” United Nations and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in May.
UNAMI stressed that “the departure of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in May is consistent with established practices within the United Nations, including the usual rotation of senior United Nations officials.”
Regarding The Guardian’s report on corruption allegations, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) issued a statement on 23 January 2024. “Furthermore, we would like to emphasize that UNAMI and UNDP have different administrative and financial structures.”
UNAMI called on the media to “prioritize accuracy and refrain from circulating misleading information. More broadly, the impact of false and misleading information cannot be overestimated.”
On Tuesday, January 23, in a shocking report, the British newspaper "The Guardian" revealed the truth about major suspicions of corruption by the United Nations in its development program in Iraq, stressing that the United Nations has fueled the culture of bribery that has permeated Iraqi society since the overthrow. With Saddam Hussein in 2003.
The British newspaper "The Guardian" said, "United Nations employees in Iraq are demanding bribes in exchange for helping businessmen win contracts for reconstruction projects in the country."
The Guardian newspaper found that UNDP employees “demanded bribes of up to 15 percent of the contract value,” according to three employees and four contractors.
In return, the employee helps the contractor navigate the complex UNDP bidding system to ensure it passes the audit process.
One of the contractors, without The Guardian revealing his identity, said that UNDP employees “contacted them demanding bribes.”
Al-Sudani: The opening of the book fair is a message that Iraq is in a state of recovery
Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani during the opening of the Iraq International Book Fair:
The opening of the exhibition is a message that Iraq is in a state of recovery
Supportive of these activities
The opening of the exhibition under the slogan “It has become called Palestine” is a sign of solidarity with the Palestinian people
We contributed to supporting many different cultural events
Don’t leave money on the table. ($75, to be exact.)
A 5 Star bank is offering a free online bank account with a debit card that pays $25 to the enrollee and $75 "commission" to everyone that refers someone to the account.
So YOU set up your account and receive your OWN $25 and then you will set up your family and friends and THEY will all get the same $25 and YOU get $75 for everyone that gets the $25.
It does take $10 to sign up for the account, and it has to come from a debit card (checking account) connected to you, but the $10 is available immediately in your account to use. So it's actually free to get your $25 but you need to have $10 available to set it up.
Yes it's true and it works and I have done it MYSELF!
Barzani discusses with the US Senate delegation the repercussions of the recent attacks and operations targeting the international coalition
President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, today, Friday, discussed with the US Senate delegation headed by Senator Don Saul at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, US relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and the latest security developments in Iraq.
A statement by the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region stated: The two sides renewed their support for developing US-Iraqi relations within the framework of their strategic agreement, and discussed the targeting of coalition forces in Iraq and its security and military responses.
President Barzani and the US Senate delegation agreed on the necessity of protecting the security of the coalition forces and diplomatic envoys in Iraq and not allowing armed groups to destabilize peace and stability in Iraq and endanger the country’s sovereignty.
The delegation renewed the United States’ continued support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the war against terrorism, the threat of ISIS, and security threats, and stressed the importance of their country’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the pen. For his part, President Barzani thanked the US Congress and the Senate for their support in Iraq and the Kurdistan region.
The statement indicated that the latest developments in the region in general were another topic of the meeting.
Traffic: It was decided to transfer all financial transactions electronically in Baghdad and the governorates
Today, Thursday (February 15, 2024), the General Traffic Directorate decided to transfer all financial transactions electronically in Baghdad and the governorates.
The directorate said in a statement received by “Baghdad Today” that, “For the purpose of simplifying procedures and working on real steps related to automation, it was decided to transfer all financial transactions electronically through the ( POS ) system in traffic departments in Baghdad and all governorates instead of cash dealing.”
The statement added, "This step will contribute to supporting the work of the government and the Iraqi banking system," calling on citizens to "issue a MasterCard that contains a financial balance for the purpose of deducting the fees required for any transaction and without any commission."
Advisor to the Association of Banks: Government support for the private sector is the main pillar for achieving economic reform
The economic and banking advisor to the Iraqi Private Banks Association, Samir Al-Nusairi, confirmed today, Thursday, that government support and special care for the national private sector is the main pillar for achieving economic reform and is the solution to all the economy’s problems.
Al-Nusairi said, in an interview with Al-Iqtisad News, that “through discussion, analysis and study of the economic reality that Iraq is going through, it is necessary to determine, with logical, scientific and economic analysis, the most prominent axes that require finding solutions in the next stage with the aim of building sound premises for the transition to... Proper construction of the economy and giving a role to the private sector in making economic decisions. This will be supported by the Prime Minister’s presidency of the Private Sector Development Council, the general assembly of which was held last month in the Ministry of Planning, which is currently responsible, in conjunction with representatives of the private sector, for preparing the internal regulations of the Council in order to initiate actual work to achieve its goals. Private sector development strategy for the years 2014-2030.
Al-Nusairi added: “For the purpose of implementing the strategy, it requires that the government and the private sector in all its banking, industrial, agricultural and service fields participate and cooperate in implementing the government’s plans contained in the government curriculum in the axis of supporting the private sector and developing its activities in directions that achieve interim, medium and long-term goals, and this means involving the private sector in a greater role.” In managing the economy and making economic and development decisions.”
I propose that “there be a representative of the private sector in the Council of Ministers in the capacity of observer and participate in expressing opinion and advice, and that the private sector be represented in the boards of directors and opinion bodies in ministries and government productive institutions according to the fields of each sector and in the follow-up committees for following up on the implementation of the decisions of the Council of Ministers, and that there be a vision.” "A clear vision of the role of the private sector for the new phase and the involvement of experts, non-governmental specialists and academics in implementing the desired comprehensive economic, financial and banking reform programme."
A chronology of 15 years of US sanctions against Iraqi individuals and entities
From July 2009 to this February
The network listed the penalties according to their chronological sequence, as follows:
- July 2009 , the US State Department included the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades on the terrorist list.
- August 2012, the United States imposed economic sanctions against the Iraqi Islamic Bank “Elaf”, and placed it on the blacklist on charges of participating in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction through dealing with the Iranian Development Bank. In 2013, the sanction was lifted on the bank, and the Pentagon said at the time that the bank was no longer helping Iran in Evading financial penalties.
- May 2015, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security imposed sanctions against the Iraqi Al-Nasser Airlines, on charges of supporting the Iranian “Mahan Air” airline, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, with 9 aircraft.
- May 2018: Sanctions from the US Treasury on Al-Bilad Islamic Bank and its owner, Member of Parliament Aras Habib, on charges of assisting Iranian parties with financial transfers for the benefit of the Lebanese Hezbollah.
- March 2019: Sanctions from the US Treasury for Harakat al-Nujaba and its leader, Akram al-Kaabi, on charges of helping Iran evade the sanctions imposed on it.
- June 2019: Sanctions from the US State Department on the “Southern Wealth Sources for General Trade” company based in Iraq, and two individuals, Makki Kadhim Al-Asadi and Muhammad Hussein Al-Hassani, on charges of “dealing with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and financing and transferring weapons for the benefit of Iraqi militias loyal to Iran.”
- July 2019: Sanctions from the US Treasury, in accordance with the Global Magnitsky Act for Human Rights and Accountability, against 4 Iraqi figures: Rayan Al-Kildani, “leader of the Babylon armed faction,” Waad Al-Qaddo, “commander in the network mobilization,” and Ahmed Al-Jubouri (Abu Mazen), “head of the parliamentary axis coalition.” “And Nofal Al-Akoub, the governor of Nineveh at the time, was accused of violating human rights and corrupt practices, as US Vice President Mike Pence said at the time that “Washington will not stand idly by while the Iranian-backed militias spread terrorism.”
- December 2019, the US Treasury imposed sanctions against Asaib leader Qais Khazali, his brother, a member of the group, and Hussein Falih (Abu Zainab al-Lami), the security official in the Popular Mobilization Forces, on charges of corruption and human rights violations against the backdrop of “suppression of the October demonstrators.”
- December 2019: US Treasury sanctions against politician Khamis Al-Khanjar on corruption charges.
- January 2020: Asaib Ahl al-Haq, its leader Qais al-Khazali, and his brother Laith, are listed on the terrorist list on charges of “violent agents of Iran who use violence and terrorism to strengthen the Iranian regime’s efforts to undermine Iraqi sovereignty.”
- February 2020: Sanctions from the US State Department against a leader in the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades, Ahmed Al-Hamidawi, on charges of being a “global terrorist” and having a close relationship with Iran.
- March 2020 : Sanctions from the US Treasury against several individuals, the first of which is Adnan Al-Hamidawi, “Abu Ammar”, who works as a special operations commander in the Kata’ib Hezbollah faction loyal to Tehran, on charges of “intimidation operations that targeted Iraqi politicians who did not support the attempts of Iraqi political forces supported by Tehran to remove American forces from... Al-Bilad,” and Muhammad Al-Ghuraifi, a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who works for the Bahjat Al-Kawthar Company in the city of Najaf, on charges of supporting the company’s leading director in the Revolutionary Guard and facilitating the travel of Revolutionary Guard officials between Iraq and Iran, Muhammad Saeed Al-Bahadli, who holds the position of General Manager of the Al-Khamayel Maritime Company. “, an Iraq-based company operating out of the port of Umm Qasr and owned by the Revolutionary Guard, was charged with “selling Iranian petroleum products and facilitating shipments and commercial transactions to circumvent the US sanctions imposed against the Iranian regime,” and the deputy director of the Khamayel Marine Company, Ali Hussein Al-Mansouri, was charged with the same charge.
- January 2021: Sanctions from the US Treasury against the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Faleh al-Fayyad, on charges of human rights violations after Iranian-allied elements in the Popular Mobilization Forces attacked the October demonstrators.
- January 2021: Sanctions from the US Treasury against Abu Fadak al-Muhammadawi, Chief of Staff of the Popular Mobilization Forces, on charges that he heads the Hezbollah Brigades, a “terrorist organization that supports Tehran’s malicious agenda in the region,” according to the Treasury.
- July 2023: Sanctions from the US Treasury against 14 Iraqi banks on charges of involvement in money laundering and fraudulent operations, some of which are for the benefit of Iran, and most of which have an Islamic character and are linked to influential political figures in the country, namely, the Islamic Chancellor Bank, Al-Qartas Islamic Bank, Al-Tafif Islamic Bank, Elaf Islamic Bank, Erbil Investment Bank, International Islamic Bank, Trans Iraq Bank, Mosul Development Bank, Al Rajeh Islamic Bank, Sumer Commercial Bank, Trust International Islamic Bank, Ur Islamic Bank, Islamic World Bank, and Zain Iraq Islamic Investment Bank.
- November 2023: Sanctions from the US Treasury against 5 people in the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades: Imad Naji Al-Bahadli, a member of the ruling Shura Council of the Hezbollah Brigades, the group’s head of foreign affairs, Habib Hassan Mughamis Al-Daraji, the group’s spokesman, Jaafar Al-Husseini, and military commander Khaled. Kazem Jassim Al-Sakini, Bassem Muhammad Hasab Al-Majidi, along with 3 entities: the Sayyid Al-Shuhada Brigades and its leader Abu Alaa Al-Wala’i, the Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas Brigades, and the Karbala Brigades, on charges of “militias allied with Iran and receiving support from the Revolutionary Guards and participated in attacking the Americans in Iraq and Syria.”
- January 2024 Sanctions from the US Treasury against the head of the Human Rights Movement, Hussein Mu’nis, and the director of technical equipment in the Popular Mobilization Forces, Riyad Ali Al-Azzawi, in addition to “Aqad Mohsen Al-Hamidawi,” the younger brother of the Secretary-General of the Hezbollah Brigades, who owns the “Ard Al-Masal” travel and tourism company based in Baghdad, and is used by the “Hezbollah Brigades” to generate revenues and launder money, along with the “Fly Baghdad” airline company and its director, Bashir Al-Shabani, on charges of “transporting weapons and fighters for the benefit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.”
- January 2024 Sanctions from the US Treasury against Al-Huda Bank of Iraq, and its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Hamad Al-Moussawi, on charges of “money laundering and financing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.”
- February 2024: Sanctions from the US Treasury against 7 Iraqi banks on the same charge as Al-Huda Bank, as well as non-compliance with international standards.
Will Smith stars in a new film about the Iraq War and the drug trade
American actor Will Smith is scheduled to star in the thriller film “Sugar Bandits”, based on Chuck Hogan’s novel “Demons in Exile”, and the project will be presented at the upcoming European Film Market (EFM), which started yesterday in Berlin. .
Based on Chuck Hogan's book "Demons in Exile," the thriller focuses on an Iraq War veteran who teams up with a crew of fellow vets to target Boston's drug trade.
Plot details are rare, with the logline currently under wraps. However, the film is based on Hogan's novel, which follows the troubled Iraq War veteran, who later teams up with fellow soldiers to rob Boston drug dealers.
"Sugar Bandits" is Smith's latest film, and his first since the infamous Oscars slap.
Smith has a fourth "Bad Boys" movie still in production, along with the upcoming zombie hit sequel "I Am Legend," which is set to co-star Michael B. Jordan.
Other Movies about Iraq
The Green Zone Matt Damon
Shock and Awe
Official Secrets is the British movie with Keira Kightley
Backstabbing for Beginners
The White House: Vice President Biden and Sudanese meet today at the Munich conference
The Sudanese arrived in Germany yesterday, Thursday, to attend the annual conference, coming from the Netherlands, which he visited yesterday in response to an official invitation, which took several hours before he headed from there to the city of Munich.
Currency speculators make confessions via INA
link wow wow wow
The Directorate of Combating Organized Crime of the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency at the Ministry of Interior detained individuals who were involved in dollar speculating, bank card smuggling, and gambling. The confessions of these individuals are published by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Dollar-speculating
During his confession of engaging in dollar price speculation, one of the accused stated, "What we are doing is withdrawing the dollar from the market, and when its prices rise, it is resold again."
"Some offices of currency exchange businesses or Qi companies operate in buying and selling dollars and making transfers without official permission," he said.
Trafficking in bank cards
"We load the card in Iraq at the official exchange rate, then withdraw money in the UAE through an ATM, and then transfer it to Iraq at the parallel market price," stated a second person charged with bank card trafficking.
He declared: "I obtained 34 cards through illicit means. I obtained citizens' documents by using them to issue cards while posing as a seller of electrical devices that I planned to sell in installments.
Gambling through (Forex)
Although "the Forex site is speculating in global currencies, whether the dollar against the euro or the euro against the yen and enters the gambling field," another accused who engaged in gambling on the website acknowledged this.
"The Central Bank and the Iraq Securities Commission have not granted a license to the company we work for," he said, adding that "the mechanism of work in Forex includes the introduction of citizen courses through targeting them on Instagram or Facebook, where the citizen enters a course in this work and we educate him in this field."
"Not to be drawn into these things because they are illegal," he urged the people.
In an interview with the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Colonel Ahmed Mohammed, the Director of media for the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency, reaffirmed that the arrests of those responsible for these acts are being carried out in compliance with the law under Article No. (2) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Law No. (39) of 2015.
Travelers demand that the Central Bank launch the new mechanism for granting dollars... and reveal the defects of the old one
The travelers confirmed through {Al-Furat News} agency, that "the old mechanism was not successful and relied on nepotism and certain people to receive the dollar, depriving large numbers of travelers of obtaining the dollar, which forced them to go to the parallel market to buy the currency."
An informed source revealed the day before yesterday, Wednesday, that the sale of the dollar at the official rate of the Central Bank of Iraq to travelers had stopped.
The source told Al-Furat News, “The sale of the dollar to travelers has been stopped in most government banks,” noting, “The Central Bank intends to launch a new mechanism to obtain the currency for travelers.”
The Iraqi traveler to countries specified by the Central Bank is given an amount of $3,000, and in the case of treatment, he and the companion are given $6,000 at the official rate {1,320 dinars to the dollar} with the exception of Iran, Syria, and Lebanon.
Al-Sudani urges British companies to go to Iraq: We have fertile ground for investment
Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani stressed, this Friday morning, that Iraq has become a “fertile land” for investment and economic work, calling on British companies to search for their opportunities in the Iraqi environment.
Al-Sawadni’s media office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that the latter received British Foreign Minister David Cameron, on the sidelines of participation in the Munich Security Conference 2024.
During the meeting, Al-Sudani discussed bilateral relations between Iraq and the United Kingdom, and the importance of upgrading and strengthening them in all aspects, in a way that serves the common interests of the two friendly countries, noting that Iraq today represents fertile ground for investments and economic work, and that the doors of investment are open to British companies.
He pointed out that the government seeks to organize work with the international coalition, move towards ending its presence in Iraq, and move to multiple bilateral relations with the coalition countries.
Regarding the situation in Gaza, Al-Sudani stressed the need for the major powers to exercise their role in ending the ongoing war in the Palestinian territories, and stopping its repercussions on the security of the region and the world, and the necessity of protecting civilians and providing urgent humanitarian aid to them, after the comprehensive destruction caused by the occupation forces in the Gaza Strip.
For his part, Cameron expressed his country's desire to expand relations with Iraq, to achieve mutual benefit, stressing that these relations should not be limited to the security aspect, which is being organized through Britain's participation in the international coalition, but rather his country desires to find multiple partnerships with Iraq, especially in economic and development aspects.
The White House: Vice President Biden and Sudanese meet today at the Munich conference
The Sudanese arrived in Germany yesterday, Thursday, to attend the annual conference, coming from the Netherlands, which he visited yesterday in response to an official invitation, which took several hours before he headed from there to the city of Munich.
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