Al-Sudani enjoys the highest popular support since 2012
Researchers and academics saw that the extent of satisfaction and support enjoyed by Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani and his government among Iraqis reflects a true and realistic picture, and they indicated that what was published by the American international “Gallup” organization that Al-Sudani received a high percentage of support from citizens compared to those before him, It came in the context of the service movement undertaken by the Prime Minister and his initiation of a number of steps since taking office that resonated with the majority of Iraqis.
The academic researcher, Dr. Qasim Balshan Al-Tamimi, indicated in an interview with “Al-Sabah” that “the results of the American Gallup referendum regarding the acceptability of Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani to the Iraqi people are real and can be felt by every observer, especially with regard to Al-Sudani’s political personality, which differs greatly.” For all political figures who have assumed the position of Prime Minister since 2003.
He explained, “The Sudanese difference comes from the fact that he raised the slogan of a government of services and focused on infrastructure, as he was able to implement a very large campaign in the field of road networks and bridges, and this is extremely important, because the process of movement and walking in a smooth manner, far from traffic complications, facilitates the movement of traffic.” People and goods and makes people more energetic in doing their work.”
He pointed out, "The American report is a clear and frank measure of the success of the Sudanese government and its major role in bringing the views of many political forces closer together. For the first time, Iraq is witnessing a great rapprochement with the Kurdistan Regional Government, and this is in the interest of Iraq and the Iraqi people."
Al-Tamimi added, "The Sudanese was able to gain the trust of the international community and was able to be a major factor in the return of normal relations between some countries in the region, whose relations were marred by great and dangerous tension."
He continued: “In general, the report of the American Gallup Foundation put the dots on the letters that the Sudanese enjoys the support of the segments of Iraqi society in general and at a high rate, and this is something that opens the door wide for the future of Iraq to be an economically and politically strong Iraq, to take its role in the region and the world in the way that It is befitting of its history, which extends for more than seven thousand years.”
In turn, the head of the Al-Sharq Center for Strategic Studies and Information, Ali Mahdi Al-Araji, told Al-Sabah: “Al-Sudani is a man who has advanced in career work in the state and understands the temperament of the Iraqi citizen and his general actual need, so he worked to create some visible achievements that in turn appeal and attract the mind of the Iraqi citizen.” Citizens include roads, bridges, etc., as they give an urban character and reflection to the citizen.”
He added, "It is no secret to anyone that the country needs all kinds of services in all aspects of life, and everyone is certain and aware that the Sudanese cannot perform miracles in rebuilding the rubble of the country, but he has begun to start something noticeable that affects the daily life of the Iraqi individual." This is the utmost ambition of an individual.”
Al-Araji added, “Despite this, the service achievements that have been achieved do not fully express what is required to be accomplished. The country is still suffering from cracks in all institutions, and the parallel market is still high in the exchange rate difference, and we have not witnessed a real strategic project intended to support the Iraqi economy.” Foreign relations are also unclear and ambiguous, and the Sudanese did not intend to solve all the problems with the region, in addition to the issues of ports, borders, currency and oil smuggling, etc.
He continued: "We also have not witnessed a plan or future action map that establishes the transition of the country from the rentier side to multiple production, industrial, agricultural, and other things."
According to a report conducted by the American Gallup Foundation, “Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani received a strong approval rating (69%) among Iraqis in 2023, which is the highest level the organization has recorded for any Iraqi leader since it began tracking this measure in 2012.”
The report added, “Iraqis under the age of 30 are equally positive toward the Sudanese (68%) as older Iraqis, and the majority of those living in Kurdistan also approve of the Sudanese’s job performance.” The report also indicates that “confidence “Institutions are reaching new heights, as 57% of Iraqis trust their judicial system, which is the highest percentage in two decades.”
The President of the Republic: Iraq has an opportunity to be one of the most advanced countries in the region
The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, confirmed: “Iraq has an opportunity to be one of the most advanced countries in the region.”
The media office of the President of the Republic stated in a statement: “The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, received at Baghdad Palace, the Governor of Basra, Asaad Al-Eidani, and handed him the presidential decree appointing him as Governor of Basra, and offered congratulations on the occasion of his assuming the position of governor for a second term,” expressing his wishes for him to succeed in his term. His work tasks.
The President of the Republic stressed the importance of making more efforts to serve Basra Governorate and its people, providing services and implementing projects that would improve the governorate’s situation, stressing: “The people of Basra deserve a lot because they have endured exceptional circumstances, in addition to the city’s historical status and its possession of great resources and energies.”
The World Bank praises the steadfastness of the Iraqi economy in the face of global fluctuations
Today, Monday (February 19, 2024), Director of the Financial Management Project at the World Bank, Winston Cole, praised the steadfastness of the Iraqi economy in the face of global fluctuations.
The media office of the Minister of Finance stated in a statement received by “Baghdad Today”, that “Minister of Finance, Taif Sami Muhammad, received today, Monday, Winston Cole, Director of the Financial Management Project at the World Bank, and members of the delegation accompanying him,” indicating that “during the meeting, aspects of relations between Iraq and the World Bank, especially in light of the existing cooperation program to complete the implementation of the economic reforms adopted by the Iraqi government.”
For her part, in this regard, the Minister of Finance expressed appreciation for the fruitful partnership between the two sides, stressing “the Iraqi government’s keenness to continue it, and the positive climate it provides for all investors and global financial markets regarding the Iraqi economy,” stressing at the same time “the Iraqi government’s determination to continue promoting reforms.” The structure related to financial and monetary policies and maximizing the role of the private sector in development.
For his part, Cole stressed “the World Bank’s aspiration to continue the distinguished cooperation relations with Iraq and its support for its economic reforms,” praising “the performance of the Iraqi economy and the flexibility and steadfastness it has shown in the face of the negative repercussions resulting from global economic fluctuations.”
He pointed out, "The bank continues to strengthen joint work with the Iraqi government to improve the overall indicators of the economy, deepen the participation of the private sector and complete the ongoing development work."
Iraq and Iran exchange the remains of people who went missing during the war
The Human Rights Directorate of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced, on Monday, the exchange of remains between Iraq and Iran for people who went missing during the war between the two countries (1980 - 1988).
A statement from the directorate received by Shafaq News Agency stated, “Based on the memorandum of understanding signed between the Islamic Republics of Iraq and Iran in 2008, today an exchange of the remains of martyrs lost as a result of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988) took place through the Shalamcheh border crossing.”
The statement indicated that “the receipt and delivery process was carried out under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross and in the presence of a number of officers and members, without disclosing the number of remains that were exchanged.”
This exchange is not the first, as during the past year and the years that preceded it, multiple batches were exchanged, by the joint Iraqi-Iranian committee, which the two countries agreed to form with the aim of searching for the remains of war victims, and under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The First Gulf War or the Iran-Iraq War, which the Iraqi government at the time called Saddam’s Qadisiyah while it was known in Iran as the Sacred Defense (in Persian: Holy Defense), was a war that broke out between Iraq and Iran from September 1980 until August 1988, and ended without victory. Both sides of the conflict accepted a ceasefire. Despite this, the war left about one million dead and financial losses amounting to 400 billion US dollars.
This war lasted for eight years, making it the longest military conflict in the twentieth century and one of the bloodiest military conflicts in the world.
Specialist: Iraq's economic environment is qualified to attract international and Arab banks
Economist and professor of financial economics at the University of Baghdad, Hammam Al-Shamaa, confirmed today, Monday (February 19, 2024), that Iraq’s economic environment is qualified to attract international and Arab banks.
Al-Shamaa told “Baghdad Today” that “Iraq and its economic and even security and political environment are ready to attract international and Arab banks,” considering that “this is an important step for developing the banking sector in Iraq, whether governmental or private, especially since there are international banks currently operating in Iraq".
He stressed that "the work of any bank, even if it is international, must be in accordance with compliance with international standards in financial transfers, and any bank that violates this exposes itself to sanctions, whether American or even by the Central Bank of Iraq."
He pointed out that "attracting international banks must not be limited to one country alone, but rather it must be comprehensive without any discrimination, and this is the case in all developed countries of the world."
The talk about attracting banks from outside the country comes as many Iraqi banks continue to be banned from dealing in dollars as a result of non-compliance with the controls of the Central Bank and the US Federal Bank.
A foreign desire to participate in it.. Parliamentary Finance reveals the importance of the “Iraqi Fund for Development”
Today, Monday (February 19, 2024), the Parliamentary Finance Committee commented on the positives of the Iraq Fund for Development, confirming that there is a great desire for foreign and private sector participation within this fund.
Committee member Mustafa Al-Karaawi told “Baghdad Today” that “there are certainly many great positives for the Iraq Fund for Development in economic and financial terms, as well as urban and various services,” considering that “this Fund will be a real partner in the various development processes.”
Al-Karaawi stated, “There is a real desire on the part of various foreign parties, as well as private sector entities, to be a real partner in supporting many sectors, most notably various investments and addressing the housing, industry, and agriculture crisis, and there are major countries that will be within this fund.”
The government previously revealed that the Iraq Fund for Development was established in the budget for the purpose of speeding up its launch, and its budget amounts to one trillion dinars annually, indicating that there is an intention to write a special law for the Fund, and it works to implement projects with the private sector away from the government.
urgentIraq submits a request to host the 2025 Arab Summit in the capital, Baghdad
The government spokesman, Bassem Al-Awadi, said in a statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, that: “In view of the restoration of Iraq’s deserved role regionally and globally, and in line with the government’s direction towards strengthening its position and conveying the true positive image of it, which has begun to take hold instead of the distorted one, due to... The difficult circumstances that our ancient country was able to overcome with the determination and sacrifices of its people. Iraq submitted a request to host the 2025 Arab Summit in the capital, Baghdad.
He added, "As the government seeks to complete the components of this hosting, to suit the guests who are leaders of Arab countries, in accordance with diplomatic norms and in accordance with the status and reputation of the host country, so the government has begun to prepare and secure the necessary requirements for this."
Al-Awadi continued, “The isolation that Iraq suffered during the dictatorial regime, and our war against terrorism throughout the past era, did not provide the opportunity to rehabilitate the state’s basic infrastructure, allowing it to host important and large regional and global events, which missed many opportunities in which he could have played.” Iraq plays an active and influential role in the international arena.”
He added, “In view of the above and in order to prepare for the Arab Summit in Baghdad in 2025, and other international events related to Iraq, which were previously held in neighboring or regional countries for the reasons mentioned above, and to end this abnormal situation, there has become an urgent need to prepare the necessary infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of hospitality headquarters.” "The government is deteriorating significantly and clearly."
Al-Awadi explained, “After circulating a document on social media platforms indicating the rehabilitation of a number of (houses), it was necessary to note that the government has decided to comprehensively rehabilitate some of the presidential complexes, which include a number of major guest houses that were previously occupied by some ministers and representatives.” Which made it in need of a comprehensive maintenance and rehabilitation process, and the Ministry of Construction and Housing prepared the required statements in accordance with its price and technical specifications, and the Ministry of Planning presented them to the Council of Ministers for approval, and approval was obtained by the esteemed Council’s decision on 2/7/2024.”
He called for "being accurate in conveying information and avoiding the opportunity for those who seek to falsify the facts and harm the reputation of our dear country."
Al-Nujaba “truce”: We met with the Sudanese and give him a but America “cannot” leave Iraq
“Khamenei asked not to interfere”
The official spokesman for the Al-Nujaba Movement confirmed the existence of a “truce” to ease pressure on the government of Muhammad Al-Sudani, as the movement’s leaders met with him, but he expressed his belief that Washington “does not want and cannot” leave Iraq.
Hassan Al-Moussawi, in an interview with the journalist Ahmed Mulla Talal:
The axis of resistance, by uniting the arenas, was able to teach the American and Israeli enemy a lesson that they will not forget.
We stopped (the attacks) due to societal and political pressure from religious and political figures and authorities, who put great pressure on the resistance fighters to reduce the severity of the confrontation.
The other side is to give the Iraqi government an opportunity to take the initiative in the political direction, which is what it has proven now, that is, we give the government an opportunity to implement what the factions wanted and what Iraq originally wanted.
We took up this issue despite many objections to it and despite the fact that the Americans do not deal with this logic.
When Ismail Qaani assumed command of the Quds Force, he met with His Eminence Sayyed Ali Khamenei, and personally informed him of the necessity of not interfering in Iraqi affairs in any way, and that the decision is an Iraqi decision.
The words issued from here and there that Iranian interference, presence, and Iranian decision are completely false.
The sons of the resistance are the sons of the Iraqi people, and no one can compete with them. The existence of the resistance is linked to the Iraqi people, and they represent the historical dimension of everything that Iraq represents.
The political parties are those who feel that their existence is linked to the presence of the Americans, so they defend their interests because they are linked to the presence of the occupier.
Everyone knows and is fully aware that the United States does not want and cannot leave Iraq whether we like it or not, and everything that is said is just deception.
We are in a war called the asymmetric war, and we are aware of the enormous size of the Americans. The Iranians never spoke logically about making Iraq an arena for settling their scores.
What the Iraqi resistance achieved made America submit to Iraqi demands and conditions, and it was the one who sat it at the dialogue table, not the Iraqi political negotiator.
The resistance has an opinion and conveyed its message clearly (regarding foreign forces). We spoke directly with the Sudanese, and we delivered a clear message, that the presence of the Americans will keep the situation as it is, and will keep Iraq weak, and we are working to restore the prestige of the Iraqi authority.
Wealth Committee: The oil and gas law is not compatible with the ambitions of the producing governorates
Member of the Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee, Sabah Sobhi, confirmed on Monday that the Oil and Gas Law was prepared by the Federal Ministry of Oil without taking into account the observations of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the oil-producing governorates.
Sobhi told Al-Maalouma, “The draft oil and gas law was born in the Federal Ministry of Oil, and the opinion of the region and the oil-producing governorates was not taken into account.”
He added, "The current draft is similar to the 2011 draft and does not fit with the aspirations of the people and the oil-producing provinces," noting that two technical delegations from the Kurdistan region and the Iraqi Oil Ministry are continuing to discuss technical issues about the draft oil and gas law
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!
Sudanese participation in the Munich Conference...an advanced stage of the actual liberation of Iraq
ne of the most important positive signals that Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani conveyed to the world, during his attendance at the Munich Security Conference, is that Iraq is determined to remove foreign forces, especially American forces, from Iraq, and then define the country’s relationship with NATO countries with equal relations according to common interests.
This message, which was adopted by Al-Sudani, represents a very advanced stage in the stages of the actual liberation of Iraq from American military and economic influence.
This reflected a very positive impression on the part of the national political forces and the Iraqi people, and at the same time bemoaned the efforts of the traitors and submissives who are pushing the American occupier to remain for well-known political and personal purposes, including that Iraq in its current form serves their interests and the interests of their masters.
This year, the Munich Security Conference celebrated its sixtieth anniversary at its traditional venue, the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, Germany. Politicians, security and military leaders, and high-level experts from all over the world participated in it to discuss the most pressing issues related to international security.
The Security Conference constitutes a unique platform of its kind in the world for discussing security policies. It is hardly the only place where such a large number of government representatives - including hostile governments - leaders and security experts come together.
The point of the conference is not its program alone. Rather, many appreciate the possibility that the conference offers political actors to communicate informally in the corridors, exchange opinions in the meeting rooms, get to know each other, benefit from situations, draw red lines, or exchange ideas for resolving conflicts. .
Iraq's participation in this conference was successful by all standards, as seen by observers and politicians, including the representative of the Fatah Alliance, Muin Al-Kazemi, to Al-Maalouma, who described the political movement adopted by Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani, in his current European tour, leaving no room for any party to doubt. With his seriousness about the necessity of expelling the American occupier.
Al-Kadhimi said, "The Iraqi government is continuing its efforts to remove foreign forces from Iraq, as the United Nations will be resorted to to document and confirm the complete American withdrawal."
He added, "Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani's continued emphasis on setting a timetable to end the tasks of the American coalition shows the extent of Iraqi seriousness in imposing full sovereignty."
In addition, the representative of the Sadiqoun bloc, Muhammad Karim, confirmed Al-Sudani’s seriousness in removing the Americans, indicating that Al-Sudani explained this matter to the American Vice President.
He told Al-Maalouma, “Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani’s demand to the US Vice President to withdraw her country’s forces from Iraq confirms his seriousness in closing this file, indicating that “this matter is one of the priorities of the government program.”
Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani confirmed to US Vice President Kamala Harris that the tasks of the international coalition to fight ISIS in Iraq must be ended, on the sidelines of his sovereignty’s participation in the 2024 Munich Security Conference.
He pointed out that "the recent American attacks did not go unaccounted for, and it will not be sufficient for Iraq now to completely withdraw and hold those involved accountable in every way" from Iraq.
Political observer Sabah Al-Ukaili confirmed to Al-Maalouma that Iraq is capable of being a key player in stopping the Zionist war on the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian people.
Al-Ugaili said, “What Prime Minister Muhammad al-Sudani presented during his meetings with American officials in Munich regarding Iraq’s position on the Gaza war is confirmation that Iraq is an important and supportive part of the Palestinian cause and can be a key player in stopping the entity’s war on Gaza, with endless support from the United States.” "American."
He added, "The meetings conducted by Al-Sudani at the security conference in Germany with American officials, led by US Vice President Harris, raised the issue of the Gaza war and the crimes committed by the Zionist entity against our people in occupied Palestine, and a statement of Iraq's position in support of the Palestinians was presented."
He continued, "Al-Sudani informed the American side of his rejection of what some mediators are proposing for a two-state solution, and that the position of the Sudanese government is an indication that Iraq is capable of being a key player in stopping the Gaza war."
The Prime Minister renewed "Iraq's firm position regarding sovereignty over Iraqi territory, as it is one of the principles that cannot be tolerated or neglected under various reasons and circumstances." Ended
Economists urge expanding the adoption of electronic payment in market transactions
Economics specialists stressed the need to expand the adoption of electronic payment systems in market transactions because of their multiple benefits, most notably the ease and ease of use and achieving a greater security element, while they indicated that these systems could be one of the factors related to reducing inflation levels.
The electronic payment file is being followed up by Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani through holding successive and continuous meetings in order to strengthen the procedures related to this issue, in light of the important progress made in arranging payment at the collection level, in addition to the fact that the Council of Ministers approved a number of important packages and decisions that facilitate this process. The process and not charging the citizen commissions.
Speaking to Al-Sabah, economic expert Dr. Nabil Al-Marsoumi praised the adoption of electronic payment card systems, as they achieved clear and tangible results through their many advantages, most notably ease and ease of use.
He added that the payment process according to this mechanism means the method of conducting financial transactions or paying bills and collecting money through an electronic intermediary without using cash, which achieves an element of safety compared to paper money, in addition to controlling the infiltration of counterfeit money, not to mention maintaining safety in terms of controlling money. Diseases transmitted through the circulation of money Contaminated.
He continued that the electronic payment system is related to inflation levels, which have reached about 4 percent according to statistics, but it is too early to consider it a major factor in reducing this percentage, especially since it is an acceptable percentage compared to past years, as the comparison requires approximately a year to measure the difference between inflation levels. .
Al-Marsoumi described the electronic payment process for merchants as a factor that helps maintain, guarantee, and security compared to cash dealing, in addition to reducing the burden of cash masses, accompanied by enabling the holder to obtain loans with ease and convenience.
The Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Al-Alaq, confirms that the electronic payment process aims to significantly reduce the economic degree of cash and has important repercussions that focus on raising the level of transactions away from the excessive use of cash currently practiced in the local economy, indicating at the same time a significant decrease in inflation compared to the beginning.
The year is 2023.
In turn, Imad Al-Muhammadawi, who is interested in economic affairs, stressed to Al-Sabah the necessity of strengthening the electronic payment process in all economic fields and using this mechanism in market transactions, with the importance of making it a priority in the economic transformations and revolution taking place in the country and reducing the excessive use of cash in buying and selling operations. Because of the multiple positives it brings to all parties.
For its part, the Securities Commission announced that cash payments are accepted through electronic payment methods, and directed it to list payment companies on the stock market.
The Chairman of the Authority, Faisal Al-Haims, said: The Authority represents a supervisory body over the Iraqi Stock Exchange, and since the beginning of the Prime Minister’s directive to take steps to automate electronic payment and ongoing operations in the market in general, the Authority has been forming a work team to support this file.
He pointed out that the market is currently moving to use this mechanism through intermediaries working in the Iraq Stock Exchange, noting that electronic payment companies are not traded in the Iraq Stock Exchange, but there are companies in various other sectors, including banks, present in trading in the Iraq Stock Exchange.
Japan to establish ‘photovoltaic stations’ in Kurdistan Region, says Japanese ambassador
Matsumoto also said that he would like to “level up” their relations with the Kurdistan Region.
Japanese Ambassador to Iraq, Futoshi Matsumoto, on Tuesday told Kurdistan24 that they’re going to establish photovoltaic stations in the Kurdistan Region.
“We are talking with the Ministry of Electricity about establishing substations together with photovoltaic stations,” the envoy stressed.
Matsumoto also said that he would like to “level up” their relations with the Kurdistan Region.
“We are going to build sewage in Erbil… in the coming years,” he added and noted, “If anyone has a good idea for a future project let me hear I'm ready to hear your request.”
On Nov. 5, 2022, Matsumoto announced that Japan had provided long-term loans to the Iraqi Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to improve the electricity, water, and agriculture sectors in Iraq.
The JICA has undertaken several projects with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) including waterways, agriculture, and electrical infrastructure. It has also been in talks with the KRG’s Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism to amend the capital Erbil’s current master plan of renovating the entire city, including the Citadel, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Centre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpJtlTmHjL4
US Consulate General in Erbil encourages Kurdistan Region's citizens to open bank accounts
The statement adds that “the informal money transfer services are detrimental to local economies.”
In an official post in the Facebook account of the US Consulate General in Erbil, it is stated that citizens of Kurdistan Region could protect their capital from theft, loss and all financial crimes if they open their personal bank accounts.
It is also mentioned in the post that the new services provided by the banks increase the potential for investment. It increases the international confidence in the citizens of Iraq and Kurdistan Region, and it is the most secure way to protect the capital from being subject to financial wrongdoings, theft and loss.
The statement adds that “the informal money transfer services are detrimental to local economies.”
Additionally, the statement clarifies that according to the World Bank, in 2021 only “18.57% of Iraqis above the age of 15 held an account at a financial institution. This is one of the lowest in the Middle East and North Africa region, which averages roughly 53%”.
Furthermore, the US Consulate maintained that the continued reliance on use of and dependence on cash and informal money transfer services is harmful to the economy because it diminishes the prospects of financial regulation necessary to convince reputable international firms to conduct business in Iraq and Kurdistan Region.
“Over the past two years, the U.S. government has worked with Iraq to build back trust in the banking sector and reform transfer mechanisms related to imports financed through Iraqi banks,” the post explained.
The statement concludes that the new reforms encourage the proper registration of businesses and increase the use of formal banking channels. “According to the Central Bank of Iraq, in the past two years the total deposits held with Iraqi commercial banks have risen by about 37%, and from 2021 to 2022, the total number of accounts at Iraqi banks has risen 31%.”
The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Finance and Economy announced in January that the first phase of the MyAccount initiative in Erbil province has reached its final phase, and approximately 190,000 civil servants in Erbil province have registered in the program.
MyAccount Initiative is the KRG's financial inclusion program which aims to provide public sector beneficiaries with a safe and convenient way to access their salaries.
Al-Shammari: The events in Gaza disrupted the Sudanese visit to Washington, and we will open projects that were like a dream
Al-Shammari said in a televised statement, “What happened after October 7, 2023, and the security confusion in the Middle East disrupted the timing of the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington,” indicating that “Iraqi diplomatic teams are working to organize the visit’s time and agenda.”
He stated that "the Iraqi embassy in Washington is active and is continuously supplied with files," adding that "the political file and the nature of the partnership will be the priority in the discussion between Iraq and America."
He noted that "Iraq has improved its relations with European countries and with China and is working to diversify its political and economic relations. We want the regional region to end conflicts and move towards stability," noting that "Baghdad is working to end the tragedy that is happening in Gaza."
He continued, "The regional and international factor affects the arrangement of the political situation inside Iraq."
Al-Shammari believed that "the state administration coalition represents an opportunity for the political system to mature its tools."
He added, "Iraq has contracted with Siemens Company for the entire BG group to provide and maintain electrical energy. It is expected that we will witness a tangible result of the contract with Siemens during the next two years. The government's role is to restore citizens' confidence in the government and the executive branch."
He said, "With the government's good management of the economic file, we were able to overcome many obstacles, and the development road project is the largest in the world. It will strengthen international relations and create thousands of job opportunities."
He revealed, "Work has begun to establish industrial cities in various Iraqi governorates, and we will open projects during this year and next year, which was a dream," noting that "in total, 9 huge hospitals will be completed, equipped with the latest equipment and managed by specialized foreign companies, and this will reflect positively on the health sector."
Al-Shammari stressed, "We have a road map in the health sector, as 4 factories will be opened for international companies that manufacture medicines."
He said, "Baghdad Airport does not represent the civilized front of the country, and the government has drawn up a road map to rehabilitate the airport in a manner befitting Iraq. The 10 largest coalitions in the world specialized in establishing airports will be invited to rebuild Baghdad Airport, to create an airport that matches the world's airports and will be a global transit point," pointing out that "opening more." From 400 schools out of 1,200 schools, work will be done to build schools with modern designs and according to new systems.”
Forces roam the streets of Najaf and review store records in search of dollar transactions
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In support of the Iraqi dinar
Anti-organized crime forces in Najaf Governorate carried out an extensive inspection tour inside markets, travel and tourism companies, generator selling companies, wholesale markets, mobile phone selling companies, and car showrooms, with the aim of monitoring prices and punishing price manipulators and those dealing in the US dollar.
Captain Amir Karim - Combating Organized Crime:
Our detachments conduct continuous tours in markets, wholesale stores, travel company owners, commercial malls, and mobile phone stores to monitor violations and ensure that the prices of basic goods and foodstuffs or dealing in the dollar are not raised.
The goal of this campaign is to support the Iraqi dinar and hold dollar speculators accountable. Legal measures have been taken against violators and referred to the judiciary.
Al-Sudani: We received an official letter from the American embassy implementing the withdrawal of international coalition forces
Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani confirmed today, Tuesday, that he had received an official letter from the American embassy implementing the withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq.
Al-Sudani said in a press conference attended by the Al-Maalouma correspondent, “We received an official letter from the American embassy approving the outcomes of the meeting held in Washington to schedule an end to the presence of foreign forces.”
Regarding his recent visit to the Netherlands, Al-Sudani stated that it "came within the framework of developing bilateral relations and within the context of building companies."
Representative: 450 laws withdrawn by the government from the House of Representatives
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Member of the House of Representatives, Hadi Al-Salami, called on the government to refer back the laws that it withdrew from Parliament, which amount to 450 important laws after amending them.
Al-Salami explained, in an interview with “Al-Sabah,” that “the Council of Ministers withdrew a very important set of laws during session No. 302 on 11/15/2022,” noting that “the laws that the government withdrew are approximately 450 laws for the purpose of amending them, but the government did not return them.” To the Council, and therefore delaying its approval affects the interests of citizens.”
He added, "Among the important laws that were withdrawn is a law related to employees, amending the salary scale, and the Federal Civil Service Law," noting that "the service law is related to Budget Law No. 13 of 2023 in Article 58 and the budget instructions." Regarding the salaries of state employees, Al-Salami said: “There is no doubt that there are salaries worth 150,000 dinars for the permanent staff, which is not enough and constitutes a constitutional violation of Article 14, which states: (Iraqis are equal before the law without discrimination based on gender or race). Or nationality, origin, color, religion, sect, belief, opinion, or economic or social status), in addition to the high cost of living,” pointing out that “with the reduction of the salaries of the President of the Republic, the advisors, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the members of the House of Representatives, as "It is necessary to have justice and equality."
He continued, "There are other projects that were withdrawn by the Presidency of the Republic, including the draft legal profession law, the first amendment to the Supreme Criminal Court law, the Ministry of Electricity law, the General Secretariat of the Prime Minister, the draft federal service law, the second amendment to the public roads law, the reconstruction law, and the amendment The first is the law of the National Oil Company, the law of the Martyrs Foundation, the law of science, and the law of services in state departments.” The representative stated that he "presented an official overture to the acting Speaker of Parliament and the relevant committees, for the purpose of affirming the government to complete these laws that relate to the interests of the Iraqi people and return them to the House of Representatives."
The Russian Ambassador’s vision: Iraq and the chances of joining the “BRICS” group
The Russian ambassador to Iraq, Elbrus Kutrashev, said that the opportunity is available to Iraq to join the BRICS countries, and that he is not concerned with the nature of the American response to this decision if Baghdad takes it. He also spoke with great admiration about the visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani to Moscow (October 2023). He said that he did not expect the visit to be so successful.
Kutrashev, in a televised interview, said, “Russian-Iraqi relations are good and have a long history, and there are no complications, neither from a historical standpoint nor from a current standpoint, and external factors are what complicate these relations. As for the two peoples, we have a good and solid friendship. I am very comfortable with being Russia's ambassador to Iraq.
He added, “In diplomatic life, it is very difficult to separate personal life from work life, and I intended to choose Iraq as my first diplomatic station, because I love Iraq and my personal life is linked to Iraq. My first son was born in Baghdad in 1999, and bears the name David, so I am Abu David.” “.
He pointed out that “Russia is ready to provide anything that Iraq needs, and we will not hold back on anything that we can provide and give to Iraq, including economic cooperation. The visit of the Sudanese President to Russia was very successful and above all expectations, and I was convinced that the visit would be successful, but not to this.” Al-Hadd, and the visit had a historical dimension and formed a solid base for continuing to develop our relations in all fields.”
Kutrashev stated, “In Iraq, we do not play the game of axes, and we do not look at Iraq as an arena for conflicts with anyone. Iraq is the one who chooses with whom it will develop its relations, and we have no sensitivity towards any country, whether Russia, America, China, or other countries.”
If Iraq wishes to join the BRICS group, there is a joint leadership that is looking into the matter. In fact, we have no agendas against America or others. If Iraq wants, welcome, we will work to help it comfortably, and I do not care about the American response on this issue.
How did Baghdad exploit it? The factions stop their attacks against American forces at the request of Qaani
In a report published today, Sunday (February 18, 2024), Reuters International revealed the details of Hezbollah’s announcement in Iraq to stop its attacks against American forces after three American soldiers were killed in an attack targeting their base in Jordan last month.
The agency said, according to what Baghdad Today translated, that the leader of the Iranian Quds Forces, Ismail Qaani, traveled to Iraq on the twenty-ninth of last January, and held a meeting at Baghdad International Airport with leaders and officials of the armed factions in Iraq, during which he asked them to “stop attacks on American forces, less than 48 hours after the United States announced the killing of three of its soldiers at the “Tower 22” military base in Jordan.
She continued, "Qaani warned the leaders of retaliatory strikes that the United States would carry out directly targeting them, or the infrastructure of their factions," adding, "Some sources also confirmed that Qaani is taking into consideration that the Americans will directly target Iran or strike its warship currently stationed near Yemen." , according to her description.
The sources said, “Qaani informed the leaders of the militant groups that American bloodshed might entail the risk of a severe American response, including attacks on senior leaders and the destruction of key infrastructure, or even direct retaliation against Iran, as all groups immediately agreed to Qaani’s proposal.” One group, Kataib Hezbollah, announced the next day that it would stop attacking American positions, while Harakat al-Nujaba announced that it would continue its attacks against American forces until they left the area.
The agency confirmed that “information about Qaani’s instructions may be the reason that prompted Washington to delay its military response to the killing of its soldiers for about six consecutive days,” explaining, “The United States did not want escalation and was aware of the faction leaders exploiting that critical period by evacuating their positions before they were exposed to American bombing.” ".
Reuters also noted that “attacks on American forces have stopped since the fourth of February, suggesting that “Qaani’s movements, Washington’s knowledge of them, and consequently its delay in military response operations” contributed to reducing tension and sparing the region a direct conflict,” according to its report.
Reuters also explained that “the cessation of attacks against American forces on the one hand, and the latter’s implementation of retaliatory bombing operations inside Iraq, gave the Baghdad government an opportunity to revive negotiations related to the final exit of American forces from the country,” noting that “the Iraqi government’s discussions with the American side may be The reason why Qaani limited his request to stop attacks against American forces in Iraq only, and not to push him towards the Houthis in Yemen.”
Finance announces the completion of “QR”... applying the validity of electronic receipts for various transactions
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Today, Sunday, the Ministry of Finance announced the completion of the implementation of the (QR) system for the validity of electronic receipts for various transactions.
In compliance with the directives of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ms. Taif Sami, to simplify government procedures and ease the routine of administrative transactions on the shoulders of the citizen, and with direct follow-up by the head of the Bureau, Ms. Isra Saleh Daoud, the Bureau (one of the Ministry’s formations) announced the completion of the implementation of the electronic breast health system.
The secure electronic documents system that works to send authentication books issued by the Bureau or received by the rest of the departments, by creating a special barcode for the issued books and verifying the incoming books.
It is worth noting the importance of this system in simplifying government procedures and reducing the time, effort, and commissions that fall on the citizen. It also works to reduce administrative momentum in institutions, in addition to avoiding paper transactions and closing outlets for illicit benefits and counterfeiting.
Al-Sudani discusses with the US Deputy Attorney General the file to recover the stolen funds
Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani returned to the capital, Baghdad, after concluding his official visit to the Netherlands and participating in the 2024 Munich Security Conference.
According to the government statement, {Al-Furat News} received a copy of it that: “Al-Sudani held a series of meetings and meetings in both the Dutch city of The Hague and Munich, Germany, which were as follows:
-Holding bilateral discussions with his Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte.
-Heading the Iraqi delegation in the expanded meeting with the official Dutch delegation.
- Receiving the CEO of Shell, which specializes in the energy sector, the CEO of Mammut, which specializes in the transportation sector, and the Director of Government Relations at Seabolt, which specializes in the energy sector.
-Attending a dialogue seminar in the presence of a group of businessmen and representatives of 40 Dutch companies.
-Munich
-Meeting with the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein.
- Meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
-A meeting was held with German Chancellor Olaf Schulz.
- Meeting with Danish Prime Minister Metta Frederiksen.
- Meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
- Meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
- Meeting with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaya Kallas.
- Receiving British Foreign Minister David Cameron.
-Meeting with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani.
- Receiving the Commander of the Joint Forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Admiral Stuart Munch.
-Receiving four members of the US Congress.
-Receiving the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spolijaric Egger.
-Meeting with the Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard.
-Receiving US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
- Meeting with the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and the head of the strategic review team for the work of the UNAMI mission in Iraq, Volker Peretz.
-Receiving Siemens International Energy CEO Christian Bruch.
-Receiving Lorenzo Mariani, General Manager of the Italian company Leonardo, which specializes in security, defense and security information systems.
- Receiving a number of leaders of intelligence and security services in various friendly countries.
Barzani wraps up his Germany visit following a fruitful involvement in the MSC
The President of Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani, wrapped up his visit to Germany on Sunday afternoon, after three days of active participation in the Munich Security Conference (MSC), held several meetings with leaders and officials of various countries and their delegations.
Barzani engaged in discussions with high-ranking officials from multiple countries regarding the security and political situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The talks also addressed the regional and global implications of conflicts in the Middle East, opportunities and challenges for energy cooperation and security, as well as the impact of climate change, including the Kurdistan Region's stance on this issue.
Throughout his three-day visit, Barzani held meetings with a diverse array of leaders and diplomats, including the UN Secretary-General, the President of Azerbaijan, and the King of Jordan. He also met with the Prime Ministers of Greece, Qatar, Armenia, and Estonia, as well as the Vice President of the EU and top officials responsible for foreign affairs and security policy. Additionally, Barzani engaged in discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, Austria, Turkey, Kuwait, the Vatican, and Bahrain, as well as the Defense Ministers of Britain and Germany.
Furthermore, Barzani engaged in discussions with various other delegations and high-ranking officials, such as the US Congress delegations from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the senior advisor to the US president on energy and investment matters, the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Economic Cooperation and Development from Germany, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, the leader of the independent strategic review team representing the UN envoy to Iraq, and a delegation consisting of three legislators from the German Social Democratic Party, the Christian Democratic Union, and the Christian Social Union. Moreover, he also met with advisors of the French president specializing in diplomatic affairs.
On Thursday afternoon, Barzani, departed from Erbil to Germany to participate in the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024 February 16 to 18, 2024. He engaged in meetings with leaders and senior officials addressing the security situation and the obstacles confronting peace and stability in Iraq, the surrounding region, and the world.
An American official returned from Baghdad: Sudanese is currently in a better position and there are no negotiations with Iraq
“A sharp disagreement between Biden and the Pentagon”
A senior American official who had just returned from Baghdad objected to describing the military dialogue with Iraq as “negotiations,” saying that what is taking place between the two countries are “discussions to develop the security partnership,” while stressing that partners in the Iraqi government have “valuable views” regarding the danger posed by He faces Iraq, and is currently not related to ISIS as a top security priority, according to his statements to the 964 network .
The American official, who spoke of “heated discussions” between the US State Department and the Pentagon regarding attacks against their soldiers in Iraq, said that the list of “hostile” targets was drawn up and targeted in isolation from the Iraqi-American dialogue.
This official, who spoke to the 964 Network over the phone, when he was returning from an official business trip in Baghdad, expressed his optimism for a greater role for Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani after the recent decline in factional attacks against American bases in Iraq.
A senior American official for the 964 Network :
At first, the Americans believed that the Iraqi call for a rapid withdrawal from the country was just talk to calm a boiling cauldron within the rivalries of the Shiite parties.
An internal memorandum about Sudanese
There is an internal memorandum circulated by the US State Department (days after the killing of Abu Taqwa al-Saidi) that stated that Al-Sudani specifically told Washington that he did not want the forces to leave, but he issued the call for calm internally, and we wait to see what happens.
Biden and the State Department disagree with the Pentagon
There were heated discussions between the State Department and the Pentagon about the Iraqi invitation (not a request), which aimed to formulate the appropriate way to deal with it, to prevent going towards an uncalculated path in the region, and not to deal with it as a fait accompli. They said: We will not go out under the threat of someone putting a gun to our heads.
The Pentagon was very eager to take quick field positions. They spoke the Askar language and had a 250-year-old doctrine. They were opposed to careful political balancing, and ultimately the last word came from President Biden.
Circus rope
Foreign policy makers were saying that the Sudanese president is facing a complex crisis, between the escalation in Gaza and the critical balance with Iran. Between them was a circus rope, and he had to be careful not to fall. In this sense, those concerned with the Iraqi file in Washington were drawing up uncertain plans, and the military did not like them.
Why is it dialogue and not negotiations?
What happened in Baghdad in early January was not a negotiation at all. This is a mistranslation of what we do. We did not negotiate, nor did we sit at a table in Baghdad with negotiators. What happened were technical discussions to develop our mission in Iraq.
Even after the end of the first round, we were very clear that a list of specific goals was being implemented according to a plan and schedule, and would not be affected by the discussions, which I repeat were not negotiations, and will not be.
What General Fowl told the Iraqis
Before the first talks session, attended by General Joel Fowell, we told the Iraqis that you are capable of confronting terrorist groups, but that you alone are less effective and need an additional budget to cover the costs of our absence.
We spoke with the Iraqi government about the risks. We told them that we were hearing highly valuable perspectives on assessing threats, and that there were partners of the government (outside the coordination framework) who believed that ISIS was not the biggest concern now, and they knew what threat we were talking about.
Now the Iraqi Prime Minister feels less pressure as a result of the factions' retreat from attacking the bases, and we hope that his plan to extinguish the boiling cauldron is going well.
The Prime Minister told (INA): We are working to send the 2024 budget schedules to Parliament, and the salary scale needs in-depth study.
INA Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani announced that 40 decisions had been taken during four Council of Ministers sessions related to various service projects that had been lagging for years, while he indicated that amending the salary scale needs to be amended and 34 canceled between a law and a decision.
Al-Sudani said in a press conference held after the Council of Ministers session attended by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), “In the last four sessions, we focused on issuing decisions regarding spare orders for lagging projects, and in light of these decisions, most of the reasons for stopping the projects are being resolved, some of which have been since 2008 onwards.” Pointing out that “the Council of Ministers issued approximately 40 decisions for various service projects that have been lagging for years.”
He added, "The continuation of lagging projects is a loss, a loss, legal problems, and a disruption to a service that must be provided to the citizen," stressing, "Today we approved the electronic payment system, which is one of the most important reform steps in transforming financial transactions."
He continued, "We established strategic partnership agreements with European Union countries, and we started with France, and we authorized the Foreign Minister to sign a similar agreement with Britain," noting: "In the visit of the Spanish Prime Minister to Baghdad, we set a ceiling within the year 24 for the strategic partnership between Iraq and Spain."
He went on to say: “We agreed in Munich with Italy to solve a problem that represents an obstacle to bilateral cooperation, and it is a problem dating back to 1985 related to one of the previous contracts. We also agreed with the Netherlands to form a joint council for cooperation, which will be an umbrella between the two countries in various files, and its most important committee is the Agriculture Committee.” And water, and we explained to the representatives of Dutch companies the business environment in Iraq, and we sensed a real desire for partnership with Iraq,” stressing, “We focused in Munich on the issue of transitioning the relationship with the international coalition to bilateral relations.”
He stated: “We raised issues related to the recovery of Iraqi funds and those wanted in corruption cases, and we raised the matter with the US Deputy Attorney General,” noting that “our positions towards the Palestinian issue were present in Munich, and the international community and its institutions failed to stand up to the scale of the devastating crime committed by the occupation authorities.”
He added: “We renewed our position of rejection of making Iraq an arena for settling scores or exchanging messages, and the interest of Iraq and the Iraqis is above all considerations,” explaining that “On February 7, the first annual report of the government program was approved in the Council of Ministers session. It was drafted in its final form.”
He stressed that “the number of executive procedures for the government program is (438) procedures, out of (653) of the entire program, and there are (287) urgent procedures (improving services that cannot wait),” noting that “(72) procedures are to address unemployment, and ( 36) to combat corruption, (33) measures to support poor groups, (19) measures to reform the financial sectors, and (1108) ministerial activities on the path to implementing the government program.”
He pointed out that “307 measures were implemented by entities not affiliated with a ministry in the process of implementing the government program, and (2,326) measures were implemented by the governorates,” pointing out that “the total percentage of ministries’ achievement according to the indicators is 80%.”
He continued: “We completed the governorate council elections, and 4 Important legislation and 17 draft laws have been referred to the House of Representatives, and there are 10 pieces of legislation under implementation.”
He pointed out that “in the focus of the political agreement, which the House of Representatives voted on, the number of steps completed is (54) steps, and (27) steps are under implementation, as well. We have completed handing over the security file to the Ministry of Interior in the governorates. Al-Muthanna, Al-Diwaniyah, Wasit, Babylon, Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf, Dhi Qar, Salah Al-Din.”
He went on to say: “We allocated (600) billion dinars to the service and engineering effort team in 2023, and it was able to provide rapid services in large areas,” stressing, “We opened 8 hospitals, and it is hoped during the current year to complete the rest of the hospital projects, which are among the lagging projects.”
He continued: "We have begun implementing the health insurance law, and we have opened more than 125 general and specialized health centers, and they have been equipped with equipment and supplies," noting: "We have completed all requirements to establish 15 new hospitals, with a capacity of 100 beds, and are currently in the process of completing invitations to specialized companies."
He pointed out that "the important achievement in the health sector was the localization of the pharmaceutical industry," noting that "the pharmaceutical allocations in the budget increased by 300 billion dinars, to 1.6 trillion dinars."
He confirmed, "680 contracts were concluded with national pharmaceutical factories, and the proportion of contracts for local supply was raised from 144 billion dinars, to 383 billion dinars," noting that "285 national pharmaceutical products produced by Iraq were registered, and the (Pharmaceutical Council) was formed for integration between the sector." Public and private pharmaceutical production.
He explained that "most of the road and bridge projects in the governorates are lagging projects, and we gave them momentum in implementation, and they began to take off, and we began the first package of projects to relieve traffic congestion, and the coming months will witness the opening of most of them, and there is careful and daily follow-up of them," pointing out that he "saw the basic design." The city of Baghdad was amended in accordance with the change in land uses, so that we can begin new residential cities.
He went on to say: “We laid the foundation stone for the Al-Jawahiri City project, and signed contracts for Ali Al-Wardi City, which is the largest in the history of the Iraqi state, and includes more than 120,000 housing units,” noting that “the new Sadr City is currently in the process of issuing invitations, after it was completed.” Qualification of companies specialized in infrastructure.
He pointed out that "the state will take a percentage of the housing units for the new cities, and they will be distributed according to a system approved later so that they are available to all citizens," stressing that "the current year will witness a major achievement in the school sector, in particular the 1,000 schools project in accordance with the Iraqi-Chinese agreement."
He pointed out that “the Iraq Fund for Development will soon announce 400 schools, according to the Fund’s vision, to be implemented by the private sector,” noting that “the year 2023 witnessed the completion of (443) school buildings, the restoration of (2118) schools, and the expansion and addition of classrooms for (324).” School building.
He stated, “The production ceiling for electrical energy reached 26 thousand megawatts, and we opened a project to develop working gas units, and installed 40 cooling systems in 8 stations, which increased production,” stressing, “We completed 48 electrical conversion stations to remove bottlenecks in the transportation and distribution sector.”
He continued, "We have completed the installation of 79 secondary stations, and the signing of maintenance contracts with Siemens and GE, and next summer the maintenance of the stations will be carried out and carried out by these two companies, which were previously established by them."
He pointed out that “in the social care sector, the food basket included 7 million citizens, and the measures target 10 million citizens classified below the poverty line,” indicating that “(818,104) thousand families were included in social protection, on 6 meals, and the total number of families covered by care reached Social 2.1 million families.”
He stated, “We issued 900,000 smart cards to those included in the protection network, and it is part of extensive social research procedures that also provide detection of violators.”
He continued, "We began networking between the Ministry of Labor and the Ministries of Education and Education, to coordinate the payment of cash aid to students from families included in the social protection network."
He pointed out that “262,607 citizens were included in the salary allocated for a full-time employee, and children with diabetes were included in the care salary,” stressing that “the Fund to Support the Poorest Governorates has begun identifying the projects required to alleviate poverty.”
He stated, “In the field of economic and financial reform, the three-year budget was presented, the Iraq Fund for Development was approved, and funds were organized in the state through the unified treasury account,” noting that “perpetuating the digital transformation and activating the Institutional Restructuring Committee, and we are in the process of making important decisions at the heart of Real reform.
He continued: "We have placed sovereign guarantees in the budget law and provided them to the private sector, which is an unprecedented step," noting that "decisions to protect Iraqi products continue, as well as simplifying procedures in the issue of preparing the business environment for investors."
He explained: “We have come an important way in making trade clear, and all of our trade today passes through the electronic currency platform, and through the audit of the K2 company,” adding: “The anti-corruption measures at this stage are professional and are implemented in accordance with the law without selectivity or targeting. Or political calculations.
Regarding the Al-Faw Port project, he stressed that it is “the dream project for the Iraqi economy, and the path of development will change our economic reality, and the port projects are witnessing increasing completion rates,” stressing that “Al-Faw Port will enter into work and operation in 2025.”
He continued, "In rehabilitating Baghdad International Airport, we made the correct and internationally recognized choice, in cooperation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has successful experiences in rehabilitating airports," indicating that "out of (1,453) lagging projects, one was completed and accomplished ( 490) project, which was suspended for several reasons, including spare orders.”
He stated, "For the first time in the history of Iraq's oil wealth, today we begin the process of optimal exploitation of it, and we have drawn up plans to benefit from the associated gas, and the projects have begun to be actually implemented," stressing, "We have launched integrated projects, so that the oil field contains a refinery, a gas investment project, a power station, and a petrochemical project." “It is the optimal formula for oil and gas investment.”
He pointed out that “the process of evaluating job grades, from the Director-General, and ending with the Minister, is continuing,” noting: “We started with a clear preparation plan, focusing on the outcomes of the agricultural process, and we use support to help farmers obtain sprinklers.”
He pointed out that "paying farmers' dues was a positive indicator last season, and the water situation is good this year."
He stated: "We have begun procedures for sending 5,000 scholarship students abroad to obtain higher degrees. We have also begun an integrated project to improve the armament of our armed forces, in line with the next phase of ending the presence of the international coalition."
In response to a question from the Iraqi News Agency (INA) regarding the budget and salary scale, the Prime Minister said:“The government continues to scrutinize the schedules for the 2024 budget, as the government carefully faced the deficit within the 2023 budget,” noting that “the volume of spending has increased significantly due to the presence of job grades within the 2023 budget in addition to new projects.”
He pointed out that “the 2024 budget tables will be sent to the House of Representatives to vote on,” noting that “amending the salary scale requires 34 amendments and cancellations between a law and a decision because it conflicts with previous decisions, and this requires in-depth study and research.”
He continued: "We took decisions to increase the allocations for minimum salaries so that we do not wait for the salary scale to be adjusted."
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