With a difference of 15 trillion.. Parliamentary Finance reveals the extent of the discrepancy in the budget tables before and after approval
The Parliamentary Finance Committee revealed, today, Wednesday, different schedules for the budget before and after its approval, with a difference of 15 trillion dinars.
The video for this blogpost is below here:
Committee member, Moeen Al-Kazemi, told {Al-Furat News} that: "The budget tables that arrived from the Council of Ministers and were approved inside the parliament are the same as the government tables; therefore, the letter that we received from the Council of Ministers that the tables that were referred after the vote have a big difference in some sections that reach 15 trillion dinars."
He added, "The spending budget amounts to 211 trillion dinars; but the tables that were signed by the Parliament Presidency and sent to the Council of Ministers read 226 trillion dinars."
Al-Kazemi explained, "The Prime Minister's Office sent the table signed by the Parliament Presidency, which included:
- An increase in the amount of the ration card by 5 trillion dinars.
- An increase in oil revenues by 5 trillion dinars.
- A reduction in fees by 5 trillion dinars.
- In addition to financial increases for the Ministry of Electricity and some governorates.
He added, "These increases are contrary to the tables approved by the House of Representatives, and the Parliamentary Finance Committee has no role in tampering with the budget tables, and the House of Representatives voted on the tables that were sent from the Council of Ministers as they are; But the parliament presidency signed the schedules that contained changes.”
Al-Kadhimi reassured the Iraqi people that “there is no financial harm, considering that the Council of Ministers is committed to the real schedules, not the manipulated ones, and is proceeding in its work. A committee was formed to investigate, and we approached the parliament presidency to send a copy of the schedules that it signed.”
Al-Nusairi identifies treatments for the fluctuations in the dinar exchange rate and expectations of its return to the equilibrium price in the parallel market
The advisor to the Iraqi Private Banks Association, Samir Al-Nusairi, explained today, Thursday, that the stability of the exchange rate in the parallel market will remain in a state of fluctuation until the completion of the stages of financial and banking reform.
Rafidain announces the implementation of the comprehensive system at the bank’s outlet at Baghdad Airport
Rafidain Bank announced the implementation of the comprehensive banking system at the bank’s outlet at Baghdad International Airport and the Ur branch in Dhi Qar, thus joining the branches that have activated the comprehensive system in Baghdad and the governorates, in addition to the branches of the border outlets (Zurbatiyah - Safwan - Arar - Trebil).
The bank pointed out in a statement received by {Al Furat News} a copy of it that "the number of effective and completed branches of the system has become (35) branches, in an important step to strengthen the banking system and achieve its requirements and leave paper work and move completely to electronic systems."
He stressed that "the digital transformation plan and the adoption of the comprehensive banking system are proceeding according to the set timetables to include all bank branches in the implementation of the system, especially since the priorities and adoptions of the government program include electronic transformation in financial transactions, reducing the circles of routine for citizens, shortening time, simplifying procedures, overcoming obstacles, and intensifying efforts to improve the level of services provided to customers and completing their transactions."
Iran issues Iraqi dinar to its visitors on Arbaeen
The Public Relations Department of the Central Bank of Iran announced that 3,168 bank branches affiliated with seven banks in the country have been designated to sell Iraqi dinars to Iranian visitors on the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein (PBUH), starting from July 28.
The administration explained in a statement today, Wednesday, that an amount of 200 thousand Iraqi dinars will be offered to each visitor according to the selling price of the cash exchange rate determined by the Iranian Center for Foreign Exchange and Gold.
The bank set the age requirement for Iranian visitors from 5 years and above to receive the dinar according to the mentioned price and to provide the necessary documents such as a national card or passport for that.
It is noteworthy that expectations indicate the participation of about 4 million visitors from Iran in the Arbaeen pilgrimage ceremonies of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) this season.
61.2 billion dinars, the profits of the Development Bank during the first half
The International Development Bank announced its financial results for the first half of this year.
The bank recorded revenues of 123.5 billion dinars, a growth rate of 55.7% over the same period last year, while expenses amounted to more than 62.2 billion dinars.
The bank achieved a net profit of 61.2 billion dinars, a growth rate of 101.3% over last year.
The bank's deposits grew by 20% during the first half of the current year, reaching 2.4 trillion dinars, after it was 2 trillion dinars.
The bank's loan portfolio reached 1 trillion dinars, and the bank's assets increased by 23% to reach 3.2 trillion dinars.
The bank has retained earnings of 114 billion dinars.
Central Bank Under Wide Criticism After Failure To Control Exchange Rate
The Central Bank of Iraq announced today, Wednesday, the total sales of foreign currency through the electronic window. The window recorded the total amounts of transfers abroad (remittances, credits) at $267,587,912, while the total cash sales amounted to $7,050,000, bringing the total to $274,637,912.
The Central Bank set the selling price for transfers and cash at 1,310 dinars per dollar, while documentary credits and international settlements for electronic cards were set at 1,305 dinars.
The Central Bank of Iraq is facing widespread criticism from various economic and political circles due to its current policies and its inability to control the exchange rate of the dinar against the dollar. Under the government of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who decided to reduce the exchange rate to 1,320 dinars per dollar, the Central Bank was unable to actually control the price, which led to the emergence of a parallel market benefiting private banks that were described as similar to shops for exchanging dollars.
The instability of the exchange rate and the emergence of the parallel market have increased pressure on the Iraqi economy. These private banks are one of the biggest beneficiaries of the current situation, as they can buy dollars at lower prices than the official market and sell them at higher prices in the parallel market. This situation leads to economic instability and increases the burden on citizens who face rising prices due to the fluctuation of the exchange rate.
These problems reflect the weakness of the Central Bank of Iraq’s management and the inability to take effective measures to limit the influence of the parallel market. Many experts believe that the Central Bank needs to adopt more stringent policies and coordinate with government agencies to achieve tangible economic stability. The current situation requires serious steps to narrow the gap between the official and parallel markets and ensure price and exchange rate stability.
It is imperative that the Central Bank of Iraq strengthens oversight of the financial market and takes strict action against banks that exploit the situation to make illicit profits. The Iraqi government must also support the Central Bank through comprehensive economic policies that contribute to the stability of the local currency and the strengthening of the national economy.
The biggest challenge facing the Central Bank of Iraq and the Iraqi government remains achieving economic stability and ensuring fair distribution of opportunities and resources among all segments of society. Addressing the problem of the exchange rate and the parallel market requires joint efforts from all concerned parties to reach radical and sustainable solutions.
Iraq and America issue a joint statement on security cooperation...and postpone the statement on the withdrawal of the coalition
The US Department of Defense and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense led the second US-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue in Washington, D.C., on July 22-23, 2024, where they affirmed their commitment to security cooperation and the shared interest in regional stability.
The two delegations discussed, according to the joint statement, “a range of bilateral security issues within the framework of the 2008 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, and in recognition of our comprehensive partnership.
Defense Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and representatives from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, U.S. Central Command, the Department of State, and National Security Council staff.
The Iraqi delegation, led by the Minister of Defense, also met separately with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, the Director of the Counter-Terrorism Service, the Deputy Commander of the Joint Operations Command in Iraq, and other senior defense officials.
The U.S. and Iraqi delegations affirmed their commitment to developing Iraq’s security and defense capabilities and their determination to deepen security cooperation across a full range of issues to advance the two countries’ shared interest in Iraq’s security and sovereignty, and in regional stability.
The 2024 Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue builds on discussions held during the visit of the Iraqi-Sudanese Prime Minister to Washington, D.C. in April of this year and the inaugural Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue last summer.” During the first Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue, the two sides decided to establish a bilateral Higher Military Committee to analyze three factors—the threat from ISIS, operational requirements, and the capability levels of the Iraqi Security Forces—to determine the future of the international military coalition in Iraq.
The Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue continued on the basis of the work of the Higher Military Committee over the past six months and in recognition of the upcoming tenth anniversary of the Global Coalition’s military mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq.
A detailed joint statement on the future of the Global Coalition’s mission and presence in Iraq is scheduled to be issued shortly after the conclusion of the Higher Military Committee.
The United States and Iraq intend to continue consultations on strengthening bilateral cooperation to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS after more than a decade of cooperation between the Global Coalition and Iraq.
The Joint Defense Board noted the historic achievements of the Coalition in Iraq and paid tribute to the millions of victims who have fallen at the hands of ISIS, including the hundreds of thousands who have suffered in the campaign to defeat ISIS in Iraq, such as members of the Iraqi Security Forces, including the Peshmerga, and partner forces around the world, including the United States.
The two sides emphasized the importance of Iraq’s continued support for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Syria and around the world.
In addition, the delegations reached an understanding on the concept of a new phase of the bilateral security relationship, which includes cooperation through liaison officers, training, and traditional security cooperation programs.
The delegations also discussed efforts to build the operational capacity of Iraqi security forces through U.S. military assistance and security cooperation programs, including through Foreign Military Sales and Foreign Military Financing. The two sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to ensure the sustainability of U.S. military equipment used by Iraqi security forces.
The two delegations emphasized the value of professional military education and technical training programs and decided to enhance both. They
also explored opportunities to expand Iraqi participation in regional military exercises led by U.S. Central Command and to strengthen Iraqi military relations with U.S. Central Command service component commands.
The two sides also decided to begin work on a Memorandum of Understanding to provide an enhanced framework for their bilateral security relations in the coming years, including mechanisms to ensure the enduring defeat of the terrorist organization ISIS.
In support of Iraq’s sovereignty and security, delegations emphasized that the advisory mission is in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government to support the Iraqi security forces in the fight against ISIS and to support and develop Iraqi security forces, including Kurdish security forces.
The Iraqi representatives affirmed their absolute commitment to protect US and Coalition personnel, advisors, convoys, and diplomatic facilities.
Delegations discussed the continued urgent need to return displaced persons and detainees currently in northeast Syria to their countries of origin and to support reintegration efforts into local communities in Iraq. Repatriation operations represent an important line of effort in the ongoing fight against ISIS.
The successful completion of the second Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue underscores the two countries’ commitment to deepening bilateral security cooperation in all areas, including but not limited to the Iraqi-led enduring defeat of ISIS and security cooperation efforts. The U.S.-Iraq bilateral relationship enhances regional stability and represents both countries’ commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Framework Agreement.
Vigilant Guardian"... Harmonious Supervisory Cooperation to Guarantee Citizens' Deposits in Iraqi Banks
At the heart of the Iraqi financial system, the harmonious cooperation between the Banking Control Department and the Iraqi Deposit Insurance Corporation (ICDI) is evident as two fundamental pillars in the edifice of financial stability.
Despite the apparent overlap in their duties, a deeper look into the details of their roles reveals a precise functional integration that ensures the safety and strength of the country’s banking sector.
The Banking Control Department’s mission is to supervise and closely monitor banking institutions operating in Iraq. It acts as a vigilant guardian that ensures strict adherence to applicable financial and accounting standards. The department’s responsibilities extend to assessing banks’ financial performance and ensuring their compliance with relevant banking laws and regulations, particularly with regard to liquidity and solvency requirements. In times of crisis, the department intervenes decisively to contain the repercussions and provide the necessary support to maintain the stability of the banking system and prevent its collapse.
On the other hand, the Iraqi Deposit Insurance Corporation (ICDI) plays a pivotal role in protecting and ensuring the safety of public deposits. It is a safety net that protects savings from loss in the event of a bank going bankrupt. By providing guarantees on bank deposits up to a certain limit, ICDI instills confidence in depositors and encourages them to save and invest in banks instead of hoarding, which contributes to increasing the liquidity available to the national economy, thus driving growth and development.
The integration between the Banking Supervision Department and the ICDI lies in the harmonious distribution of roles and tasks that ensures the achievement of the ultimate goal, which is to preserve the banking system and enhance its stability. While the Department plays the role of the “guardian” that monitors and guides, the ICDI plays the role of the “safe haven” that protects and provides reassurance. This precise functional integration reflects the close cooperation between the two institutions, and demonstrates that their roles are not conflicting, but rather complementary and harmonious to achieve a common goal, which is to protect deposits and ensure their successful and safe use by banks.
The Iraqi experience is the best evidence of the effectiveness of this integration. Following Iraq’s accession to the International Association of Deposit Insurers, the country witnessed a significant improvement in the stability of its financial system, and a significant increase in the volume of bank deposits, indicating the growing confidence of citizens in the banking system. These positive results confirm that close cooperation between the Banking Supervision Department and the ICDI plays a crucial role in achieving the desired financial stability.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that the integration between the Banking Control Department and the Iraqi Deposit Insurance Corporation constitutes a model to be emulated for constructive cooperation between state institutions. This integration contributes to achieving the common goals of protecting depositors’ funds, enhancing financial stability, and driving sustainable economic development in Iraq.
Saleh: The Central Bank's dollar reserves are solid and the GDP rate is very optimistic
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed the cohesion of foreign reserves, especially the dollar, at the Central Bank of Iraq.
Saleh told Al Furat News Agency, "Covering urgent expenses in dollars, as they represent the desired demand for foreign currency, in addition to the level of sufficiency of incoming foreign currency flows and the level of maintaining the country's reserves of the total foreign currency held by the Central Bank, is subject to two main factors."
He explained that the first factor is "the nature of the oil asset cycle, which is still at its highest levels of global price increases due to the strength of global demand for energy, and that economic expectations indicate that potential price fluctuations towards a decline are still out of reach and are largely linked to the end of military operations in Ukraine, and the return of the flow of Russian gas and oil, especially to European markets, as the Russian Federation is the second largest oil-producing country in the world and leads the production and export of gas to major consumer markets in the European continent directly."
The other factor, according to Saleh, “is related to the surplus in the current account of the Iraqi balance of payments, as estimates issued by international financial institutions indicate that this percentage of the surplus in the current account of the Iraqi balance of payments to the country’s gross domestic product is no less than {positive 6%}, which is a very optimistic positive percentage.”
He explained that "both factors indicate the cohesion of the country's foreign reserves, which are generated by high oil export revenues to date, versus control over outward cash flows of foreign currency to meet local demand for imported goods, services and foreign benefits, as the current account of the balance of payments indicates that it is in a positive and stable position and is consistent with the general budget's spending tendencies during the current fiscal year 2024."
Washington expresses readiness to provide assistance in digitizing Iraqi government reports
KBR , an American company specializing in engineering and technology solutions, offered its services in digitizing Iraqi government reports, storing and retrieving data .
The Prime Minister's Media Office said in a statement received by "Mil" that "Al-Sudani met today, Wednesday, with a delegation from the American company KBR, which specializes in engineering and technological solutions, contracted with the government through the Ministry of Planning in the field of providing consulting for major projects implemented by the government, in the presence of the Minister of Planning, the Minister of Construction, Housing and Municipalities, and a number of consultants ."
The statement added, "The meeting witnessed a review of the company's work, which includes supporting the Ministry of Planning in technical, economic, legal, commercial and other tasks, evaluating projects and feasibility studies, in addition to supervising implementation, as a number of projects were referred to the company for study. These are strategic projects planned by the government within its program and policy that aims to develop the economy in all its sectors, which helps in diversifying sources of income and achieving economic development whose effects are reflected in all development sectors ."
He stressed that "the American company expressed its readiness to provide assistance in digitizing government reports, storing and retrieving data, as well as working with the Iraq Development Fund to simplify reports and subsequent procedures, in the field of attracting foreign investments, increasing the level of partnership between the public and private sectors, and identifying financing options for major projects ."
Advisor to the Prime Minister: (Achievement Bonds) encouraged safe investment of public funds
Today, Thursday, the Prime Minister’s Advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, identified the importance of achievement bonds, while explaining the nature of government borrowings.
Saleh told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The annual general budget usually hedges during implementation against some slowdown in cash flows for temporary and emergency reasons," indicating that "on this basis, the budget hedges by resorting to short-term borrowing by issuing annual treasury transfers at a specific interest rate, and commercial banks mostly invest their money in holding these sovereign bonds to ensure the sustainability of cash flows for the general budget."
He added that "short-term government borrowings are called bridge loans and are practiced by the financial authorities under the budget law at all times and places," noting that "the general budget policy today, in its investment aspect, is moving towards ensuring the availability of a stable financing lever that guarantees the continued implementation of the investment budget clauses in the country without interruption."
Saleh added that "the announced issuance of the (Enjaz Bond) amounting to 1.5 trillion dinars targets the public's savings, especially those dormant balances that lie outside the banking system and outside the mechanisms of the national savings cycle, which is consistent with encouraging the virtue of safe investment by the public of their cash balances and with sovereign debt instruments with high guarantees and returns, and at the same time facilitates the trading of those financial instruments (Enjaz Bond) for buying and selling in secondary financial markets and provides the bond holder with the ability to convert the debt instrument (Enjaz Bond) into cash at all times when needed with ease and high guarantee."
The Central Bank of Iraq issues a warning regarding the “one million dollar” bills
The Central Bank of Iraq warned, on Thursday, against the promotion of commemorative notes in the denomination of one million US dollars that are used to defraud and defraud citizens.
The bank's media office stated in a statement received by "Al-Eqtisad News" that "the security and regulatory authorities are pursuing the people who promote these commemorative notes and taking legal action against them," noting that "the highest denomination in circulation for the US dollar is the $100 denomination."
He pointed out that "the aforementioned commemorative note is not circulated in the global currency markets as it was issued by the American Millionaires Association. This note is not considered currency as it was not issued by the US Federal Reserve and does not represent any financial instrument. It is used for gifting purposes only."
In February 2020, the Central Bank of Iraq warned against circulating the one million dollar bill because it is a non-cash note.
Because of the Central Bank”.. Commercial activity in Iraq drops to less than 80%
The head of the Iraqi Economic Alliance, Adi Al-Alawi, revealed today, Wednesday, that the trade movement in Iraq has decreased to less than 80%, with a complete paralysis in trade exchanges as a result of the monetary policy of the Central Bank of Iraq. While he confirmed that the latter was not successful in more than 90% of its decisions, he said that the United States has gradually lifted its hand from supporting the Iraqi economy.
Al-Alawi said in statements followed by “Al-Jarida” that “the instability of the exchange rate is normal because the Central Bank of Iraq did not think about the needs of trade with the banned countries and China outside the platform, which exceeded 43 billion dollars annually,” indicating that “the Iraqi negotiator did not deserve this title because he made the US Federal Reserve believe that there was no parallel market.”
Al-Alawi pointed out that “the commercial movement in Iraq has decreased to less than 80% with a complete paralysis in trade exchanges as a result of monetary policy, and that the Central Bank of Iraq was not successful in more than 90% of its decisions that caused the paralysis of the private sector and the escape of profits from foreign investments without follow-up, while the United States gradually lifted its hand from supporting the Iraqi economy, and this is a negative indicator, because we do not have a vision for managing monetary and financial policy.”
Exchange companies in Kurdistan send a message to the Central Bank: Reopen our headquarters
In December 2020, when the Central Bank invited exchange companies in the Kurdistan Region to merge, it promised them many advantages, including a traveler's auction window and allowing them to open branches in the rest of Iraq's governorates. The Kurdistan Exchange Companies Association's representative contributed to delivering the invitation to the companies, stressing the importance of the merger, its benefits, and what it brings to the companies. In our belief in a unified monetary policy in the country and regulating this sector similar to the rest of the governorates.
The companies trusted the Central Bank and there were five to ten companies that responded to the invitation and many, many companies followed them. The bank thanked them for responding to the invitation and their good intentions and promised them that it would seek to complete their transactions in record time and make them an elite group of companies that were slow to respond to the invitation. Since the beginning, they have been taking serious steps to complete the merger requirements. After more than two years and a long wait for the on-site inspection committees that the companies had been waiting for for more than 7 months, in December 2023, after they arrived and were given approvals for the powers of the main headquarters, and after the companies breathed a sigh of relief, the shock came. The strange thing about the matter is that in the same letter, the companies must stop practicing their work and close their headquarters until they obtain the initial approvals.
For another 7 months, the companies that responded to the invitation, which are well-intentioned and the elite, as the Central Bank called them, are still paying the price for their great trust, and they are incurring huge financial losses every month in the millions of dinars in rents, employee salaries, and taxes, as well as losing their customers and reputation after the closure decision.
The Central Bank of Iraq should immediately reopen the headquarters of these companies and allow them to carry out their work to cover their expenses and play their real role in serving their customers. Restoring confidence in this sector is essential to ensure its stability and growth.
Ahmed Jaf
, representative of the Exchange Companies Association in the Kurdistan Region
Economist: The Iraqi banking sector has achieved significant growth
Today, Thursday, the head of the “Iraq Al-Mustaqbal” Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations, Manar Al-Obaidi, confirmed that the Iraqi banking sector has been able to achieve growth in many areas during the past period.
Al-Obaidi said in a tweet followed by “Al-Eqtisad News” that the data of the Iraqi banking sector between 12-31-2022 and 5-31-2024 indicate that the banking sector, despite all the challenges and shocks it faced during this period, was able to achieve growth in many areas, specifically in financial inclusion, as well as an increase in bank assets and maintaining the volume of deposits despite everything that was raised about the sector.
Al-Obaidi published a table showing all the figures related to the Iraqi banking sector between December 13, 2022, and May 31, 2024.
Below is the table published by Al-Abidi:
this is interesting...
Black Money" Fuels Investment Stock Exchange.. Countries That Prospered with Looted Iraqi Money
Former MP Manar Abdul Muttalib, on Thursday (July 25, 2024), identified the features of black money in the Iraqi investment stock exchange, indicating that this money stolen from the Iraqi treasury has revived the economies of several countries .
Abdul Mutalib said in an interview with Baghdad Today, "There is no accurate figure for the amount of money looted in Iraq after 2003, but all indications indicate that it is hundreds of billions of dollars, some of which was smuggled abroad and some of which was turned into support for building economic wings for parties, forces and companies ."
She added, "The investment environment in Iraq is going against the trend in the world in that anyone with $100,000 can invest in a project worth $100 million. This is a paradox, especially since the state provides the land for free and it builds with customers' money, especially in housing projects that represent a fertile environment for attracting money ."
Abdul Muttalib pointed out that black money (referring to corrupt and looted money) “exists in all sectors, including investments, but the possibility of uncovering it is difficult and complicated because there is no money in the names of politicians. However, seeing the level of prosperity and extravagance and comparing it with their situation years ago gives an indication of the extent of corruption .”
She explained that "corrupt funds were smuggled to neighboring countries and were thrown into large investment projects that revived the economies of several capitals, to the extent that those countries do not actually cooperate with Baghdad in order to clarify the fate of Iraq's funds because they benefit in different ways," indicating that "searching for Iraq's previous funds is difficult, but the most important thing is to reconsider the investment file and make it within a scope that serves the country's economy and to approve serious steps to combat corruption in order to preserve what remains of the country's wealth ."
President of the Republic: Security and stability in Iraq inspire optimism
President of the Republic Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid stressed, today, Thursday, that the security and stability witnessed by Iraq inspires optimism and requires everyone to unite to maintain it, while he appreciated the efforts of the Iraqi embassy cadres in France to facilitate the procedures required for Iraq's participation in the Paris Olympics.
The media department of the Presidency of the Republic said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The President of the Republic visited the Iraqi Embassy in Paris, where he met with Ambassador Wadih Batti and the embassy staff."
The President of the Republic appreciated - according to the statement - "the efforts of the embassy staff regarding Iraq's participation in the Paris Olympics and facilitating the required procedures," stressing "the importance of strengthening them towards serving the Iraqi community residing in France, and strengthening Iraq's relations with France as an important global vital center."
The President stressed "the Presidency's keenness to strengthen Iraq's foreign relations and build its partnerships at various levels and its steps towards restoring Iraq's natural role as an influential force and a positive factor in achieving peace and stability."
The President of the Republic reviewed "the conditions witnessed by Iraq in more than one field," explaining that "the security and stability witnessed by Iraq inspires optimism and requires everyone to work together to sustain it."
The President explained that "many positive steps have been achieved in the human rights file through the Presidency's cooperation with the relevant authorities, which resulted in the release of 13,000 detainees," noting that "there are clear laws regulating Iraq's position on various humanitarian issues."
For his part, the Ambassador appreciated "the interest of the President of the Republic and his kind directives and comments in order to enhance the role of the embassy in providing the best for the Iraqi community."
The region lags behind "electronic systems".. Transactions are still paper-based and the authenticity of the issuance is "effective"
Today, Thursday (July 25, 2024), the member of the Kurdistan Justice Party, Ribwar Muhammad Amin, criticized the delay of the Kurdistan Region in switching to electronic systems.
Mohammed Amin said in an interview with Baghdad Today, "Residence institutions are still backward and do not follow the electronic system and rely on old mechanisms and the paper system."
He added, "So far, there are no electronic communications between ministries and institutions. Also, until now, employees and retirees receive their salaries through the bank. There is also a delay in the financial system, and institutions need to be updated."
Amin pointed out that "until now, institutions are still working using the "barcode" method, while most institutions in Iraq and the countries of the region have started working using the "barcode" method, and this indicates the backwardness of the system in the region."
Last year, the Prime Minister’s Advisor, Fadi Al-Shammari, announced that all ministries were directed to accelerate the process of automating their work, while he confirmed that the government had begun serious steps towards implementing e-governance.
Al-Shammari said, "The government has begun serious steps towards implementing e-governance," adding, "We have now asked all ministries to accelerate the procedures for automating ministerial work."
He added, "The process of governing ministries, agencies, financial and tax institutions, customs, ports, and the Central Bank, and gradually linking them with digital banks, will give a new character to the work and method of the government's management of its institutions and joints."
He pointed out that "a set of strategic options and vital goals have been put before us as a government, and we are moving forward with them with strength," stressing, "We have no choice but to succeed."
The Minister of Finance issues a directive regarding citizens' transactions
Today, Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Taif Sami, issued a directive regarding citizens' transactions.
The Ministry stated, in a statement received by the “Al-Ma’louma” Agency, that “Minister of Finance, Taif Sami, held a meeting with members of the subcommittee to simplify government procedures for citizens in the Ministry of Finance.”
The Minister urged "redoubling efforts to improve the quality of government services provided and facilitate citizens' access to their rights and fulfillment of their needs in the various formations and joints of the Ministry, in addition to emphasizing strengthening the principles of transparency and accountability in its work."
Sami directed the concerned committee to "work to merge some similar procedures to facilitate citizens' transactions, in addition to reducing the number of documents required, and converting some services to electronic ones."
She stressed "following up on the implementation of the agreed-upon procedures, with the need to adhere to the timetables specified for their implementation and ensure their effectiveness in serving the Iraqi citizen."
MILITARY
American procrastination and Iraqi insistence.. Parliament announces: Foreign forces cannot remain - Urgent
Today, Wednesday (July 24, 2024), the representative of the Al-Fatah Alliance, Mukhtar Al-Moussawi, praised the government’s insistence and seriousness in resolving the issue of expelling foreign forces from Iraq.
Al-Moussawi said in an interview with "Baghdad Today", "The Iraqi government headed by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is serious and determined to end the file of removing foreign forces from all Iraqi territories as soon as possible, and for this reason it is negotiating with the American side at a very high pace."
He added, "Certainly, the American side is seeking to procrastinate and delay, but in return there is an Iraqi government will to resolve the issue, supported politically and popularly, and it is not acceptable in any way for any foreign force to remain under any name."
Although it was announced that ending the mission of the international coalition in Iraq was one of the most important topics of Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington, which took place in mid-April, the bulk of the talks, discussions and signed memoranda of understanding focused on creating or moving the relationship from the security aspect to other development aspects, but it did not include ending security cooperation completely, while American statements deny any talk or intention to withdraw completely from Iraq.
urgent4 missiles fall on Ain al-Assad base
Four missiles fell on the Ain al-Assad base, west of Anbar Governorate.
Reuters quoted security sources as saying, "Four missiles fell on Ain al-Asad air base."
This is the first targeting of the base in months, which includes international coalition forces and American military advisors.
A security source in Anbar, Iraq, told Alhurra’s correspondent that Ain al-Assad air base, west of the province, was subjected to a missile attack on Thursday evening.
The source, who refused to reveal his name, said that the attack involved four missiles that were likely launched from a nearby area, and that at least two of them fell in the vicinity of the base, without knowing the extent of the losses resulting from the attack, or the party behind it.
The source added that the security forces began searching the areas near the base from which the missiles were expected to be launched.
Reuters also reported the same news, citing two security sources, who indicated that four Katyusha rockets were fired at the Iraqi Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts US-led coalition forces, late on Thursday.
The sources confirmed to the agency that two missiles fell inside the base and the other two fell in its vicinity, adding that it is unclear whether they caused casualties or damage.
The attack comes two days after a military meeting hosted by Washington, where Iraqi and American officials discussed ending the coalition's work after a decade of its formation to fight the Islamic State group and repel the group's invasion of Iraq and Syria.
No significant statement was issued at the conclusion of the talks, although American and Iraqi sources say an announcement about the start of a gradual withdrawal is likely in the coming weeks.
Iraqi political and military factions allied with Iran are pressuring the country's government to quickly scale back the coalition's work and say they want all 2,500 troops to leave.
Washington and the Iraqi government say they want to move to a bilateral security relationship that would likely see some troops remain in advisory roles.
Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have targeted bases housing US forces in Iraq and Syria dozens of times since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out on October 7.
Pentagon: No US personnel injured in Ain al-Assad base bombing
A spokesman for the US Department of Defense "Pentagon" confirmed today, Friday, that an attack took place in the area near the Ain al-Assad air base in Iraq, but no US military personnel were injured as a result of this attack.
The spokesman said, according to Sputnik Agency: "We can confirm that the strike was carried out in an area outside the base (Ain al-Assad) and there were no damages or injuries."
He added: "At this time, we do not have information about what shells were launched and how many."
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